When does it start?

I am confirmed to begin a M. Div in Fall 2011. That is a little over a year from now. So when does my ministry start?

Here is a cliche answer: It has been going all my life.

But is that really so cliche? Theoretically, this should be the case. It is also something that we forget all too often. That hit me the other night.

I was crashing after a really long day and really just wanted to spend my evening talking to my friend and watching the basketball game. I really did not want to solve anyone else's problems. This is the reason I pretty much ignored everyone that night. But then someone started getting persistent. AIM, Facebook, phone call... I would be lying if I said I wasn't incredibly annoyed.

Then a text came in. "Do you have time to talk? I feel like I really need to talk to someone." Really?? At midnight? Couldn't it wait til... never? I did ignore the text for a few minutes, figuring I would reply in the morning and by then everything would be cool anyway. But then I started thinking...

What kind of ministry am I doing if I ignore people when they come to me and need help? I am sure Kathryn and John get plenty of those calls, and I am sure all they want to do is roll over and ignore them. But when it comes down to it, they answer.

Jesus probably didn't want to do all that he did. I am sure there were times he would lay in bed and ask God if he was serious about the plans for the next day, or even for that moment. Jesus was human after all. BUT, he went out and did it. He was there for the people, even if he would rather be fishing and alone for once.

I kept trying to ignore it, but it was nagging at me and I couldn't get to sleep. The argument of "I'm not on leadership team anymore" wasn't cutting it... I knew that really didn't matter. So I replied. As I expected, it led to a night of texts and a meeting. It may have put me out a few minutes of solitude, but it helped them.

I think that is what ministry is about, and you don't have to go to some fancy school to get a degree in order to do it. Sometimes, that phone will ring and you will want to ignore it but sometimes you can't. I think the key thing to remember is that this is such a minor sacrifice compared to others that you could be making. And you never know what you are doing for the person on the other end.

I am not saying you always have to pay attention to everyone, but it is important to take notice of when it isn't someone just wanting to say "Hi". This isn't just the phone though... it is all the time.

So, be a minister today and reach out to those that may need an encouraging word or two, even if it takes away a few minutes of your sleep.

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On the same line of when does my ministry start, I found out today that I am now considered part of the St. Paul's Triumvirate. Basically, we are three members (well, two since I transferred membership to Starmount) who are Seminarians. Rob is finishing up at Vanderbilt, Amanda just finished at Louisville (will be ordained in May), and I will be starting at Union. This is really exciting for me since I thought they were pretty upset since I am going the Presby route now (St. Paul's is Disciples of Christ). But even though I am no longer a member, and I am not going to a DOC seminary, they have taken me under their wings. It is really a great feeling to know I still have support on that end.

This of course means that I will be going to Raleigh more. Amanda has asked me to participate in her ordination (probably scripture and communion), and they have started whispering about having me do a sermon every now and then. I reminded them that I won't even start seminary until 2011 but they don't care. Kind of exciting :) So I guess that is another answer to the "when do I start" question.

The only sad thing is that Amanda will be ordained and Rob isn't too far behind (I think next spring) so once I really do start, I will be the only one and splitting my NC time between St. Paul's and Starmount (as it probably should be, except that I would much rather spend as much time as I can at Starmount).

Lot's to think about! I guess this blog will really help as I have to start throwing sermon ideas around.

I will probably update again tonight/ tomorrow since we have Guinness tonight.

Until then, God bless! And go start your ministry TODAY! :)