Restoring my Call

God calls, we respond, The Church affirms..so it has ever been. Living into my ordination was always inter-active. Listening is at heart because the ministry is the "breath of Jesus-via The Spirit, in the Church making real in our times what God has proclaimed true.

2-6 years, if ever

Living sober, renewing my relationship with Joetta and my kids, securing financial issues left unaddressed in the workaholism of mission, obeying the discipline of the Church are all active steps in making room for Jesus Church to re-affirm my call.

Critical is simply staying in touch, receiving guidance, owning my betrayal and what it says of me. To that end, in the last year and 4 months I have met with my current pastor and friend Rev. Paul Johnson, his father-a retired District Superintendent, my son and Pastor (whom I tragically betrayed), and most significantly my WAPAC District Superintendent (Rev. Jerry Kester-who sadly passed away) and my interim WAPAC Superintendent, Rev. Randy Craker.

1st Steps:
Met with Jerry twice; excellent, caring, probing, respectful dialogue

Met with Pastor Paul twice; have had the privilege at a slow and somewhat intermittent pace both engaging and hiding (emotionally) in this very safe place. Worship is superb, Pastors messages feed a hungry soul, his support without judgement.

Met with my son on numerous occasions (WSCN Director of Development Project & Fire Restoration) and familial settings. I genuinely don't know how he has handled so very well the impossible deck I dealt him. He has chosen to be pastoral and a son; allowing time to assist with the anger, hurt, sense of isolation.

Significantly, I'm quite properly out of the life of the Church and its board save a small 3 person working committee for Development & Fire Restoration.All communications go through him or his executive admin, which is Joetta. Shaun, Joetta and I have, I think, respected one another's dignity in all. There is an unspoken bond, which is both what makes it work and makes it very painful for each of us.

God has been incredible simply working in such unusual ways in the church. This event resulted in neighbors and friends of the church pouring out gifts of service and presence. Because of both my and his community Missional presence several neighbors are active in mission, leadership, (worship, park development, emotional support) who have never been in a church in decades if ever. All without displacing our lay and ministry staff already present. Honestly, it's been painfully fun to watch from the outside.

The Divine call is forever and ever redemptive. ”for God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable. For God has bound everyone over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all.“
‭‭Romans‬ ‭11‬:‭29‬, ‭32‬ ‭NIV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/111/rom.11.29-32.NIV