Ministry Matters™

Calling & Career (Nov/Dec/Jan 2010-11)

There comes a time in most any important venture—be it marriage, schooling, or a career—when the rose colored glasses come off and we realize we got more than we bargained for. In ministry, those feelings of disillusionment and frustration can be complicated even further by the disconnect between our heavenly calling and our human career. We answer the call of God, but find that people are even harder to please. We teach others about Christian love and community, but feel lonely and isolated ourselves. Our desire to serve selflessly can clash with our desire for success, stability, and reward. Our understanding of God’s vision may differ sharply from others' around us. This issue explores those complex intersections between the spiritual call to serve and the practical dilemmas of a career in ministry.

In This Issue

Called to This

Called to This

By Jessica Miller Kelley
An older clergy friend of mine recently attended an event where she got to mingle with quite a few young seminarians. “They’re so eager to get out into the local… read more
Ambition in Ministry

Ambition in Ministry

By Robert Schnase
At a pastor’s retirement party, someone shared the observation that there was always “more church” when the pastor turned in his keys at the end of his tenure… read more
Itineracy and Guaranteed Appointment: Neither is the Key to Growth

Itineracy and Guaranteed Appointment: Neither is the Key to Growth

By Patricia M. Y. Chang
One of the distinctive characteristics of the United Methodist Church today is the itineracy system coupled with a guaranteed appointment for ordained clergy. Whereas other… read more
Under Pressure: How Effective is the Ordination Process?

Under Pressure: How Effective is the Ordination Process?

By Lovett H. Weems Jr. and Ann A. Michel
Integral to the understanding of ordained ministry in The United Methodist Church is the annual conference’s role in examining and approving those seeking ordination… read more
A Ladder to Heaven: God's Dreams and Our Own

A Ladder to Heaven: God's Dreams and Our Own

By Hope Morgan Ward
Jacob came to a certain place and stayed there for the night, because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones of the place, he put it under his head and lay down in that place… read more
A Mundane Calling

A Mundane Calling

By Brian Erickson
I did not mean to end up as a pastor. Whenever I tell people that, they eagerly anticipate the next thing to come out of my mouth, expecting some dramatic story about a shrubbery… read more
Pastor and Parent: Bringing Back the Parsonage Family

Pastor and Parent: Bringing Back the Parsonage Family

By Sarah J. Rohret
For the past three decades, the United Methodist Church has primarily had clergy whose children are grown and gone from the home. These empty nesters have related well to… read more
Obstacles and Opportunities in the Ordination Process

Obstacles and Opportunities in the Ordination Process

By Marilyn E. Thornton
On June 14, 2010, I was ordained an elder in full connection in the Tennessee Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. As one who for many years had delayed in officially … read more
Helping them Hear the Call and Prepare for the Career: Raising Up Young People for Ministry

Helping them Hear the Call and Prepare for the Career: Raising Up Young People for Ministry

By Julie Peters
  In a time when the mainline church, including the United Methodist Church, is facing aging congregations and decline in membership, it becomes even more apparent that we… read more
The Poinsettia Perspective

The Poinsettia Perspective

By Rebecca W. Dolch
Perspective is everything. Our experiences are colored by our point of view. Take the Christmas poinsettias. If you look at the poinsettias from the perspective of being in the… read more