Ordination

Well, it’s official. We are no longer seminarians, or even unemployed. We are now called and ordained ministers, pastors of Becks Lutheran Church in Lexington, NC. The worship service last night was an incredible experience. We aren’t entirely moved yet – that’s another story, which is a continuation of Ray’s last post. But for now, we have a temporary home near the church and are settling into life as pastors of this congregation.

While packing up things on my desk in Columbia, I came across a copy of the Final Exam for Ordained Ministry which one of our classmates brought to class during the last week or two of classes last spring. The author is unknown, so I can’t give credit where it is due.

I certainly am glad we didn’t actually have to take that exam, as it was two pages of questions like this: “2,500 riot crazed aborigines are storming the classroom. Calm them. You may use any language except Latin or Greek.”

Here’s another favorite: “Estimate the sociological problems which might accompany the end of the world. Construct an experiment to test your theory and then defend it.”

Finally, the extra credit question: “Define the universe. Describe your impact on it. Be specific and give three concrete examples.”

These would, of course, be impossible questions to answer. And I know that in the days ahead, we will be faced with questions and tasks and situations that would be impossible if we were left to our own devices.

That is why we give thanks for God’s presence with us on every step of this journey. We know that we have been called to a place which he has already prepared for us, a place where he is already at work among his people. And we know that we will never have to answer troubling or impossible questions like these without his guidance!