Ministry: A Mix of Terror and Joy

KEYSTONE, CO (June 23, 2005) - What can we learn about ministry from a boat, lots of water and a bunch of scared disciples?

Well, for one thing, that being called into ministry in the body of Christ is an experience filled with terror. That is not only the personal experience of the speaker during this evening's Service of Ordination and Commissioning, it also is a sense that should pervade the heart and soul of anyone daring to enter full-time ministry, says Judith P. McCullough, pastor of Covenant Congregational Church in Boston, Massachusetts.

Using the story of Jesus's rescue of his disciples in a boat during stormy weather as her text, McCullough urged the candidates for ordination and commissioning to look at ministry and their call to service through the lens of the disciples. The candidates were among those participating in the third and final worship service as part of the 120th Annual Meeting of the Evangelical Covenant Church at the Keystone Conference Center.

Noting that among the candidates, some are beginning their ministry careers, while others are mid-career or making mid-life changes, she reminded them that each one of them said "yes" to God's call on their lives. She likened that response to that of the disciples in the gospel text.

"They were sent by themselves out onto the lake while Jesus went alone to pray," she noted. "Jesus knew that the wind was blowing and that the disciples were in the midst of the wind and storm – and he went to deliver them." She recalled the story of Jesus walking out on the water towards the boat to reach them, and as he started to pass by the boat, the disciples saw him, but did not recognize him - and they were terrified. "Jesus said, 'Do not be afraid' as he climbed into the boat. The wind died down and the terror abated."

One reason she is drawn to this particular text is an important lesson she says has been foundational in her own life and ministry: Being called into ministry in the body of Christ is filled with terror. "Like the disciples in the boat, we experience fear, and at times terror. Why is this so? Despite knowing that I am called by God, I ask who I am to be entering another person's life? To be with a family at the time of death? To hold that little baby at baptism? Or sit with a woman who decided to abort her child? To be with the family of a man who committed suicide? Or with the couple married 65 years – and one of them is dying?

"And, every Sunday, who am I to take this living, breathing word of God and say anything?" she continued. "No matter what our feelings, it is God who passes by – and we sense terror. And Jesus says, 'It is I – do not be afraid.' God's hand touches the moment and the Holy Spirit whips through."

Acknowledging that all engaged in ministry are human, she noted that there are times when it feels like the work goes unfinished and there's nothing left to give. "And then, like the disciples, we find Jesus has climbed into our boat and the wind has died down. Jesus makes his presence so human – he understands the terror and brings calm."

The second lesson she draws from the passage is that the real work goes on inside the boat – that is where the disciples encounter their terror and experience the miracle of Jesus's presence that calms the storm. "The work in the boat – called the church – is hard," she observed, "struggling with folks who want to major in the minors while there is a world out there needing Christ. But, as Jesus was always aware of what was happening with the disciples, so he is aware of our situation, too."

McCullough finds it curious that those closest to Jesus – the disciples – didn't know him; yet, when the boat reached shore, "the ordinary folks knew who he was" and they brought others to see and hear him.

"It is comforting to know when I am working hard and I don't see him passing by, that others around me see Jesus at work," she observed, noting that in ministry, part of the task of rowing the boat is to get out of the way and allow God to move in mighty ways.

Each person has their own terrors – "it is important to know what they are and understand them," she declared, revealing a personal terror from her past while growing up and realizing there were no women in ministry. She recounted a number of incidents that sent a familiar message – women need not apply when it comes to ministry, and especially the pastorate.

"I was told it is okay to be an associate pastor, but not a senior pastor," she said in characterizing that period in her life. "Women aren't pastors," she was often reminded. She recalled a time when, as a pastor participating in a Catholic funeral mass, she was refused communion because, as the priest explained, the Catholic Church didn't recognize the ordination of women.

She then shared her long journey in dealing with the anger she felt as a result of repeated discrimination and a most unusual encounter with God during a communion service, "when God spoke and told me to take courage – 'It is I, do not be afraid.' "

She encouraged the candidates to "embrace this new phase of your journey with joy, but know there will be times of terror. Then, paraphrasing the words of the Apostle Paul, she admonished them that whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lonely, admirable – "if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think on such things."

Following her message, Bibles and stoles were presented to eight candidates for commissioning, five candidates for ordination to specialized ministry, 35 candidates for ordination to word and sacrament and 13 candidates for finalization of transfer of ordination. The accompanying photo shows ordinands pronouncing the benediction. To read the names of those commissioned and ordained, please see Candidates.

The evening's activities were under the direction of the Department of the Ordered Ministry, with executive minister David Kersten presiding over the service and vows administered by President Glenn Palmberg. Numerous others assisted during the service, including Carol J. Lawson, director of staff ministry; Heidi M. Wiebe, pastor of Evangelical Covenant Church in Oberlin, Kansas, and chair of the Board of Ordered Ministry; Monty R. Newton, pastor of Heritage Community Bible Church in Arvada, Colorado, and a member of the board; Mary C. Miller, vice president for administration with the ECC; Gary B. Walter, executive minister of Church Growth and Evangelism; Doreen L. Olson, executive minister of the Christian Formation; and Dwight A. Nelson, pastor of Libertyville Covenant Church in Libertyville, Illinois, and secretary of the board.

Sharing duties in placement of the stoles on each individual were Thomas A. Verdorn, a lay member of the Board of Ordered Ministry, and Sharon Cairns Mann, a member of the Commission on Biblical Gender Equality. Music for the evening was provided by organist Roberta Lange of First Covenant Church in Cadillac, Michigan, and the Front-Range Singers, directed by Mary Cunningham of Arvada Covenant Church in Arvada, Colorado. The stoles were designed and created by Christine Deichtley of South Bend, Indiana. A special guest for the service was Jorge Julian Perez, president of the Federation of Colombian Covenant Churches.

(Editor's note: McCullough will retire following this Sunday's worship service at Covenant Congregational Church after 11 years as its pastor.)

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