And yet, that's what Exploration is all about...because it works.
Sometimes, we need to be shaken out of our routine, pushed to deal with face to face conversation about vocation and call, prodded to meet others from across the connection who are wrestling with the same kinds of questions you're dealing with.
- "I can 'do ministry' alongside my regular job...but I can't stop thinking about ministry as a vocation..."
- "Everyone tries to talk me out of wanting to be a pastor, saying it's too hard...but I think I'm called to local church ministry as an elder. What do I do?"
- "All I want is to actually meet someone who is already doing justice work...then maybe I can make sense of this inner voice pushing me to servant ministry as a deacon..."
- "I think I'm supposed to go to seminary...but where in the world do I go to start making a decision?"
- "How do I know God is calling me?"
- "What does it mean to be a young adult and to be called to ministry? Does that even have a hashtag?"
Look, Exploration is a weekend away from your normal life. It's not quite a retreat...because it's a lot more intense. You'll have access to a variety of workshops, small groups led by seminarians, fulfilling worship, a seminary fair (meet with all thirteen United Methodist seminaries! In one room!), a meal with your annual conference, information-filled plenary sessions...and the grace-filled energy of hundreds of other young adults thinking about the very same questions you're wrestling with.
I felt my own call to ministry when I was in high school. Who called me on the journey of ministry? A lot of people.
- God. It was a strange warming of the heart, paired with an unmistakable (and yet terrifying) sense of direction. And then gradual nudges over and over through the years.
- My pastor, who generously gave me remarkable opportunities to lead within my local church.
- Congregation members who treated me with respect and who allowed me to serve them.
- Professors in undergrad and seminary who shaped my mind and pushed me to critically think about my faith and the practice of ministry.
- My husband. Funny story: on my commissioning paperwork, there's a place for spouses to write about their support (or lack thereof) of their spouse's intent to seek ordination. I gave him the paper and he gave it back to me the next day. What did he write? "I support my wife in all she does." Oh. Wow. Thanks. That said it all.
- Clergywomen who walk alongside me.
- The persons who funded scholarships through my schools and the United Methodist Church that allowed me to pursue higher education without also gaining a crushing debt load.
- Classroom colleagues who were on their own paths. The practice of discussing ministry, theology, ethics and biblical studies with others who are just as passionate about those topics is a special and holy thing. And a privilege.
I've been serving in professional ministry since 2000, and today I'm an ordained deacon in the West Ohio Annual Conference. Juan Huertas (@spiritstirrer) and I are co-chairs of the Exploration 2013 Design Team and we both hope to see you in Denver this November 15 through 17.
And if you're worried about the cost...there are registration scholarships available. No excuses, friends! Can't wait to see you.
Other resources:
This blog post is part of the Exploration 2013 synchblog calling ordained and commissioned clergy to talk about “who called you on your journey of ministry?” Join the synchblog (even after today!) here.
Exploration is a three-day event for young adults age 18-26 to hear, discern, and respond to God’s call to ordained ministry and to explore their gifts for service as a deacon or elder in The United Methodist Church. If you have sensed God might be calling you to ordained ministry, wondered what ministry in The United Methodist Church is all about, would like help sifting through issues involved in an ordained vocation, or want to learn more about The United Methodist seminaries and theological schools, this gathering is for you. Sign up today.
