I had a very positive seminary experience, and graduated well prepared for pastoral ministry within a congregational context. When I reached my final semester of my M.Div. program I began to seek my first pastoral position. The search process went very much like I expected it would, and I secured a role as Associate Pastor. I managed to navigate similar discernment processes to secure positions in congregations affiliated with multiple mainline denominations for both permanent and interim positions.
Along the way, I’ve participated in other searches that I initiated as well as several that came as a surprise.
Guest Preaching
As someone who spent the first fifteen years after seminary in congregational ministry I had few opportunities to be anywhere other than in the sacred space of the congregation I was serving on Sunday mornings. When I stepped into a full-time role in higher education I finally had an opportunity to be in multiple congregations in a variety of roles, including as a guest preacher.
From Weeks to Months
In the summer of 2014 I spent four weeks as a guest preacher at Fort Myers Congregational United Church of Christ in Fort Myers, FL. In 2015 I returned to serve in the role of full-time interim pastor for nine months.
In the summer of 2017 I spent two weeks as a guest preacher at West Fork Presbyterian Church in Grand Prairie, TX. In 2018 I returned for a four month role as a visiting minister.
So What?
As a spiritual entrepreneur I’ve ministered in many ways in and beyond the context of local congregations. I’ve contributed to the common good through my work with government agencies, in higher education, and in health care. I’ve helped congregations discern and live into God’s preferred future.
Today, I’m thankful my full-time role at the Wesley Mission Center in Mansfield, TX, allows me the flexibility to continue to contribute to multiple congregations and in many classrooms. And, I’m certain the future will include a few surprises.
- Do you find most of your opportunities for ministry or do most of them find you?
- Share one challenge that exists in your ministry today that did not exist when you first became involved in this type of ministry.