The early chapters of Acts tell the story of
what it means to live in the power of the resurrection. People hear the good news in their own
language; afflicted persons receive healing; apostolic faith calls persons back
to life; and the outward spiral of the Gospel continues. The Spirit of the Risen Christ now fuels new
insight, new expressions of discipleship, and new communities, formerly
excluded.
The lectionary text
for the Fifth Sunday of Easter narrates Peter’s awakening to God’s radical
inclusion of Gentiles. Indeed, chapters
10 and 11 of the Acts of the Apostles detail God’s desire to include the many
deemed unclean. His mystical experience
of the great sheet from heaven containing all sorts of creatures transformed
his understanding of God’s purpose, transgressing old boundaries through the
larger understanding of the scope of salvation.
I returned Friday
evening from an important colloquy at Valley Forge. Once a year the Presidents and Deans (or
other representatives) of the closely-related American Baptist seminaries
gather to learn from one another and consider how to craft collaborative
initiatives. This meeting was especially meaningful. Not only did we mourn the departure of the
beloved president of American Baptist Seminary of the West, Dr. Paul Martin,
but we also welcomed Dr. William Shiell, new president of Northern Seminary. We strive to form thick connections and be a
source of renewal for our ABC denomination.
One of the most important
aspects of our conversation was our reflection on the ways in which God
continues to call persons to service, especially those creative leaders that
propel the church to engage our broken culture.
We lament the reality that vibrant youth groups who are learning about
service often fail to produce vocational ministers. While it is very important that our Christian
identity shape whatever profession we pursue, the church always requires new
leadership. What if we believed that a
key index of congregational health is whether we are helping voice God’s call
to ministry?
Many persons do not
feel worthy of becoming a minister; if one did feel worthy, it would probably
indicate lack of humility and presumption.
Yet God includes persons who might seem unlikely candidates so that God’s
own glory might be revealed. Some do not
pursue ministry because they have witnessed too little appreciation of their
pastoral leaders, and the pay is not great, either.
As seminary leaders
we reflected on the practice of “noticing, naming, and nurturing” gifts and
aptitudes for ministry. God continues to
call persons to become faithful leaders for the people of God, and persons
usually discern this calling by the gentle guidance of those who observe their
lives. This is one more example of how
God invites us to participate in God’s own mission; we voice that call in
community, a wonderfully inclusive practice.
Molly T. Marshall
Central prepares leaders to serve God, shape church, and serve
humanity.
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