CROSSING THE COMMONWEALTH

So, I know my four readers were wondering why I haven't been posting. The answer is quite simple: I've been in Virginia.

I spent a week driving through much of the Commonwealth, visiting Candler friends (Mr. Willson, Mr. Woodworth, Rev. McNabb, Sister and Sister's Mom, Ms. Diggory) and Wake friends (Rev. Whalen and Trammell) as well as seeing the sites (pictures to come).

The official purpose of my visit, however, was a District Committee on Ordained Ministry meeting, in which clergy and regular ole church members quizzed me on my call to ministry, the reasons I wanted to transfer into the Virginia Conference (I was previously a candidate in the Holston Conference, which covers a sliver of Southwest Virginia, East Tennessee, and a nook of North Georgia), and other questions about my own life and experience of faith over twenty-seven odd years.

DCOM meetings, which consist of both clergy and laity members and exist as a means for districts to examine candidates for ministry (deacon, elder and local pastors) and ideally help them discern how to fulfill their call to ministry, can range from spectacular to snorefest. Fortunately, this meeting was not one of the snorefest variety.

In fact, the District Superintendent was incredibly complimentary and gracious in welcoming to the meeting, yet also helped me perfect my Bill Clinton impression (the tip - biting your lip a little.) The questions from the committee were both challenging and thought-provoking, including these nuggets:

- "Is good news to the poor" something you do, or is it ministry?
- "How does an experience in a homeless shelter translate to life in a local church?"
- "I am the new head of my evangelism team at church. What should I do?"

These questions and more made me think, challenging me to articulate theology and how it is lived out. Apparently I answered OK, because I was approved as a transfer candidate.

My reward: The chance to apply for commissioning, a year-long process of examination, which after glancing at the requirements, may be the end of me. If successful, I will be commissioned as a probationary elder in Roanoke in June. Hope to see some of you there.