Ordination Reflection

Listening to the sermon as my grandson-in-law, Nate Patnode, was being ordained Saturday in Wollaston, my mind left the fine words from the general superintendent and I thought of John Wesley's charge to his preachers: "Preach Christ, in all his offices!"

I remember how I wondered what to "do" in my first pastorate now more than fifty years ago. What "plan," what "program," what pattern to follow. I recall thinking that I basically was to LIVE with "my people" and SHOW them Jesus as best I could.

It was not until many years later this emerged as a pattern: Jesus as prophet, priest, and king.

But not just TELL them with words!

Incarnate-- LIVE the message! An impossible task! Yes?

As prophet the pastor must tell forth the Good News. Get right with God! He loves YOU!

As priest the pastor has the privilege of re-presenting, or standing between God and his people; in the sdacraments, at the graves, weddings, and intercessory prayer.

As king? NO! That is Jesus alone- BUT the role for the pastor is SHEPHERD! That is where all the thousand nudges and encouragements and committee meetings with grace (ha) and caring-- the love for the easy-to-love anmd the LOVE for those not-so-easy comes in!

Ah-- what was that GS saying? Amen!

Nazarene Pastor's Joy

This past month I have had two granddaughters "enter the ministry" in a sense: one, Jessica, watched her husband, David graduate from seminary with honors; they hope to be pastoring soon. The other, Miranda, actually Jessica's OLDER sister, knelt yesterday with her husband as he was ordained elder in the church, having completed seminry and required years of ministry to receive this milestone of achievement and authority to preach, conduct sacrament, and lead a church.

I am proud of my entire family, every one. My highest prayer and hope is that every one of them will be where God can bless and use and love them throughout eternity. Now I have two "colleagues" in orained ministry right in the family! Maybe I can pawn off some books . . . .

Seriously, I am thrilled!!