The Journey Thus Far

Ok, now that the ordination service has passed, it is now time to go back and reflect on the entire process.

Ordination Council:
In the end, it wasn't too hard. The questions were fair and it was easier being able to play off of Brian's answers and he mine.

The first question was fair but went directly to the question of the daycare without actually asking about the daycare. It was, "Has there ever been a time where you did not give your all in your ministry?" I answered truthfully -- yes. If you have been reading this blog for any time, you know that I fight a funk that could be called depression (although I see it more as a lack of faith in the ability of God to use me through my weaknesses) and I have had a hard time allowing myself to take risks and put myself out there to have my heart stomped again not only by those around me who will tear my failures apart but from my own high expectations.

Another question I was asked was if I felt ready to be a senior pastor yet. I answered no. God has not called me to be a senior pastor at this moment. A lot of people in primary and youth ministry are there as a place holder to learn the ministry until a position comes up that they can be behind the pulpit. I am content where God has me now. I look at my life and see God making provision after provision, training after training and gift after gift that have prepared me to be in children's ministry and if I was ever to become a senior pastor, it will be a work of God to change and grow me into that position. When I was first called to the ministry at 9 years of age, I always thought I'd take Rob Zinn's place at Immanuel (which runs about 8,000 right now.) I don't have the credentials to do that right now, nor really the heart and definitely not the calling. I do have the calling to be where I am right now though and with that, I find contentment with the Lord.

Other questions started with a lot of situational questions. Then we got some theological questions, such as to explain the trinity (!!!), what do you believe about the Bible, and do you believe that the gift of tongues is still around today? Overall, it was a good session and Brian and I were able to help each other indirectly. And they never really got into the Baptist Faith and Message.

The Ordination Service:

Before the service, Pastor Dale asked me if I would like to give my testimony first or second, before or after Brian. Not being a dummy, I said before Brian because I wouldn't want to have to follow him up. Brian is a fantastic communicator and a gifted preacher who I am going to love to see continue to improve and one day will be the leader of some mega-church somewhere (I keep threatening him with that.)

The service itself was fantastic. It started at 6:30 pm. By the time the laying of hands started, it was about 7:30. 45 minutes laster, we stood up. The prayer took 45 minutes, but while kneeling there, it only seemed like moments... maybe 20 minutes. It surprised me. If you read my previous blog, you remember how much I was concerned about kneeling for that long (it really wasn't knee problems, it was back.) Well, we were given chairs to steady ourselves so it wasn't a chore. I will tell you though that my elbows hurt after because I was putting enough weight on them so my back wouldn't hurt.

My friend, Tom, was probably the 5th person to pray over me. His prayer got me tearing up a little. Then, probably 15th or so, my dad walked up. The chair received a good watering. I know my dad has been changed into an emotional man, but growing up I never saw him cry and he had a hard time communicating feelings of love (it has passed down from generation to generation with the father showing his kids love by providing for them -- very cultural thing.) He told me that when I was first born, he held me in his palm and prayed that God would use me and make me His own in service and that tonight, God was answering that prayer completely. It's got to be something to see what God does over 34 years to answer a simple prayer over a baby to see His faithfulness. He was overwhelmed and his voice cracked, he was crying and of course, with him crying, I was too. When he finished praying, I had to stand up (which I'm not sure is kosher in the middle of being ordained) and had to hug him for a little bit. I'm not entirely sure he was comfortable with the PDA in front of the congregation because I could have stood there all night hugging him but he had the determination to continue to Brian to pray for him too. I haven't heard what people thought about that (except Eric who thought it was great) but really, I'm not really concerned if they thought it was sweet or overly emotional. It was what I needed to do at that moment.

So, when we stood up, Pastor Dale mentioned some changes, which in reality aren't too significant. Brian and I can put the abbreviation "Rev." before our names now. We can go visit prisoners anytime we want, even outside of visiting hours, by bringing our ordination certificate with us, and if we ever get to lead the inauguration prayer, we would be at the left hand of the president instead of the right as the government of the United States recognizes a minister of the Gospel a higher office than even that of the president. Brian may have that chance one of these days :)

After the service:
We had carrot cake and chocolate cake with strawberry filling at a small celebration after. Brian and I had to take a few hundred pictures next to the cakes, with our ordination certificates, with our families and wives and with Doug (the pastor who gave the charge to the candidates) and Pastor Dale and this person and that. I didn't mind the pictures. Brian said someone may get confused and think Brian and I are getting married by the amount of pictures though :-O
It was good to get to talk to people and really good for my friend Eric to make the trip out from Glendale to be part of it. I've known Eric since 1994 as we met in the Navy. Eric is the only person I keep in touch with on a regular basis from my Navy days (I have communicated with Chaplain Bartz a couple of times.)
When the celebration finally ended, Eric and I walked to my office where I hung my ordination certificate next to my license to preach the Gospel and I couldn't help but think that this is a work of God. Who would ever think that a guy who isn't so smooth talking in groups of people, who has so far to go to be a spiritual giant, and who just loves kids and teaching them about Jesus would have these two certificates on his wall? It is a work of God and not a push by me.

I am running out of time (and I continued this from last night as it was.) I need to make another post but will do that when I have some time either tonight or tomorrow.

God is good. All of the time.