|
| Author | Topic: Get to know your Pastor |
| Pastor Eric |
posted 3/8/07 8:31 PM
Pg. 16 in the Lutheran Handbook: "Ask your Pastor to share with you why he entered ordained ministry."There are a lot of stories in my life that I can share that point to my calling as a minister. I often talk about that sense of call that trumped my own opinion that Pastor's had to be overweight, bald and geeky (I am convinced if I had choosen another profession I would be fit, have all my hair and be seen by all as "cool").But the story that was most influential on my decision is a bizarre twist in Lutheran history. In the mid 80's banks were paying high intrest rates on savings, and even on checking accounts in Pa. Melon back was the largest financial institution and to pay this rate of intrest they took steel workers money and invested in Japanese steel. Eventually Japanese steel started cutting into American markets and putting US steel workers out of work, especially in the Pittsburg area. Melon bank which had a hand in displacing these workers was now also forclosing on homes of steel workers who had lost their jobs.The Lutheran church at that time formed a Christian coalition to protest the work of Melon bank and other investors who hurt American workers. It was called Denominational Ministry Strategy (DMS for short). In short their tactics got out of hand and became overly confrontational. Meanwhile back at Indiana University of Pa. I was studying Philosophy in preperation of Seminary and Economics, in preperation for not going to seminary. My senior year, Economics majors were invited to interview for jobs on campus with, you guessed it, Melon Bank. While I didn't like DMS for putting dead fish in bank night deposit boxes, I couldn't see myself telling Joe Lunchbox "It's a shame you lost your job, now we are going to take your house too."I suppose that it why in ministry I have always kept a hand in matters of the poor. I worked at Faith Mission a homeless shelter in Columbus, a soup kitchen in Atlanta, and an economic development group in East Toledo, as well as the Helping Hands of St. Louis. I believe the church has a message that is particularly meaningful for those who are struggling in life, and Christians have an opportunity to make a difference when we reach out to these people. Too often we think about getting people "like us" into church, instead of people that we can help.But this question isn't just for pastors. How would any of the rest of you describe God's call for you to be in your career of choice? |
| Becky |
posted 3/15/07 1:50 AM
interesting...mine's not so interesting, but I did always know I wanted to be a mom. I was complaining to a friend of mine from high school who went on to have a successful career as a physical therapist but is now a stay-at-home mom. She told me not to get down on myself that we're doing what we always knew we wanted to do. I'm sure God had a hand in that.Plus, I'm not particularly ambitious. |
| Trish |
posted 3/17/07 8:09 PM
I guess I don't really think of my job as a career choice. I got a job that was close to home so it was convenient when the kids were small. Luckily I didn't get transfered further away until after they were older and could be home alone without needing much help. I always liked office work over physical work, although I don't mind getting dirty when the job calls for it. Now that I am older I find I am having interests where I never thought I would and wish I had known earlier where my interests would lead. I might have made some different decisions about schooling and such. When my job gets me down, I try to remind myself that GOD puts you where you are for reasons that you might not fully see or appreciate, and I try to learn from the experience. (althought I must admit, HE is hard to read sometimes!) |
| Karen |
posted 3/20/07 5:27 AM
I knew in 6th grade that I wanted to be a teacher; the question was what would I teach, and I figured that out in high school when I thoroughly enjoyed all the business education classes. So, I became a teacher and taught for 22 years. I'm not sure if God had a hand in that career choice because once it was in my head that I wanted to be a teacher, I never considered anything else. But He sure has had a hand in everything since then. I ended up going on disability retirement 7 years ago, and since then I have tried to figure out how I ever found time to work full time. These days I just kind of "stumble" into one thing and then another where I can volunteer using talents I never knew I had. First I took a few computer related classes. Then I started doing computer and video things around church and then I started doing computer and video things for Hands of Grace. Later I started playing "mini concerts" on my trumpet for the adult day centers run by Hands of Grace. Currently, I am helping a retired Lutheran pastor with his website at www.ramblingsfromron.com. None of these things were ever planned in advance. I find it interesting that I seem to get much more fulfillment out of these volunteer jobs than anything I've ever done in my life. It feels more like I'm doing things God wants me to do these days. I think it's neat how what could have been a bad thing (going on disability because of bipolar disorder) has turned out to be a good thing by giving me the time to become involved with these other things. God's hands are certainly all over that. |
|
|