Well, Dee has completed the written portions of her comprehensive exams. She is relieved to say the least, even though she doesn’t know her score as of yet. Overall, she feels pretty good about the tests.
Since we visited Georgia this past week, in order to be with Grandaddy who had a heart procedure, and given the fact that Dee’s exams pushed her into study overdrive, we are still in the process of unpacking, rearranging, etc. in the new house. Things are coming along quite well; just taking a good bit of time. And lil’ Oz (our Yorkie, of course) is adjusting. I think he likes the new place much better.
I’ve tried to dig into quite a bit of reading here lately. On the menu for the next several weeks is Justification (N.T. Wright), Jesus and the Eyewitnesses: The Gospels as Eyewitness Testimony (Richard Bauckham), and re-reading Theology of Hope (Jurgen Moltmann). I’ve still got to finish People of Bread (Vondey) and Satan and the Problem of Evil (Boyd), but my teachings at the church have pushed me into the previously mentioned works at the moment (to finish the latter two in the not-too-distant future).
These last few weeks I have been pondering the call of God regarding ministry. What does it mean to be “called to full-time ministry?” Are all Christians called to such? How has professionalization affected our understanding of the call of God to minister to others? Is our ordination processes in accordance with the biblical witness? How does one decide which organization (denomination) within which to serve? How does the church safeguard brothers and sisters from venturing into areas of ministry that may not be a good fit? Amongst others…
I recently spoke with a young man who is stepping into a new place of ministry. He was explaining to me how he had so many differing opinions from folks in his life concerning his upcoming ministry move. Yet, I could tell that his deep desire was to hear the voice of God amidst the many voices. And it’s not to say that God doesn’t speak through others. We referenced Proverbs 11.14 – “Where there is no guidance, a people falls,
but in an abundance of counselors there is safety” (ESV). However, it is to wonder how God deals with certain people and reveals to them their purpose. A shrub ignites for Moses; a theophanic vision engulfs Isaiah; a confrontation from Christ blinds the apostle Paul. So many throughout the Scriptures seem to have overwhelming manifestations of God’s presence and direction. Yet, what of today? From time to time, we hear of momentous encounters with God experienced by our sisters and brothers. But is there room for subtle, intensifying calls? If so, how do we discern such?
Peace,
Shannon
