Call Stories
During this time after Epiphany our scripture lessons will focus on the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry. We will hear about the calling of the disciples and Jesus’ first sermon in Matthew’s gospel—the Sermon on the Mount. In these first two months of the new year, we will wrestle with what does it actually mean to follow Jesus.
The time after Epiphany is one of my favorite seasons of the year to preach. I love the stories of Jesus’ calling of the disciples and his building of the ministry team that will journey with him. I find the Spirit coming alive in these passages offering so much for us today through them. Following Jesus has never been easy. It’s always been a little strange and left people scratching their heads.
Reading, studying and preaching the disciples’ call stories always reminds me of my own call story, too. This Wednesday will mark the 13th anniversary of my ordination into the ministry of Word and Sacrament. Some days of ministry have been just what I expected while other days have been far from it. Being a pastor—specifically, being your pastor—continues to be my “dream job.”
As I reflect on the calling of the disciples, my own call and our ministry together at Abiding Presence, I cannot help but wonder who else among us God might be calling into the ministry. Could it be you?
In celebration of Abiding Presence’s 40th anniversary a few years ago, we launched the Abiding Presence Fund for Leaders in Mission Scholarship. We are currently working to build an endowed scholarship that will provide financial support for members of Abiding Presence and others to attend an ELCA seminary to become a pastor or deacon. We want to ensure that not only Abiding Presence, but also the whole ELCA has faithful and innovative pastors and deacons to lead them into the future. This is one way that Abiding Presence is working to make a lasting impact on the larger church.
Just as it did when Jesus called the disciples long ago, the church continues to need people willing to say, “Yes,” to God’s call.