By Jim Musgrave, Highlawn Presbyterian, Huntington
This is part of a series highlighting the Presbytery’s Authorized Lay Preacher/Commissioned Ruling Elder Program. In September, we begin a new set of Presby Prep courses, which are prerequisites for this program. Click here for more information about Presby Prep. Is God tugging at your heart to participate? Presby Prep is a great way to learn more.
Chairing the Vocations Committee, I asked the other ALP/CREs to write their stories of how they decided to pursue becoming a preacher/pastor. Then it struck me that I needed to tell mine, so here goes.
I am a procrastinator. I admit it. When I retired from the power company, I had the opportunity to begin one of the classes offered at the time, but I didn’t – thinking that someday I would. Once that opportunity was gone and I realized it, I made up my mind to take the next class. I had led Sunday school classes for a number of years and had a sense that God wanted me to be in the pulpit.
Once I finally got beyond the “someday” and began the program, I found real pleasure in preparing for the classes and really learned about the Bible, church, others and self. The next hardest question I was being asked was, “What are you going to do with this training?” I had no answer. I still can’t answer that question because I sense God leading me to go, do and be a part of different churches with different needs.
While anything but perfect, I found a real peace about serving in the congregations I have served over the past 12 years. It has been amazing for me to see God’s hand at work in placing me in callings I never would have imagined. I have loved each of the congregations and the people in them. I have made new friends along this path.
Your story will not be the same as mine, but I ask you to think and pray about God’s leading you toward the Presby Prep program.