Statement of Ministry
Each day, I consider it a privilege and gift from God to be an ordained minister of The Episcopal Church and serving in The Episcopal Church In South Carolina. Because God has blessed me with this calling, I believe it is important to continually development my leadership skills. One of the ways I accomplish this, is reading what other spiritual leaders have written about their own understanding of ministry. A theologian that I have found wisdom and insight from is Henri Nouwen. Mr. Nouwen was a spiritual thinker, and one of the first theologians in our modern time, to consciously develop a "theology of the heart" for both clergy and lay persons. He showed a generation of ministers, teachers and seekers how one's gifts are to be placed at the service of those whom God places in their path.
“Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?” (BCP - Pg.305)
This question in the Baptismal Covenant speaks to me each time I ask and answer the question. The question convicts me to live out my faith not only in my parish, but also in the local community and world. The first three words “Will you seek” is a call to action. I am pledging to be an active leader, Christian and witness in God’s world, by representing the love and compassion of God in every part of my life. Seeking challenges me to venture beyond my comfort zone, and to prayerfully discern God's calling in my life. As I take risk in ministry, I know that I am not alone. Through prayer, faith and devotion the Holy Spirit is with me. In order to “seek and serve Christ in all persons” means that I must not serve just a few, those who believe as I do or people that are closest to me, but love all that are created in the image of God. Pursuing unity, engaging in cooperative ministries and continued mutual respect for each other, is always a goal of mine. I pray that all Christians are seekers of God’s Grace, love, forgiveness and reconciliation.
Throughout my 28 years of ordained ministry, I have proven to be a leader that enjoys collaborating with parish leadership to create new and exciting ministries. A skill that helps me to be a visionary leader is listening. I enjoy listening to different perspectives about how people think and believe. Then with honesty and integrity, seek to incorporate what God has spoken to all. Seeking unity in ministry allows everyone to take ownership in the parish and know their voice counts. What emerges from this process are energy, vitality and renewed purpose seeking a common goal. Ownership, cooperation, witness and church growth are ministries, I believe in deeply.
To maintain a Godly perspective about leadership, I lead from a deeply faithful and prayerful position. Prayer allows me time to listen to God, discern God’s will and feel secure in the decisions, I am making collaboratively about the parish. Prayer brings the peace of the Lord in my life and helps me to remain a “non-anxious presence” in a quickly changing world. Prayer helps me to remember, I am called to be a servant of Jesus Christ, serve God's people and build God's kingdom. The apostle Paul reminded the Corinthian church about their calling to serve in 1 Corinthians 3: 9-11. Paul said this, “For we are God’s servants, working together; you are God’s field, God’s building. According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building on it. Each builder must choose with care how to build on it. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one that has been laid; that foundation is Jesus Christ.” Paul is reminding leaders of the Church and all of us, the Church belongs to God and we are stewards this gift. As ordained ministers and lay leaders we must function in God's Church in the posture of servants. I pray with God’s help and guidance, that I am always this type of leader.
“Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?” (BCP - Pg.305)
This question in the Baptismal Covenant speaks to me each time I ask and answer the question. The question convicts me to live out my faith not only in my parish, but also in the local community and world. The first three words “Will you seek” is a call to action. I am pledging to be an active leader, Christian and witness in God’s world, by representing the love and compassion of God in every part of my life. Seeking challenges me to venture beyond my comfort zone, and to prayerfully discern God's calling in my life. As I take risk in ministry, I know that I am not alone. Through prayer, faith and devotion the Holy Spirit is with me. In order to “seek and serve Christ in all persons” means that I must not serve just a few, those who believe as I do or people that are closest to me, but love all that are created in the image of God. Pursuing unity, engaging in cooperative ministries and continued mutual respect for each other, is always a goal of mine. I pray that all Christians are seekers of God’s Grace, love, forgiveness and reconciliation.
Throughout my 28 years of ordained ministry, I have proven to be a leader that enjoys collaborating with parish leadership to create new and exciting ministries. A skill that helps me to be a visionary leader is listening. I enjoy listening to different perspectives about how people think and believe. Then with honesty and integrity, seek to incorporate what God has spoken to all. Seeking unity in ministry allows everyone to take ownership in the parish and know their voice counts. What emerges from this process are energy, vitality and renewed purpose seeking a common goal. Ownership, cooperation, witness and church growth are ministries, I believe in deeply.
To maintain a Godly perspective about leadership, I lead from a deeply faithful and prayerful position. Prayer allows me time to listen to God, discern God’s will and feel secure in the decisions, I am making collaboratively about the parish. Prayer brings the peace of the Lord in my life and helps me to remain a “non-anxious presence” in a quickly changing world. Prayer helps me to remember, I am called to be a servant of Jesus Christ, serve God's people and build God's kingdom. The apostle Paul reminded the Corinthian church about their calling to serve in 1 Corinthians 3: 9-11. Paul said this, “For we are God’s servants, working together; you are God’s field, God’s building. According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building on it. Each builder must choose with care how to build on it. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one that has been laid; that foundation is Jesus Christ.” Paul is reminding leaders of the Church and all of us, the Church belongs to God and we are stewards this gift. As ordained ministers and lay leaders we must function in God's Church in the posture of servants. I pray with God’s help and guidance, that I am always this type of leader.