Last November I posted this. Its amazing what has happened since then and what I was wrong about.
Here's a list:
- We ARE moving.
- We ARE selling our house (and hopefully soon!)
- I did NOT sell my truck (although it was listed on craig's list for a while.)
- The cat quit drinking from the fish bowl once he pushed it off the desk and murdered the fish outright.
- Honestly, I was disgruntled. CPE taught me a lot about being honest with myself.
- I did enroll in counseling class, but dropped them and focused on the CPE experience.
- I have not written any books.
- I did not work at Lowes, Home Depot, or Jiffy Lube.
I am working through how to explain the decision to work on a church staff. I've titled that unwritten piece, "A postmodern church, or the Church in postmodernity." Surprisingly (to me and others), I have a good amount of excitement and energy about being a part of the latter.
Zebulon Baptist ordained me back in 1994 when I was on staff as Minister to Youth. Serving with them part-time this summer, I have re-discovered this community of faith to be intentional, missional, liturgical, evangelical, while being a part of whatever "mainline" Christianity is. As one example, I was encouraged to teach a seminar for the 20s/30s learning community based on Marcus Borg's "Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time."
My head is still spinning about all this and I wouldn't mind some conversation partners. For those of you uncommitted on Sunday mornings in the Raleigh area, I invite you to come on out to ZBC for worship at 10:00. I preach a few times this fall (including 9/23 and 11/18) and will be "installed" on 10/21 in a service of communion. And by all means, Christmas eve at ZBC is extraordinary (at 5:30 or 11:00!) (You can also subscribe to the Zebulon Baptist podcast to hear a few sermons too.)
Sorry about the rambling. But, suffice it to say (in the words of Maya Angelou), "I wouldn't take nothing for my journey now."
3 comments:
TM,
Ali and I really are happy for you! I was surprised as anyone about your decision to be a clergyfied minister! I tell people you know about what you're doing all the time, and the usual response is, "your $#!+ing me!"
It really is interesting how this portion of your journey unfolded. those that know you and realize the counseling options you had were both good, but ali and i knew you would take the Zeb. Job if they split it up that day you told me about the tough talk you were gonna have to have with kim. We know you, and although you are a great counselor (and we do mean one of the best we've ever met), the thing that makes you love counseling, we don't think, is the counseling itself, but the counseling of people that you have relationships with. At a hospital you would never really build relationships with those that you were caring for, you are drawn to that foundation of knowing a person and caring for them all through your relationship. that is what makes you a great pastoral caretaker. every chance you get to be with someone, you work on that relationship and care for them in that moment, even when neither party realizes it. I think you would have liked the other situation, but we thought that if the pastoral care/edu. split happened then you would be way more drawn to that.
I would love to sit and talk with you about the postmodern/anti institutional attitude and where you worked past/through/or are working within that. That is something i am wondering myself, how do i meld some of that together? congrats again, and i'm really glad you're happy!
-j
I moved to Raleigh a couple weeks ago, so I'll definitely come visit when you're preaching! Preacher. haha. too bad they won't call you Preacher.
TM,
I am SO SO SO SO SO glad that you are at our church...I mean it would be nice to have you here at Campbell too, but it is so wonderful that you are there on Sunday mornings when I go home! In fact, I'm listening to the podcast of my favorite sermon that you have preached so far..the one on experiencing a holy God. I love it! We love having you back "home" at ZBC! I'll be praying for you as you begin full-time work! See you soon!
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