Called?

Annual reports, income tax receipts, nominations, planning for Lent and World Day of Prayer, those are the things that have occupied church administrators and ministers in this past week or two. I wonder if Jesus envisioned those kinds of activities, when he said “follow me!” Yet those handling the many tasks of church organization often do feel called as they serve.  The weeks after Epiphany are filled with stories of the Holy Spirit inviting us to hear the call and to respond. Connecting passion with the tasks to be done is a skill in itself!
 
Ministers are used to thinking of themselves as being called into ministry, but I’m pretty sure when Jesus invited folks to follow him, he saw in them some everyday qualities and strengths that would be helpful in building the kin-dom of God. You may already have noted that none of these guys we have come to know as disciples were perfect. Their character flaws have been woven into the story of discipleship so much so that we are often able to see ourselves in them, yet each of them said yes. Like anything worth investing your time and energy in, the call to follow Jesus invited them to a life of adventure and meaning, if not a life of risk!
 
The idea of call is for all who choose to follow. It is not just for those in paid, accountable ministry positions. If we believe that belonging to a community of faith is important and meaningful, then we are called to be involved. Finding out how our own gifts and skills may be put to use is part of belonging. We may not think we have much to offer, but there are so many ways to serve that everyone can find their place.
 
Recently I’ve noticed self help books and speakers have attached to the idea of belonging. As humans, we are hard wired to be connected to each other. One of the beautiful things that happens in times of disaster or tragedy is that people remember that we depend on each other. We are not self made and it surprises us when we find ourselves dependant. The brilliance of the human race is that we need each other. We are interdependent, often discovering how we are called to new and interesting tasks.  Through our connections we are bound to find meaning.
 
While the January tasks may leave us feeling like we are just working, not following, it is good to remember that every ministry has days like these. Perhaps what is more significant is that churches function as organizations, and are accountable. I am willing to bet that even in the midst of these tasks, encounters with the holy are present. Without those attending to these details, and without those who answer “yes” when called, a lot fewer people would connect to the good news of God among us.
 
So let us connect human spirit, and Jesus’ leadership and commit to continue building the kin-dom. Together we can shape a faith for today!
 
Rev Donna Tourneur answers her call to ministry by working with the people of Trinity United Church in New Glasgow.