Not
every inclination which seems good to you should at once be obeyed;
nor should every contrary emotion at once be avoided.
Thomas
a'Kempis, The Imitation of Christ, Book 3, Chapter 11
What
Thomas is talking about here is the process of discernment. This is
most often attributed to people who believe they have a calling to
ordained ministry. Once that calling is articulated the local parish
creates a discernment team and they, along with the existing clergy,
walk with the person through the process in order to validate the
perceived call. It is a long and arduous process; but, done
correctly, is also a valuable and healthy experience.
But
we miss the point, I think, if we only apply that discernment process
to people feeling called to ordained ministry because we can use it
in so many other areas. A young person looking to start a career may
want to have a team to help discern a life direction. An older
person looking to begin a second career, start a business, or pursue
some dream, may want to have a team to help sort that out.
And
it doesn't have to be big, major decisions for which a team is
created. Are you feeling called to volunteer in any number of
opportunities in the community, or whether or not to accept a new
position within your current career? Having someone (or someones) to
help walk you through that process can be invaluable. The point here
is that, by taking time to evaluate, taking time to discuss, taking
time to pray, can lead you to make the right decision for all
involved.
Several
weeks ago I asked someone to serve in a particular capacity. It took
about two weeks of this person talking with me, with others who had
been previously involved, with the spouse, and maybe with a few
others, before an answer was given. I was asked, “Are you upset
that this took so long?” I answered, “No, of course not. But I
would've been concerned had you given me an answer, any answer, the
moment I asked you.”
We
are about one-third through the summer season. On September 10 we
will hold a ministry fair in Trimble Hall after both services. Here
you will have the opportunity to see all that goes on at St. John's,
from Adult Education to Worship (A to W was the best I could do), and
you will be asked to consider participating in one or more of these
ministries. But that is not the time to begin thinking about how and
where you can offer your particular skills, talents, and passions for
the benefit of St. John's – the time to do that is over these
summer months so that when you are asked to participate in the fall
you won't feel surprised and make an uninformed, undiscerned
decision.
As
we move through summer, be thinking about the needs of St. John's and
how your skills, talents, and passions might be used for the benefit
of this arm of the Jesus Movement. Do you sing, like working with
children, have a good reading voice, want to include newcomers, cook
or bake, or any number of other things necessary for keeping the
church body healthy? Be thinking about these things. Talk them over
with friends or other people who have experience in that area. Or
maybe ask other people in the parish, “What do you think I have
that the church could use?” Do some discernment.
And
when asked, you won't necessarily give an immediate assent or
declination, but can give an honest, “Let me think about that.”
Blessings,
