It is good reformed theology to say that the call of God is extended to all members of a congregation. That God can call a person to be a lawyer or a laborer in equally valid form as God’s call to be a clergy. There are a special category of people who fit somewhere in between those called to be pastors and those called in what we often refer to as the secular dimensions of our society. These are those who have received theological training and in most cases have been ordained within their particular denomination, but choose to exercise their gifts in some form of ministry other than that of the congregation.
Some exercise their ministry in the familiar structures of chaplaincy or a counseling ministry. Others work in social service agencies that minister to the poor or needy in our society. Still others find their calling in law, medicine, business, etc. Yet each understand themselves as practicing their calling. Unfortunately, they are often neglected by their denominational structures and do not receive the corporate nurture from colleagues who are also ordained. For the next several days, I want to explore how we can nurture the health of those involved in specialized ministry.
I will be exploring this in the framework of the Presbyterian structure but it can easily be adapted to other denominations. The main thesis is that as a corporate church, we need to honor and affirm these servants of God as well. As we do so, we strengthen the whole body.
