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Becoming
a Pastor, an Alban Institute Special Report
on Transition into
Ministry
Consider the
last time you crossed an important threshold. Perhaps you began a new
career, entered or ended a significant relationship, moved to a new city
or school. I hope you had someone trustworthy to help you navigate the
transition, that you weren’t left completely alone to “figure things out
for yourself.” Times of transition can be life-shaping or life-sapping
and often the difference is having a community of support willing to
offer a hand and share its wisdom.
Our
congregation is just such a community for Cathy Chang, Becky White Newgren,
Susan Sytsma Bratt and
Graham Ford. They each are at a
crossing point in their lives as they have completed their seminary
training and are taking the step into congregational ministry. This is
the time when habits are formed, identities are shaped, and calls are
challenged. By giving them the time and space to practice ministry and
helping them reflect on their practice, we are walking across this
threshold with them. And as they minister to us and allow us to mentor
them, they help us live into our calling as a congregation that
continually learns and teaches what it means to both follow and lead.
As
the report shows, we are not alone in this work but are part
of an intentional network of mentoring communities concerned with how
people navigate the transition into ministry. It is worthwhile reading,
both informative and inspiring. And I am grateful that we are part of
the story.
David Van
Houten
Program
Director
Transition in
Ministry at BMPC
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