Ordination

9 years since I felt called
3 years since I was sent
and mere days since I was given peace.

Processing in with 25 pastors dressed in white and yoked in red there to support the proclamation of the church—that faith comes by hearing, eating and drinking—that God has chosen to be revealed as for us in these ways and that the church has ordained pastors to be servants who deliver the hope we have in Him alone—that the church has the responsibility to yoke those who are called to serve in this way.

The church is part of the earthly kingdom, led by men, led by sinners—the dominance of protocol, the pain of “its not personal” and the frustration of the old Adam. On June 1st, in my ordination I saw and experienced the kingdom of our Lord. Surrounded by pastors and our brothers and sisters in Christ, I felt the community of saints celebrating my humble call that the Holy Spirit through the people of God have called me to.

As I kneeled before Padre Horacio, Bishop Rogness and Bishop Mdgella and my fellow pastors in between the font and the table, I promised with the help of God to confess. An ordination by pastors of three countries, three languages but the same Word.

As the pastors surrounded me placing their hands upon me—I felt the weight of the call through them and received the blessing all at once.

On my left were the pastors, on my right my family and friend and surrounding us the people of God… many with tears forgiving the years of waiting and thanking God for our vocation to serve God and neighbor.

The cacophony of discord that had threatened for years roared into the same Alleluia that I heard when I called my Synod to start candidacy—pure joy. As I turned to be greeted by our church—I had a smile and tears of joy, relief... of the deepest peace I have felt in my life.

Being ordained by a church that is not my own—not the part of the Body of Christ that taught me the 10 commandments, the Apostle’s Creed and the Lord’s Prayer… not in the language of my heart but the church where I was sent to serve and thanks to God a call that extends back to another part of the Body of Christ—back home to the ELCA and the only church I ever knew. When will I be back? The beauty is that I have not left—we are one body. We just have to get on an airplane to see one another face to face.

Thank you all for your prayers, your support, your patience and impatience in these years of waiting. Thank you for walking with me—strengthening me when I began to doubt and for rejoicing with me when I became one of your pastors.