472 -- Forty Years of Ordained Ministry

May 26 (5/26) in Godsfield -- Job 5: 26

(For Better or Verse: Each day in 2025 I will begin this Godsfield e-mail with a Bible verse that corresponds with the month (chapter 1-12) and day (verse 1-31) it is sent. This month features a lot of fifth chapters! Those with eyes and ears, let them see and hear.)

Job 5:26 -- You will come to the grave in full vigor, like sheaves gathered in season.

Forty years ago today, I was ordained to be a pastor in the Church of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, Lutheran branch.

The good folks at Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus had decided I had learned enough in my four years with them and gave me a masters of divinity degree (which next to my bachelor of science degree in journalism from Bowling Green is the reason I write these e-mails each day).

Then Zion Lutheran Church in Doylestown, Ohio, decided I would do as their pastor, and so I was ordained at my home church in Wooster, also Zion Lutheran. And blessings to Pastor Alan Knoke, who was ordained with me, a special gift from God as we had shared a singing ministry in high school, undergraduate at Bowling Green, seminary at Trinity -- all with different graduation years -- and now God's timing put us in the same home church at the same time, and God is good!

We even took first calls about eight miles apart!

And, as most know in looking back as anything, 40 years seems forever ago, and just yesterday. I think that is because, while this life is locked into chronology -- minutes and days and dates -- God gives us moments that transcend time and can be visited and cherished at a moment's notice!

This is such a moment.

Peggy was eight and 3/4 months pregnant at the time, which means our son Mark will also be 40 in a few days -- June 9, to be exact -- the church was full of relatives and friends, and a group of people I did not yet really know, but would become my world for the next seven years in Doylestown, and still are at any moment.

In the 33 years since leaving there to come to Mansfield (Godsfield) ministry has taken on many forms, even ordained ministry as a pastor. All Christians are called to ministry, to that unique and specific mission for which God has created us. We are God's workmanship, after all. A pastor is a specific calling, however, and yet unique according to each person so called. No two pastors are alike; it really is God's way.

I am grateful -- uniquely grateful -- for the opportunity to be in this role all these years, matching the time David was king, as well as the time the people wandered the wilderness.

And while I am hopeful not to have the life of Job (or his friends!) I do accept the words bestowed upon him in today's verse: I desire to go to my grave in full vigor, if not with vigorous body, then with vigorous heart for the Lord.

Love ya,

Paul