On June 11, 2009, I was ordained a deacon after a long journey: seven years of education—four for a history and political science degree at Mount Allison University, and three at the Atlantic School of Theology. Two degrees and a lot of debt for this 26-year-old.
I have now started my first job as deacon here in Porters Lake, N.S. in the Parish of Seaforth. It is a beautiful rural parish with five churches and I will share this ministry with another rector. It will be a learning experience as two people share their faith, best practices, and their understanding of church life.
My first order of ministry is to visit the parishioners and to get to know the people of the community and congregation. I’ve just moved into a beautiful rectory, the kind of house I’m used to. Since my parents are clergy, I’ve lived in rectories and manses my whole life. Getting this place ready and visiting people is what I’ve been about for the summer.
Some will wonder why a young man would want to enter the ministry. Why, when the world encourages the secular? Why, when others jobs—as a carpenter, banker, doctor, retail clerk, and yes, a lawyer (my first ambition)—seem to be the norm?
Well, something happened. I felt a call from God to enter this type of life. My godfather was instrumental in helping me realize my call to ministry. He, along with my friends, would often tell me “you’re going to be a minister” even though I always thought I’d be a lawyer. It took a life-changing trip to England, and the moving of the Holy Spirit to remove the notion of a law career from my head.
I have a lot to learn as a newly ordained deacon and, God willing, a future priest. I want to let myself become a part of the body of Christ, and to be the church. I will take this time to learn, to serve and to act as a steward of God’s church. This will be difficult in a world where Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens, and Bill Maher are commonly referred to. A world that sees its economy collapsed, wars all over, and an environment that is suffering because of our decisions as a people.
Yet I can’t help but be excited to take part in the world while wearing a clerical shirt. It will be exciting to walk down the street, have someone recognize me as a minister, then have this lead to a cup of coffee and conversation together. These are the things I look forward to. Still there will be moments of crisis when I will be called upon, and that’s when a “fresh” clergyperson really prays to God for help.
All in time, all in God’s warm embrace will I seek this calling.
Our Primate, Archbishop Fred Hiltz, often refers to the Anglican Church of Canada, as “our beloved church.” As a young clergyperson, I aspire to the positive attitude of this statement. I look forward to a church that sees itself as beloved, that seeks to understand its role in the world, a church that understands itself, and the ministry it has to do. May God help me in the work of the church and in the sharing of community. Pray for me!
