The New Testament abounds with stories about people on journeys – the path to Jerusalem and the way of the Cross feature prominently as part of Jesus’ ministry. Paul’s evangelical mission criss-crossed the Mediterranean. The Hebrew Bible, too, is replete with stories about people on the move – searching, finding, being banished, being reclaimed.
We are encouraged to think, more metaphorically, about our Christian lives as a “walk”, acknowledging the many ways in which people grow and change over the course of their lives. For most people, the path of following Jesus is not a clear line that runs in one direction. Everyone has moments of doubt and frustration, some that are minor and some that are debilitating, leading to their abandonment of the teachings of Jesus entirely.
Over the past couple of years, I have started to think about serving the church in a more formal manner. My journey on the path to ordained ministry has been a long one and while I have never doubted Jesus, I have, at times, been confounded and disappointed by those who speak in his name.
I have served the church throughout my life in a range of different capacities, but it was really only when I came to the Uniting Church that I felt my authentic self was complete and called into ministry in a clear way, rather than hearing a niggling whisper that would fade with some of life’s other distractions.
The path that I have walked so far has been guided by my wonderful minister and church family at South Sydney Uniting Church, and selected other mentors, who have done a great deal to heal the damage done by the bigotry I experienced in other settings. The path that lies ahead of me will be long and unfamiliar, but I feel confident in being consistently challenged to assess and reflect on my direction in the light of God’s love and the church’s commitment to bring hope to the world.
