After 31 Years:

Straight AheadIt was exactly 31 years ago tonight that I was ordained to the ministry in Oakland Heights Presbyterian Church, Meridian, Mississippi. From the world's perspective, it doesn't make much sense for God to call a blind man into the ministry. But then, that just illustrates how God can demonstrate His power in the weakest people. I was ordained by the old Central Mississippi Presbytery of the PCUS--then the Southern branch of the mainline Presbyterian Church. At about the time I'm writing this, Mr. Topham, my long-time mentor, was probably preaching the ordination sermon. He preached another installation sermon for me about five years later. Like so many who were there that night, he's no longer with us. Many family members were there, of course, some of whom are no longer alive. My cousin Susan was playing the organ. We had a wonderful celebration dinner afterwards at a place that was an institution in Meridian at that time. The only really unfortunate aspect of the whole thing was that Lydia, my future wife, was not with us. I saw her a month later, and we spent about a week together with my parents in Nashville, Tennessee. In January of the following year, 1976, we were married. I don't know that I have any truly profound thoughts on this particular night. Since I have just started this blog, however, I did want to take a moment to reflect on some of the things that have given me courage and comfort over the years. For one thing, I've always had a pulpit from which to preach. God has been very gracious to Lydia and me on that point. I truly do not deserve the least of His mercies. For another thing, I know that I have made mistakes; but I take comfort in the fact that when the big decisions have had to be made, I believe I have truthfully sought the will of God; and I did the best I knew at the time. I have tried to live my life and exercise my ministry according to principle over pragmatism when the two were in conflict. Sometimes, I'm sure I made wrong decisions. Sometimes, I'm sure I mis-applied my principles; but I tried to make sure that my decisions were grounded in a genuine theological and biblical context. I can also say that whatever ups and downs I have had in my ministry, whatever errors in judgment I may have made, my marriage to Lydia has been one of the happiest aspects of my life. That was one decision I made that was absolutely right! May God get the glory for that! I've done some very interesting things. I spent ten years in the Evangelical Presbyterian Church and understood why I cannot encourage most contemporary worship. I spent two years in Maine as a pastor of the United Church of Christ and was reaffirmed in my growing conviction that God wanted me back in mainline Protestantism. And now, I have the chance to make contacts and new friends all over the world through email, this blog, and other means of which I am no doubt not even aware yet. My ministry has been vastly different from what I expected when I graduated from Princeton Theological Seminary 31 years ago. I have a very genuine sense that because of the present situation in my denomination, the Presbyterian Church, (USA), and because of my own convictions, interests, and stage in my personal ministry, I am on the edge of some things that will be more exciting and more unpredictable than anything up till now. Through this blog, I hope to take many of you on the ride. I know that I need an increased dose of healthy spiritual discipline so that I will be clear about where God is leading me and what He wants me to do. But I know that in His care, I can keep going in the direction indicated by my blog title--Straight ahead!