Presbytery was this past Saturday and it was a very long and complicated to-do... I admire our candidates and credentials committee for many things. 1. They desired the input of their brothers in the larger presbytery and sought their advice. They could have pursued other courses, but sought council from their brothers. 2. They showed great perseverance in what ended up being a very long discussion on education and the merits of it. 3. They were able to maintain pastoral care and concern for my family.
Kudos to the Presbytery of the Mid-Atlantic as well. It was a deep and serious discussion as to howto proceed with men who have been called alter in life. What do you do with men that show the requisite gifts for ministry, feel called later in their lives and have not met the educational standards of the denomination? It is a serious question that i sincerely hope they will continue (once everything with me is over with).
All that said, I am in limbo. The Presbytery has not made a decision as of yet. I cannot be licensed until *after* General Assembly makes a recommendation. Basically what happened is this:
The presbytery decided they needed advice from G.A. and when that happens in June, then we will proceed to see if i can be licensed as i currently am now. With a Master's of Christian ministry and impending MDiv degree. The hang up is that I do not have a lower degree...
In essence i may have to get a lower degree to compliment my two higher degrees in order to take more tests... well... Not quite.
Candidates and Credentials was gracious enough to let me do all but my final "in committee" exams... So as I proceed, it is in anticipation of being recommended by G.A. and then sitting my final in house exams. Where does that put me practically speaking? Purgatory... I wonder of the OPC has a retirement fund for men under care? If so, how do I get in on it?
In the meantime I will continue my duties as God has called me to... I am after all still a ruling elder. That in and of itself is a great privilege and honor I am thankful for every day. It allows me to minister closer to my calling... I still have 6 months on my internship too... That will allow me to continue to preach and teach as well... So as frustrating as it is, God has still been gracious enough to let me continue.
No news is good news? Maybe... Just maybe....
Hey brother, I commend your humble faithfulness in submitting to the brethren in this matter.
ReplyDeleteLiam, I've long been persuaded that my perception of what God is accomplishing by His providential dealings with His children is always far tinier, and often quite different, than the good and wise reality which flows from infinite wisdom and love.
"For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known."
"To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it."
It must be a great comfort that even though the situation is frustrating, you can rest in the the sovereignty of our loving father who never sleeps and is never taken by surprise.
ReplyDeleteIt is Joanie, and that makes it very bearable. God's sovereignty is a comfort.
ReplyDelete