St. Mark's Shalom Article (Luke)

(This is my most recent letter written to my home congregation of St. Mark's Presbyterian Church in Tucson, AZ. It should be published in their monthly newsletter May 1st, 2009.)
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Dear St. Mark’s Community,

Saludos de Mexico! Hello from Mexico! Having just returned home from an oh-so-short visit to Tucson, and Easter celebrations at St. Mark’s, I thought a letter would be appropriate. While this letter is very overdue, I think of the congregation often and remember you in my prayers.

Since my last letter, life in Mexico has been busy…but for surprising reasons! Of course I have been accompanying immersion program groups who come to Mexico for a week, as well as supporting Andrea (my wife) in her ministry with the Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) program. These two responsibilities have kept me busy, but I had been preparing for my most recent trip to Tucson in my free time.

“For what had I been preparing?” One might ask. Well, on April 9th (Maundy Thursday) I met with Presbytery de Cristo’s Committee on Preparation for Ministry (CPM) and Committee on Ministry (COM) at Northminster Presbyterian Church. The meeting with the CPM was my final assessment of my readiness for ordained ministry in the PC(USA). As you might imagine, there were several forms to be filled out, but I also had the opportunity to preach a sermon to the committee, as well as, present my statement of faith.

The meeting was excellent! The Spirit was present during our hour and a half conversation. We spoke about why I was ready to seek a call to ordained ministry in the PC(USA). I am very pleased to share with you that the committee approved me ready for ordination pending a call and examination by Presbytery. The committee’s decision illustrates our belief that even though one might have a personal sense of call to ministry, a community should also affirm this sense of call. The journey did take a while, but we were all faithful in the process: trusting in the Spirit to guide us.

Immediately following the CPM meeting – with hardly a chance to celebrate and to catch my breath – I met with the COM. Our conversation lasted another hour and a half. This meeting focused on my current ministry in Mexico serving through the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s (ELCA) immersion program. We spoke about the ways in which this ministry relates to my sense of call to ordained ministry and the Presbytery’s role in caring for it’s pastors. I am very pleased to share with you that this committee validated the ministry of the Associate Program Director of the ELCA’s immersion program. I am proud of our presbytery for making this decision and it is significant for two reasons. First, Presbytery de Cristo’s decision to consider this an “ordain-able ministry” illustrates our church’s commitment to ecumenical relationships. The ELCA and PC(USA) have had a long-standing relationship that allows pastors to service in either denomination. The second reason this decision is important – on a personal note – is that this is the capacity in which I currently serve, and to which I can be ordained! Very exciting indeed!

So, pending final details, I plan to appear before Presbytery for examination on July 25th in Casa Grand, AZ. Please consider this an invitation to “save the date,” and consider attending this meeting as you are able. It would be great to see you there!

On another note, I look forward to sharing more about my current ministry in Mexico in upcoming Shalom articles. I have a much better grasp on the transformational ministry of immersion programs than I did during my orientation.

In closing, I would like to thank you, the congregation of St. Mark’s for being good soil. You have nurtured and encouraged me to grow (though I grew slowly at times and will continue to grow), and for that I am eternally grateful.

En La Paz de Cristo,

Luke