My first Ordination Sermon!
Sermon: Ordination to the Priesthood of Duane Andre Smith
St. Thomas Episcopal Church
August 19, 2009
This is a joyful occasion tonight as our Diocese and shared communities gather together in Beattyville to celebrate Duane’s Ordination to the Priesthood. It is also a joyful occasion because Duane is the very first priest to be ordained to the Small Church Ministry Consortium (or the SCMC) as a whole unit. When I was ordained at St, Mark’s in Hazard, it was to serve as the Small Church Missioner, but we were still developing the concept of the team that serves our smallest churches now. Duane’s ministry is the prototype of the future as our Diocese seeks to provide pastoral care and a sacramental life for all of its churches. It is not insignificant that Duane has selected people from each of the small churches in the Consortium to be participants in this service. His calling to this special ministry is both passionate and certain.
In fact, when I first read the Gospel passage selected for Duane’s Ordination, I thought, “Jesus in cities and villages. . .scarcity of laborers. . . asking God to send help. . ..
( ) light bulb!
We need help in our villages and God sent Duane!!! Short sermon. To the Point! That works!” Of course, that would be an eisegetical reading (--a reading where I do not do my homework but just put my own impressions onto the Gospel--) , and I would have to be pretty cheeky to pull that off in front of our Bishop, my fellow clergy and several learned professors—not to mention our Ordinand!
First impressions aside then, what can these particular lessons teach us as we surround Duane this night with our love and our support for both his ordination into the sacred order of priests and his commitment to provide the sacraments at St. Thomas and St. Mark’s and St. Alban’s and St. James ----and now at St. Mary’s in Middlesboro?
The first thing is that this Matthean summary of the words and deeds of Jesus give us both the example of Jesus’ ministry and the precedent for Duane’s. It is how we both look back in amazement at the ministry of Jesus and look forward to the ministry Duane will do in these mountains: teaching, proclaiming the Good News, and healing. It is how in the present, we understand the ongoing and omnipresent context of that ministry- the fact that God sends those who will, in compassion, be laborers in the Harvest.
Although the work of ministry is shared by all of us through the Baptismal Covenant, some laborers are sent to take on ordained ministry. The second piece of enlightenment from these lessons exhorts the elders—perhaps presbyters or priests, to tend to the flock of God as God would have them do—not for gain, but eagerly. Now on one hand, as Duane has reverently accepted a non-stipendiary call, the “gain” admonition in the First Letter of Peter may be a non issue! But God asks more of us than our treasure; God demands our hearts. In this mountain ministry especially, that means listening as well as preaching, and learning as well as teaching. Good leadership is important, and appreciated, but the remarkable wisdom in our mountain churches cannot be denied! As Duane has learned, flock tending in the small churches is very circular. The long-timers in these congregations have experience that is of great benefit to new priests and deacons, even as the new clergy have education and ideas and energy of great benefit to the churches. It is in listening to each other- the mutual submission that the letter of I Peter recommends—that we can go forward in the teaching, preaching and healing. It is in only in working together that we can help these jewels in our diocese to strengthen and sparkle with renewed vitality as they do their work in the kingdom of God.
But there is a third lesson that these readings teach us: in order to be really successful, to have that vitality, being sent requires actual willingness on the part of those called to go. That applies to all of us of course, not just Duane. The reading from Isaiah reminds us that for God’s plan to spread the Good News to succeed, it really helps if there is a call toward the ministry which God intends!
I have had the privilege of knowing Duane for many years at Berea College. [This is the part where Duane gets nervous!] Our boys were born about the same time, and we both taught the (now extinct!) “General Studies” course at the college called Western Traditions. We had a collegial friendship as I set up the library instruction classes for his course sections and turned to him as an expert for the Biblical content in mine. As Duane moved toward choosing the Episcopal Church for his community of faith, I felt honored to be included in his thought process. I had no idea in those early days that we would someday be working together again on a different team. When we first met more than a year ago to talk about his assignment to the SCMC it was clear that Duane’s excitement and commitment to the small churches was the driving force in his willingness to answer this call. He was energized about the ministry of the consortium and immediately connected with each of the congregations in which he led in Morning Prayer. I would often get a phone call on Sunday afternoon [as we were both driving on various mountain roads!] so that he could relate his joys or concerns about his ministry that Sunday, and also so that he could prepare me for the pastoral needs of the week ahead in that particular community. It was soon clear to me that the churches returned this affection, as they praised him for his interest, his very competent preaching and most of all his sense of commitment.
Even more transparent than Duane’s own
willingness, however, was the sense of Divine Presence embodied in such a call, and that too is a significant piece of this passage from Isaiah. Although we did not see six winged seraphs or fiery coals at the Black Feather café in Berea where we met to work on schedules or plan for the next quarter, we did notice that we had a real team forming in Berea and working together in this ministry. And it became obvious that this geographic center--- with no intended assault on the wisdom of our Bishop—had a Divine origin. We could not deny that we were living out something much bigger than our individual calls to ministry.
When, in a few moments, we sing “Come thou Holy Spirit bright,” and Bishop Sauls’ apostolic hands are laid on Duane as he is surrounded by those who affirm and support his call, I have no doubt that the undeniable existence of that same Divine Presence, will infuse and sustain his priesthood. It is a sacred moment and we are all privileged to be witnesses.
And so, Duane…..(motion) you are here tonight after a long journey—much longer, perhaps, than you expected when you began, . . . but not longer than you needed. This journey has brought confusion, heartache and loss; it has also brought clarity, joy and fulfillment. If there is one thing the work of ministry teaches us, it is this: it is the journey that makes us ready to be laborers in the harvest. It is the journey that tempers in us the compassion that Jesus showed against a harassed and helpless crowd. And it is the journey that gives us the courage in the face of God’s call to reply
‘Here
am
I;
send me!’
We do our best to faithfully answer the call, but we must remember that we are absolutely not the power that makes it work. It is through Jesus that all things are being brought to their perfection. When you remember that you are not that power, remember also that you have a built in support network. The Diocese is more than the people with whom—and for whom—you work. It is a network of familial support in terms of prayer, resource and much needed humor. Just as the people of St. Hubert’s prepared you with love and support to take these steps, the people of the SCMC have much to offer you now in terms of love, appreciation and wisdom. Above all, remember the words the Bishop spoke in the Collect tonight: the whole church is a wonderful and sacred mystery!
The ministry that Jesus lived and taught his disciples to continue through the ages has called you to this place in this time. And we are grateful! Although I promise not to develop lazy scholarly habits, perhaps my eisegetical opening was not so far off the mark after all!
Duane, you are here because you have so much to bring to this ministry: Your passion for teaching, your experience and understanding of parish ministry and your work in the missional community of Berea College will all be helpful in your work as a priest. Even more importantly, your family, friends and colleagues surround you this night and will continue to do so in prayer. Go now in compassion to the villages; teach in their churches, heal those in need, and proclaim the good news of the kingdom.
Amen.
St. Thomas Episcopal Church
August 19, 2009
This is a joyful occasion tonight as our Diocese and shared communities gather together in Beattyville to celebrate Duane’s Ordination to the Priesthood. It is also a joyful occasion because Duane is the very first priest to be ordained to the Small Church Ministry Consortium (or the SCMC) as a whole unit. When I was ordained at St, Mark’s in Hazard, it was to serve as the Small Church Missioner, but we were still developing the concept of the team that serves our smallest churches now. Duane’s ministry is the prototype of the future as our Diocese seeks to provide pastoral care and a sacramental life for all of its churches. It is not insignificant that Duane has selected people from each of the small churches in the Consortium to be participants in this service. His calling to this special ministry is both passionate and certain.
In fact, when I first read the Gospel passage selected for Duane’s Ordination, I thought, “Jesus in cities and villages. . .scarcity of laborers. . . asking God to send help. . ..
( ) light bulb!
We need help in our villages and God sent Duane!!! Short sermon. To the Point! That works!” Of course, that would be an eisegetical reading (--a reading where I do not do my homework but just put my own impressions onto the Gospel--) , and I would have to be pretty cheeky to pull that off in front of our Bishop, my fellow clergy and several learned professors—not to mention our Ordinand!
First impressions aside then, what can these particular lessons teach us as we surround Duane this night with our love and our support for both his ordination into the sacred order of priests and his commitment to provide the sacraments at St. Thomas and St. Mark’s and St. Alban’s and St. James ----and now at St. Mary’s in Middlesboro?
The first thing is that this Matthean summary of the words and deeds of Jesus give us both the example of Jesus’ ministry and the precedent for Duane’s. It is how we both look back in amazement at the ministry of Jesus and look forward to the ministry Duane will do in these mountains: teaching, proclaiming the Good News, and healing. It is how in the present, we understand the ongoing and omnipresent context of that ministry- the fact that God sends those who will, in compassion, be laborers in the Harvest.
Although the work of ministry is shared by all of us through the Baptismal Covenant, some laborers are sent to take on ordained ministry. The second piece of enlightenment from these lessons exhorts the elders—perhaps presbyters or priests, to tend to the flock of God as God would have them do—not for gain, but eagerly. Now on one hand, as Duane has reverently accepted a non-stipendiary call, the “gain” admonition in the First Letter of Peter may be a non issue! But God asks more of us than our treasure; God demands our hearts. In this mountain ministry especially, that means listening as well as preaching, and learning as well as teaching. Good leadership is important, and appreciated, but the remarkable wisdom in our mountain churches cannot be denied! As Duane has learned, flock tending in the small churches is very circular. The long-timers in these congregations have experience that is of great benefit to new priests and deacons, even as the new clergy have education and ideas and energy of great benefit to the churches. It is in listening to each other- the mutual submission that the letter of I Peter recommends—that we can go forward in the teaching, preaching and healing. It is in only in working together that we can help these jewels in our diocese to strengthen and sparkle with renewed vitality as they do their work in the kingdom of God.
But there is a third lesson that these readings teach us: in order to be really successful, to have that vitality, being sent requires actual willingness on the part of those called to go. That applies to all of us of course, not just Duane. The reading from Isaiah reminds us that for God’s plan to spread the Good News to succeed, it really helps if there is a call toward the ministry which God intends!
I have had the privilege of knowing Duane for many years at Berea College. [This is the part where Duane gets nervous!] Our boys were born about the same time, and we both taught the (now extinct!) “General Studies” course at the college called Western Traditions. We had a collegial friendship as I set up the library instruction classes for his course sections and turned to him as an expert for the Biblical content in mine. As Duane moved toward choosing the Episcopal Church for his community of faith, I felt honored to be included in his thought process. I had no idea in those early days that we would someday be working together again on a different team. When we first met more than a year ago to talk about his assignment to the SCMC it was clear that Duane’s excitement and commitment to the small churches was the driving force in his willingness to answer this call. He was energized about the ministry of the consortium and immediately connected with each of the congregations in which he led in Morning Prayer. I would often get a phone call on Sunday afternoon [as we were both driving on various mountain roads!] so that he could relate his joys or concerns about his ministry that Sunday, and also so that he could prepare me for the pastoral needs of the week ahead in that particular community. It was soon clear to me that the churches returned this affection, as they praised him for his interest, his very competent preaching and most of all his sense of commitment.
Even more transparent than Duane’s own
willingness, however, was the sense of Divine Presence embodied in such a call, and that too is a significant piece of this passage from Isaiah. Although we did not see six winged seraphs or fiery coals at the Black Feather café in Berea where we met to work on schedules or plan for the next quarter, we did notice that we had a real team forming in Berea and working together in this ministry. And it became obvious that this geographic center--- with no intended assault on the wisdom of our Bishop—had a Divine origin. We could not deny that we were living out something much bigger than our individual calls to ministry.
When, in a few moments, we sing “Come thou Holy Spirit bright,” and Bishop Sauls’ apostolic hands are laid on Duane as he is surrounded by those who affirm and support his call, I have no doubt that the undeniable existence of that same Divine Presence, will infuse and sustain his priesthood. It is a sacred moment and we are all privileged to be witnesses.
And so, Duane…..(motion) you are here tonight after a long journey—much longer, perhaps, than you expected when you began, . . . but not longer than you needed. This journey has brought confusion, heartache and loss; it has also brought clarity, joy and fulfillment. If there is one thing the work of ministry teaches us, it is this: it is the journey that makes us ready to be laborers in the harvest. It is the journey that tempers in us the compassion that Jesus showed against a harassed and helpless crowd. And it is the journey that gives us the courage in the face of God’s call to reply
‘Here
am
I;
send me!’
We do our best to faithfully answer the call, but we must remember that we are absolutely not the power that makes it work. It is through Jesus that all things are being brought to their perfection. When you remember that you are not that power, remember also that you have a built in support network. The Diocese is more than the people with whom—and for whom—you work. It is a network of familial support in terms of prayer, resource and much needed humor. Just as the people of St. Hubert’s prepared you with love and support to take these steps, the people of the SCMC have much to offer you now in terms of love, appreciation and wisdom. Above all, remember the words the Bishop spoke in the Collect tonight: the whole church is a wonderful and sacred mystery!
The ministry that Jesus lived and taught his disciples to continue through the ages has called you to this place in this time. And we are grateful! Although I promise not to develop lazy scholarly habits, perhaps my eisegetical opening was not so far off the mark after all!
Duane, you are here because you have so much to bring to this ministry: Your passion for teaching, your experience and understanding of parish ministry and your work in the missional community of Berea College will all be helpful in your work as a priest. Even more importantly, your family, friends and colleagues surround you this night and will continue to do so in prayer. Go now in compassion to the villages; teach in their churches, heal those in need, and proclaim the good news of the kingdom.
Amen.
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