This past Sunday at the Second Annual Conference of the Malawi Missionary Conference, I was appointed as Local Pastor, Assistant at Mpenya Circuit. And Bishop Nhiwatiwa gave six pastors, including myself, a special dispensation to administer the sacraments (Holy Communion and Baptism).
When Bishop Nhiwatiwa read my name, “Mpenya Circuit Assitant, Abusa Kara Lassen Oliver,” I walked to the front to stand with the other 22 pastors it was with great pride to be counted among their number. But also with great humility. These pastors often do not have what they need to survive and to support their families, yet they give all they do have in service to the church. And they do so with grace and commitment.
This appointment as a local pastor came after three days of anxious waiting to see if I would be ordained an Elder in the United Methodist Church. An Elder is appointed and itinerant (available for new appointment each annual conference meeting) and able to administer the sacraments. My District Superintendent in the Tennessee Conference conferred with the bishop and cabinet at home and they sent their “implicit blessings” for my ordination but also stated that it would not include any commitment from or to the TN Conference when I return from the mission field. Bishop Nhiwatiwa wanted further clarification on this stipulation and was an advocate for my seeking strong affiliation with an annual conference before I return. So, I was not ordained.
I have wrestled with this call to ministry since I was 17 years old, (Communion at St. Joe, March 25) and continue to wrestle. I feel and live as a pastor (I am, Sept 19) but, honestly, I was relieved to be appointed as a Local Pastor as opposed to a full elder. My soul is still not fully at peace with my own calling and ministry.
My time and ministry here in Malawi aids in the process and discernment each day. And I’m grateful and humbled by the Board of Ordained Ministry’s invitation to join them as an Abusa (pastor).
mornin’ Abusa!
can’t wait to see you.
YOU ARE A PASTOR!
The calling, confirming, and consecrating of ordination is the official church’s way of trying to do quality control. Most of the time it works and works well and I’m a big supporter of its place in the life of the church. But being a pastor is something that the people give and not the church. There are some I know who are ordained but are not considered by the people of the church to be a pastor, there are others who will never seek ordination who pastor others at a depth and with grace that I doubt I will ever attain.
Please do not consider yourself less than you are until you receive that official church designation of ordination. You are a pastor. The people who you do ministry with and for know that and so should you. Enjoy the privilege of sharing communion and baptisms with those who call you Pastor and let yourself hear God speak into your life, “This is my child of whom I am well pleased.”
Abusa Kara, how could I not add a word of encouragement to your most deserved appointment and title. Congratulations for making just that step. I read the beautiful story on your calling into pastoral ministry with great adimiration on the way God is guiding you through your journey of ministry and service in Malawi. Living as a pastor, a true servant to God’s people speaks much louder than any titles that would go with it. You are in our prayers as you follow the foot steps of Jesus in giving hope and sharing the Good News!