The Pageless Book

This past Sunday, Genevra from “One Joy, One Sorrow” wrote about feeling the call to pursue ministry as a Unitarian Universalist. After taking a long look at difficulties that lie ahead for her if she follows the calling, she is “left wondering if it’s okay to pick up the phone, have a short conversation, and then pretend like you aren’t home.” Essentially, she is doubting whether or not her epiphany is actually a calling to ministry, or if it is just an unrealistic dream. Having had similar doubts myself, I felt the need to comment on her post.

I am, at times, in the same situation of doubting if I honestly belong pursuing ministry. Because I am yet to actually live up to my calling, I cannot say that I am any more experienced than Genevra. What I can say is that I know where she is coming from - I still feel terrified of this process, guilty that I do not contribute more, and ill prepared to act on this desire I have to be a UU minister. There is only one thing that keeps me from tucking tail and running the other direction - NEED.

I have a need to share what I understand. I have a need to help others find their own truth. I have a need to fight injustices with greatest weapons God endowed me with - my heart and mind. Those needs keep me coming back. When I ask myself if those needs can be met any other way, I find that they cannot be filled in any other way.

So, Genevra, I have a proposal for you. Ask yourself “What need is it that draws me to this work?” Then ask if that need can be filled in any other way. If it cannot, you must pursue ministry to find happiness in your life - that is your calling. If you find that the fear of pursuing this path outweighs your needs, then you need not feel any shame turning away and finding another means of satisfying those needs. Growing as a human being takes precedence over any judgement you might face in changing your mind.

How you pursue it right now and in the future is entirely up to you - a way will be made one way or another. Right now, I am not in school actively working towards a theology degree. I simply do not have the resources to sink into the college education that I need. Instead, I’m taking the time to learn what I need to know by other means. I’m pursuing management within the company I currently work for, knowing that management skills are an asset to a career in ministry. I’m writing this blog, constantly refining my own understanding of spirituality and religion. Finally, I’m participating in my congregation’s Lay Worship Associates Committee, so I can learn how to write services and sermons and deliver them.

You, too, can consider alternative means of reaching towards the goal of ministry. Ultimately, religion is about learning how to best live your life. Every lesson you learn every day of your life is ministry training - you need only see it as such.

I hope this response is helpful, regardless of which path you choose - and I hope that I am not being too presumptuous in posting my response. Let me know if you want to talk… we’ve all got to support each other, you know?

Namaste.

Top Photo by Mark Kobayashi-Hillary. Bottom Photo by Aussie Gall.