Thursday, August 04, 2005

My Vicarage Goals and Prayer

Christ washing the Disciples feet
The big day is getting closer! On Monday my wife, cats, ferret and I will drive down to Texas to serve St. John Lutheran Church as Vicar. As it gets closer I am pondering more and more what it means to be their Vicar, or a servant of God’s people in general.

The ministry is one of the few professions remaining that is not just a job, but a life. I grew up on a farm, my cousins are farmers, my dad and uncle are both farmers, and my grandpa was a farmer. They never punched a time clock. It was never “quitting time” for them. I am thankful to have had that model growing up because it has prepared me for entering the ministry.
Pastors and vicars don’t have a quitting time either. I know, the trend is sadly going toward a 9-5 “servant” (as long as it's not inconvenient) of the Word. But my attitude as I begin serving as a vicar is one of real service. I want to establish a relationship with the church I will be serving. I want to be more than the guy who preaches once in a while, or does liturgy, or visits you in the hospital. I want to be the vicar who the people know they can call at 2 am if they have an emergency. I want to be the guy they invite to their kids' graduations, confirmations, weddings, etc. I want to be the kind of vicar that is not puffed up with his own theological training. I want to be the kind of vicar who is ready to serve and show the love of Christ.

It will be difficult at times. I am a sinner, just like everyone else. But I think its important to make goals and expectations for yourself. I didn’t get to this point on my own, the Lord has been with me all along. I pray that He would use me as a humble instrument, to work under His called servant of the Word. I pray that the Spirit would teach me, that I would be open to learn, open to criticism, open to growth.

As I begin “vicaring” (if that is a word), I pray for God’s guidance.
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Holy God, may Your love, grace, comfort and wisdom attend me as I embark to serve Your people as a vicar. May I be attentive to the direction of my Bishop, may I be mindful of the needs of Your people, may I be ever lead by Your rod and staff. I have nothing apart from Your loving-kindness. Help me with Your Holy Spirit to serve as Christ as showed us how.

1 comment:

Rev. Jim Roemke said...

It is in Hamilton Texas about two hours south of Dallas-Fort Worth.