Calling

Tyrone McGowan

Congregational Fellow ('10)

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October 10, 2010

Yet With a Steady Beat

Reflections on the Future of Pastoral Leadership

Live Blogging from our 2010 Calling Congregations Conference

“Yet with a steady beat, have not our weary feet
Come to this place for which our fathers sighed?”
Lift Every Voice and Sing
By James Weldon Johnson

After the FTE Leaders in Ministry Conference in June, I immediately circled October 7-9 on my calendar because I knew I had to attend the Calling Congregations Conference in Atlanta. One small explanation for my anticipation of the conference was that I would have an opportunity to take a break from the rigorous academic life at Yale Divinity School and return to the city where I spent the last four years of my life as an undergraduate. I was also anxious to fellowship with old friends and meet new friends who are committed to renewing the church.

Although I have been preaching for almost a decade, I have always resisted the call to pastoral ministry. I felt this way because in addition to being a minister, I have always had a passion to pursue a career in public policy and government. It was not until the end of this summer, in the midst of a conversation with a close friend, that I fully accepted and envisioned myself in a position of pastoral leadership. My friend, who is in his second year of seminary, suggested that I’m too smart to enter politics and that God wants to use my unique ministry gifts in a particular faith community on a consistent basis. Hearing this affirmation from one of my peers was the type of confirmation that I needed to enter my pastor journey. At that particular moment, it was as if God was telling to stop running from the work he has for me to do.

It is from this conversation and much spiritual reflection that I decided to participate in the Congregations Receiving Young Pastors practice module led by Geri McKenzie. Together in this group, we critically examined the role of congregations in receiving and supporting young pastors for lifelong service in pastoral ministry. As I listened to my colleagues discuss how their congregations receive young pastors, I was reminded of the challenges that made me hesitant to enter pastoral ministry in the first place. These challenges range from financial insecurity to congregations not creating enough sacred space for the incoming pastor to minister effectively to the entire community. However, I was also encouraged and inspired to continue with my call to pastoral ministry. This module reminded me that, as an emerging church leader, I must remain faithful to the call and plan God has established for my life knowing that God will provide for me along the way. If I remain a faithful witness, God will order my steps and guide my feet on this journey.