When our family sings together for music programs, my favorite song goes like this “I will plant seeds of (peace/love/joy) in my heart each day, water them, care for them, watch them grow, in my heart each day. In my heart seeds of (peace/love/joy) growing every day.”
When this song is sung I remember the seeds for ministry that were planted “in my heart” since childhood. One Sunday morning, the chorister was not able to be in church. The worship leader handed me the hymnal and said, “I know you can sing, get up there and lead us in our hymns today.” I was ten years old at the time, and, feeling a little dizzy, dutifully walked forward, raised the hymnal high and began singing my heart out. The rest is history!
This “calling out” has been the key touchstone of my life and ministry journey. Caring persons in the gathered community recognized gifts for leadership in ministry, named them, and invited me to explore those gifts in a most direct, profound way for the sake of Christ and the Church. From the local CBYF to District and Regional Youth Cabinet, to a host of college deputation trips, and on to Brethren Volunteer Service. From early on, I’ve been involved in some aspect of ministry and ministry formation.
I did, however, rejected any notion of being “a pastor” but was profoundly involved in ministry. As a preachers kid, I was privy to the “dark side” of ministry observing the political manipulations of congregational life. I overheard my parents talk of church struggles - listening at night through the hot air register located directly above their bedroom. I thought, “Who would ever choose to be a minister and be treated this way!”
It was not until seminary that sensitive and stimulating faculty, staff, and students challenged my negative experiences. Instead, they encouraged me to consider the positive gifts for ministry I would bring to the church. The first year at Bethany Theological Seminary (Oak Brook campus) was a profoundly engaging experience as people affirmed gifts for ministry and encouraged exploration of using those gifts in pastoral ministry. At the close of the first year, I had completely reversed my thinking and exclaimed, “I cannot see myself in any other vocation other than pastoral ministry.” I was deeply thankful to the gathered community of faith for challenging negative assumptions and encouraging me toward a more holistic, faithful, and mature approach.
Throughout life people have planted seeds, others have watered, and some have even weeded...but God continues to provide the growth. This life-long journey has included sixteen years in direct pastoral ministry, six years on denominational staff, and fourteen years as a District Executive/Minister. Now in retirement, I serve on the Governing Board of SVMC and Chair of the Resource and Development Committee.
This account is to affirm how important it is for the faith community and discerning bodies to identify, call out, and train persons who exhibit gifts for ministry. The Susquehanna Valley Ministry Center continues to be a vital and vibrant resource for ministry training in the five-district sponsored area. The need for quality and qualified ministerial leaders in the life of the Church of the Brethren is great! It is time to plant, cultivate, and water – the seeds for ministry – identifying and calling tomorrow’s leaders.
I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth
. (1 Cor. 3:6) May it be so!
Joe Detrick
