My Calling – Rev. Linda S. Titzell
I have been in the Church of the Brethren my entire life. I vividly recall my early Sunday School years, observing, then participating in Love Feast services, serving as primary department superintendent, teaching adult Sunday School classes because someone thought I had that gift, being elected first female moderator in the Mechanicsburg COB, and serving the church in many other capacities. I remember the untimely death of my father and how I experienced God’s love for me in an unexplainable way when I felt my world collapse around me; how God cared for me in a way that assured me my father was okay, that he was in a “better place.” My love for God became so real because of His love for me.
The call to ministry came from God in January 1998. God gave me the vision of the potter and clay passage from Jeremiah 18, reminding me that my molding and shaping had gone on for many years by the work of His hands. At the time I was considering early retirement from the business world. God said I could retire from my job, but not from His work. God reminded me that He would keep shaping me until I was the person He wanted me to be; the person I could be. I accepted God’s call – the potter of my life.
I was surprised by God’s call, as were my husband and my pastor. I never dreamed of being in the set-apart ministry. I had no formal religious training, and wasn’t I too old to start a second career? But God knew my age; God knew everything about me. Within the year I was licensed into ministry. I was on my journey, and God was working to reshape this lump of clay (me), from a post graduate-degree, professional business woman to a novice seminary student enrolled in Bethany Theological Seminary and working fulltime.
I could not be more excited in knowing and accepting God’s call; He molded me around almost seven years of seminary studies and a M.Div. degree. While I thought it was not possible, God provided an opportunity for me to earn a degree by attending Bethany classes through
Susquehanna Valley Ministry Center
(SVMC). For the first five years of study, the professors came to me through SVMC! What an amazing experience! I recently completed six years of service on the SVMC Board and Executive Committee, serving two years as the Chairperson. What an honor that has been for me! And I continue to earn continuing education units (CEU’s) through SVMC sponsored classes!
I have served almost 14 years at CKV-TBHC (Cross Keys Village – The Brethren Home Community, New Oxford, PA) as a chaplain, pastor, and Director of Pastoral Care. I am happy that God is still molding me and using me! Each day is an opportunity to serve God and others; and to thank Him for my savior, Jesus Christ.
