Ministry Distinctive
Definition: A ministry distinctive is a core commitment that defines its direction and sets it apart from other ministries. Distinctives are the practical implications of a ministry's doctrine, and they shape its philosophy and practice.
Overall Reflection Statement.
As I near the end of my seminary studies and internship, I humbly look forward to walking into ministry as a chaplain hand in hand with Jesus. I began seminary in 2006, without a clear direction, other than a desire to learn the Bible. With growing kids, I quit for over ten years. After going through those years and facing some big life trials, I reflected on the fact that when I die, the only regret I would have in life is if I did not return to seminary. It has been God's calling all along. Although I was older and been through messy circumstances, I took the plunge and was led specifically into chaplaincy and ministry care. When I interviewed for a CPE position, the interviewer told me that my age and difficult life experiences qualified me to be an effective chaplain. How ironic.
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I have loved learning to study the Bible in seminary and then the counseling and chaplaincy courses have prepared me to put that study to use. It is my prayer that God would comfort, love, and support others through me as He has so beautifully done for me.
Experiences shaping my ministry distinctive.
1. Unique, personal relationship with Jesus. In the fifth grade, a Christian School Bible teacher told the class that some people believe they are Christians and they are not. This scared me to death. I went home and prayed like I have never prayed before, desperately begging God to assure me that I was a Christian. I prayed the sinner's prayer about 5 more times just in case.
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That evening, I went to a girl scout's meeting. Before we left, our leader said she had some lapel pins for us and each were different. She held the basket over our heads and told us to choose one without looking and asked God to give us the one He has special for each of us. Mine said, "His sheep am I ." To some, this may be seen as a coincidence, but it was divine assurance for me. I have lived my life in the theme of being God's sheep, and He, my Shepherd, ever since that night. He protects me, holds me close, and I live out Psalm 23 every day.
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2. Growing up in a full-time ministry home. My father was a nuclear physicist and quit his job and started full time with Campus Crusade For Christ's Executive Ministries when I was in seventh grade. I saw first hand the challenges of raising support and ministry stressors, but also the joy of seeing lives changed for eternity. In going into ministry myself, it was important to me to get a formal seminary education first.
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3. Twenty-nine and a half years of marriage! I am married to Ken, a surgeon who is my greatest supporter of my seminary journey. He has also given me content to grow on including major health issues, valleys in our marriage, and navigating parenting together. Our kids are 25 and 27 now.
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4. Being a special education teacher. I taught before I went back to school. Being with special needs children and their families taught me a lot about humility, stress tolerance, and unconditional love. They will always be my favorite people.
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5. Ladies's Bible Studies. I joined them as often as I could. They began my love for learning the Scripture beyond stories and verses without context. I found myself more excited than anyone else in the room about what we were learning. It made me hungry to learn to study the Bible myself - and not just follow the little homework assignments. I still believe Women's Bible Studies are extremely important to the church and continue to participate in them.
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6. My son's battle. Without going into too much detail, my precious son has dealt with severe depression and anxiety for years. He attempted suicide in 2015 and was left with a brain injury. I packed up and stayed with him in Houston for about six months for rehabilitation. He was then sent to Utah residential treatment center, and then finished high school at a therapeutic boarding school. There are no words for this experience, although there have been blessings. I had the privilege of sitting in many, many group sessions hearing the teenagers stories. It opened my heart to the devastation that mental illness causes on teens and their families from all walks of life. It also taught me that Satan is ready to pounce and use these challenges to completely destroy families. My love for the fragility of life and love for human beings of all walks of life grew in this high stress environment.
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7. My age. I'm a young 53 - haha! and have lived long enough to see the joys, pains, and trials of life. When that is multiplied by the friends and family close to your heart, you face things you never planned on as a young bride with glimmer in your eyes for the future. We have faced deaths, divorces, betrayals, illnesses, estrangements, disappointments, and worry. Through it all, I have come to the realization and peace that God is God - He is fully good and fully able to carry us through any storm. Although we do not know why He has allowed evil and pain to be a part of our stories (even after taking the DTS course on the Theology of Suffering!) we have ultimate peace that He finds it necessary to accomplish His perfect will and He will make all things right in the end.
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Artifacts
The pin I was gifted in 1980 when I was ten years old reassuring me of my salvation.
First Campus Crusade training course for my parents going into full time ministry. I am in the blue shirt and was in seventh grade.
1995-2024 Twenty-Nine years of marriage will give you plenty of life experiences for growth to prepare for ministry!
Spending time in Utah with my son.
Being a special education teacher has shaped my heart and my ministry. I hope to blend the two together some day.
Ladies' Bible Studies started my itch to learn the Bible, inspired me to go to seminary, and sustains me in ministry and everyday living.
Learning Reflection Statement
When I began looking for an internship site, I was not sure what area was right for me. Hospital chaplaincy was on the short list, and I had interviewed several of them for chaplaincy related classes. I happened upon this new hybrid CPE program which would allow me to participate in this part of the state. I applied and interviewed and was so excited to get the position! This experience has been life changing and affirming. In my first final evaluation my CPE Educator wrote that I have taken to chaplaincy like a fish to water. I was very encouraged to read that because that is how I feel! I love it - I am challenged, but love the variety everyday I am there, I love the big cases, and I feel such a beautiful, organic relationship with the patients.
Learning Reflection Statement
I am honored to have attended DTS and to have found my "niche" in hospital ministry. Many of my friends my age are in a spot where they did not work much while raising kids, and now are trying to find a place back in world that is fulfilling. That's a challenge when you have been out for a while. Making the decision to pursue this is the best decision I've made in a long time. I feel like I am getting a new, challenging, meaningful career that I can't believe I get to do! I am thankful to the Lord for the guidance, for the professors I will miss learning under so much, for my CPE mentors, educators, and colleagues who have taught me about chaplaincy work. I am thankful for the support of my family and the patients of my friends with my busy schedule. And, I am thankful for the patients. I started praying for them 2 months before I started at LSU-Ochsner - knowing I would be encountering them in situations they then did not know would happen. I continue to pray for the ones I am seeing now and the ones I will see years from now, God willing. I have told people that chaplaincy is something I can continue to do as I age, as I can walk with a cane and still go comfort people. I am so grateful.