Thoughts from Andy
Many of you have heard me talk about hospital ministry in the past six months. The lessons I'm learning as a resident chaplain at Clarian Health have showed up in my sermons and in general conversation repeatedly. I believe hospital ministry is the perfect place for a Universalist to check out his faith as he serves people of all theological stripes. It is great ministry.
So when I was presented the opportunity to continue past December, when my residency ends, and to move into training to become a supervisor of other ministers as they do their own clinical training, I said yes. The plan was, for a while at least, to begin in January the two- to three-year process of becoming a Clinical Pastoral Education Supervisor. This is a fascinating career path which, while it would have moved me away from parish ministry as a career, would have afforded me some ministry opportunities that parish ministry doesn't provide; namely, the opportunity to serve ministers of all denominations.
However, as I was able to give the decision more thought, I just couldn't feel right about it. It makes sense to do the training. But what I have learned is that my soul is in the parish, the local congregation, and not in hospital ministry. I love hospital work and may do some chaplaincy work here and there, but I have decided that December 31, 2010 will end my clinical training.
I am reminded by going through this discernment process that soulful living is important for all of us. I am privileged to have the chance to choose between two forms of ministry I love. But all of us at one time or another will need to ask ourselves which of two options feeds our souls. This job or that one? Keeping or ending this relationship? Moving far away or staying put for now?
When these opportunities present themselves for you, I hope you'll pay attention to your soul, that part of you that loves deeply. I believe we do well to listen to that wild and unpredictable voice in the depth of the human spirit which doesn't always make sense, but usually points us in the most fulfilling direction.
--Rev. Andy
uuccrev@comcast.net
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