Now that I have graduated from Calvin Theological Seminary and have been declared to be a Candidate for Ministry in the Christian Reformed Church in North America, I’m making connections with search committees who are looking for pastors for their congregations.  It’s a time of waiting – on God’s leading and directions, and for the various processes of congregations.

     During this time, I’m getting into some daily habits that I think will serve me well in the ministries wherever God calls me.  Some of these habits are reading the Bible in a year [using a format from Logos Bible Software], reading theology, ten minutes of reading Greek or Hebrew aloud, devotional reading, and reading various other types of books.  Right now, I’m reading The Sense of the Call – a sabbath way of life for those who serve God, the church, and the world by Marva Dawn.  I’m also working on writing sermons, with the hope of sharpening my skills.

Coming into the home stretch here at Calvin Theological Seminary, I faced three big events:

• March 13, 2013 – Oral Comprehensive Examination in the presence of 2 professors and 1 local pastor
• April 12, 2013 – Candidacy Interview with 4-member panel of pastors, hoping to receive their recommendation that I be declared a candidate for ministry in the Christian Reformed Church in North America
• May 1, 2013 – Oral Defense of my assigned Pastoral Case Study Portfolio and Recommended Approach

I can now report and rejoice that in God’s strength, I was able to successfully pass all 3 of these evaluations!!!

There are 2 upcoming events that will help celebrate the completion of my seminary education:

• Commencement – May 18, 11:00 AM at Calvin College’s Covenant Fine Arts Center
• CRCNA Synod of 2013 – June 10 & 11
  • June 10 – the vote to declare us as candidates
  • June 11, 9:30 – Synod welcomes and worships with the candidates

After that, I am able to receive a call from a congregation and consider where God would like me to serve him and his church.

Know of a church that is looking for a pastor?  Feel free to let them know of my interest!