Question Two

What effect has the practice of ministry had on your understanding of humanity and the need for divine grace? Wow. I wish I had read the first question in light of the second one! However, the two are very much tied together in very inseparable ways. This unfortunately will not suffice with the Board of Ordained Ministry, so I had better give it the old college try.

One can only speculate on the ways which God works in and through us. There are those unexplainable events in our lives which seem to be either coincidence or divine intervention. The check arrives at the time we need it, turning left would have resulted in an accident, or the mysterious disappearance of a fatal disease causes us to place the thanks in God's hands. We should do this for as the Scripture tells us... all good things come from God.

The much less mysterious and more measurable cause and effect comes when we act as agents for the Divine. As such we can become imitators of God or work against the Kingdom either overtly or passively. An example of this would be the current state of affairs with the National Health Care Plan. Many people in this debate have used the name of God to promote their preference. If our own preference is to protect our own wallets or prevent the "undeserving" to receive medical treatment, or because we don't like a particular political party, I would argue that God's interests of the care for humanity is being neglected. (That is if a viable plan were available) On the other hand, there are some people who argue for the care of our neighbor out of obligation to the greatest commandment which says we are to love. (Ok that is a biased example)

I would say that humanity, in light of my practice of ministry is much in need of God's grace. I says this because we all lack the ability to make unbiased Kingdom judgments. The church has as one author accuses become judgmental, irrelevant, and homophobic. There are people outside the Church in need of communities of faith, which we would exclude. Both sides need God's grace.

In the broadest possible terms... We are all deficient in one way or another. Humanity, whether expressed in terms of individuals or bureaucracies, need the kind of help that only God can provide. How do we do this? I believe it is only through the practice of ministry in light of that great commandment. If we love God and our neighbor, we will be less likely to base decisions on selfish bents.

Ok... I need to work on these first two questions. You may see them again.