Acknowledgement

I was both pleased and disheartened to receive a recent email from the PC(USA). The message was sent to all who are seeking their first ordained call and stated the reality of how things stand along with some attempts at encouragement.

At last glance...there are 2303 persons seeking relocation in the PC(USA); 426 of these persons are seeking their first ordained call. There are 634 open positions; 190 of these are open to first call seekers. And, when it comes to the category most of the positions I'm interested in fall into, 'Associate Pastor (Other),' there are 61 open positions, with 29 open to first call seekers and 1234 persons after these positions.

You can perhaps see why I am disheartened without explanation. The odds stink. The numbers really are enough to make a person want to quit.

I was pleased, however, to finally have acknowledgement from my denomination of how difficult it is right now to be searching for a call. I have a very hard time explaining to anyone what it is like, especially those outside the process. I also find it hard to find any words that explain in logical, practical terms, why I stay in it. I just have to. Simple and complicated as that, all at once.

So for now the odds stink, but I'm staying in it fully believing I am where God wants me. And there is this one church who is "very interested" in me. God never promised this would be easy, only that I'd never be alone. Prayers and hope go out to the other 2302 pastors who search with me. May they know they are not alone.