- Participating in Theological Praxis
- Practicing theological reflection and engagement as part of one’s sense of ministerial identity.
- Integrating theological reflection in teaching, preaching, and ecclesial and community leadership.
- Articulating a theology and practice of ministry consistent with the UCC Manual on Ministry.
- Demonstrating an appreciation for and participation in the ecumenical and interfaith partnerships of the UCC.
- Experiencing and appreciating a variety of theological perspectives.
- Embodying the UCC Ministerial Code.
1. Practicing theological reflection and engagement as part of one’s sense of ministerial identity.
I believe that this mark asks me to both intentionally as well as continually reflect on how my beliefs about God, Jesus, humanity, and justice directly shape my ministry as a pastor. Through my academic studies at Wesley Theological Seminary, I have had the opportunity to engage in studying liberation theology. Through this experience, I have been challenged to consider salvation not only as an individual hope for life after death. The salvation of Christ goes beyond us as individuals because it is also God’s work within history, confronting oppression and restoring human dignity; the salvation Christ preached, as seen in Luke 4:18-19, was about salvation here and now. I have also learned, through my academic studies at Wesley Theological Seminary, as well as practically through both my internship at Penbrook United Church of Christ and employment, that theology becomes meaningful when it is applied in such a manner that it shapes how I respond to suffering, oppression and exclusion. Through this process, one growing edge that I have identified is that I need to continually examine my theological assumptions- that my opinion or perspective is not the only one nor the correct one. It is crucial that I engage perspectives that challenge me, that are opposite of me, so that I may allow reflection to deepen rather than confirm my convictions .
2. Integrating theological reflection in teaching, preaching, and ecclesial and community leadership.
This mark asks me to make theological reflection an active part of my ministry decisions rather than keeping theology confined to the experiences I have had in my academic study. While an intern at Penbrook United Church of Christ, I had the opportunity to work alongside the Stewardship Committee to draft a budget. During one meeting, I invited the committee to reflect on how they could utilize their funding in ways that reflect their theology and beliefs as a community. I asked them what does their budget say about what is important to them, where may Christ be calling them as a congregation. As a result of these theological reflections and conversations, the congregation ultimately approved a budget that included funding for social justice programs. I have learned that ministry is more faithful when practical decisions emerge from thoughtful theological reflection. I need to become more intentional about explaining the theological reasoning behind ministry choices and inviting others into that process.
3. Articulating a theology and practice of ministry consistent with the UCC Manual on Ministry.
This mark asks me to explain how my understanding of ministry aligns with the United Church of Christ’s commitments to calling, preparation, authorization, covenant, and accountability. Participating in the discernment process and preparing reflections on the Marks has helped me in identifying how my gifts and experiences relate to the responsibilities of authorized ministry. I have learned that a personal sense of call must be considered alongside the Church’s responsibility to discern and authorize ministry. I need to continue studying the United Church of Christ’s polity, ministerial ethics, and the expectations of authorized ministers. It is important that I continue this study because it will continue to inform and help to articulate my theology of ministry clearly and responsibly.
4. Demonstrating an appreciation for and participation in the ecumenical and interfaith partnerships of the UCC.
This mark asks me to recognize that faithful Christian witness can be strengthened through relationships with other Christian traditions and people of other faiths. Recently, I was able to participate in project that consisted of writing the names of children who had died as a result of the current Israeli Palestinian conflict. This project consisted of persons from across faith traditions, both Christian and not. In addition to this project, I have served, and founded in 2010, the Butler Interfaith Network which was a collaborative of clergy and laity across faith traditions. I have learned that cooperation does not require abandoning my Christian identity and that listening across religious differences can deepen my understanding of both others and myself. I need to grow in my knowledge of other religious traditions and seek more opportunities for sustained relationships rather than relying on assumptions.
5. Experiencing and appreciating a variety of theological perspectives.
This mark asks me to engage theological diversity with intellectual curiosity as well as with humility and discernment. Through my studies at Wesley Theological Seminary as well as through the ecumenical nature of my background, I have come into contact with a variety of theological perspectives. While attending courses for my Master’s of Divinity at Wesley Theological Seminary, I frequently participated in discussions about atonement, salvation, biblical interpretation, and the nature of God. Each of these discussions have opened me up to and intentionally exposed me to perspectives that greatly differ from my own theological beliefs and understandings. I have learned through these various discussions and experiences that disagreement can strengthen theological understanding, but only when people listen carefully to each other and take one another seriously. In the future, I need to continue engaging authors and traditions that challenge my progressive Christian convictions, while also remaining clear about my own commitments that guide my ministry.
6. Embodying the UCC Ministerial Code.
This mark is one that is very important because I believe that it is asking me to demonstrate integrity, accountability, appropriate boundaries, confidentiality, and responsible conduct in relationships with both members of the congregation that I will one day serve but also with my colleagues and fellow pastors. During my time in human-services/caseworker supervision at both Allegheny County’s Office of Children, Youth and Families as well as Cumberland County’s Children and Youth Services, in addition to my role as a service coordinator for a major insurance company, I have learned that protecting confidential information, documenting decisions accurately, and maintaining professional boundaries are essential responsibilities for human services professionals. These practices not only inform my work as a social worker, but I also believe that they also inform ethical ministry. I have learned throughout my professional career that good intentions alone do not guarantee someone to engage in ethical conduct. Far too often I have seen leadership who had good intentions who also behaved in unethical manners. I believe that clear standards and accountability are necessary to ethical conduct. If conduct is inappropriate, there must be an outline/standard that addresses it and there must be accountability for those aforementioned actions. In moving forward as a pastor, I must continue familiarizing myself with the United Church of Christ’s Ministerial Code as well as seek consultation when I am potentially facing an ethical dilemma rather than relying solely on personal judgment because an outsiders perspective is invaluable in these types of situations.
Participating in Theological Praxis
My theological education has profoundly influenced my ministry. My theological education has continued to shape how I understand and respond to the world. When I encounter oppression, suffering, or injustice, I ask not only what I believe about God, but also how those beliefs may and should affect my actions. I want my theology to be visible in the way I preach, lead, care for others, and participate in the life of the community.
