Life is a “DASH”
This past week, I had my second CORMS (Committee on Ordination Recognition and Ministerial Standing) interview to share my understanding of Christian doctrine and theology. This is the final step in ABC (American Baptist Churches) Indiana/Kentucky determining if they would recognize my ordination. This has been a long time coming.
I felt the call to ministry as a sophomore in high school (2008), got my undergraduate degree in Information Technology at ISU (2015), started work as a Network Admin, and then finally started Seminary at Wesley Seminary (2016). I finally got into a rhythm with my seminary work as I started in full-time ministry at Madison First Baptist Church in Madison, Indiana (2019) but then had open heart surgery (2021). So, finally, in 2023, I completed my Masters of Divinity and began the process towards ordination. While my church could simply ordain me, I wanted to have it recognized by our region and denomination (ABC USA).
This process involved a psychological exam, a Baptist History/Polity Course, a Healthy Boundaries course, and two interviews (one about my faith journey/call and another about my understanding of Christian doctrine/theology). This week, I completed the final step, the final interview. While I’m not ordained yet, the region has recommended my congregation ordain me and that the region and denomination would recognize that ordination.
If you have read this far, you may have wondered why you have. Why share all of this? And what does it have to do with the title of this post? This week, I stumbled upon a song on an album that will be released at the end of the month. The song is Dash by Crowder and Toby Mac. The entire focus of the song is what we are ultimately doing with our lives. Are we doing what God has ultimately called us to do, and how short is this life? I have linked the song below so you can listen, but I want to look at just one verse.
I could take this life.
And live it well
Or I could keep on living it for myself
What’s He gonna say when He calls me up?
Was I just words
Or was I love
Did I love great or just good enough
I just hope He says well doneCrowder with Toby Mac “Dash”
These are not the exact words, but I have asked myself these questions over and over the last eight years. I can honestly say that there have been moments I know I did “love great” and also “just good enough.” I have had to rely on the grace of Christ to work in me and through me around every moment of life. This post only focuses on my journey to ordination. My wife has been by my side every step of the way. She has sacrificed time with me as I complete papers and study, has done all the mom things while we were in the process of adopting our sweet little girl, and supported me through my open heart surgery.
Ordination is part of my story, but there is much more to my life. The most important moment in our lives is our encounter with Christ. Do we meet, recognize, and put our faith in Him, following Him with our entire lives? I pray that anyone reading this might realize that maybe that hard thing in front of you, professionally or personally, is something God will use to help you continue to draw others to Himself through Christ and your story with Christ. The fact is that God is calling all of us to Himself through Christ.
So today, maybe listen to the song below and ask God to lead you in what you are going through. Ask Him to lead you in using this life that these musicians so honestly label “just a dash.”
I have also linked my “Statement of Theology” that was discussed at my final interview for those inquiring minds. The views in this paper are my own and would love to grab a cup of coffee with anyone who would like to discuss. I also know I am a disciple who wants to grow. I know some of these perspectives and understanding may change over time.