A grateful ending: brief reflections on ministry
 

30 June marked my retirement from Baptist ministry, after 41 years as a preacher and three very different ministries over the past 24 years, writes Ivan King 

Friends recently asked me what aspects of ministry have meant the most to me in this time. Can you really distil calling, connection and challenge into a few paragraphs? Let’s have a go…

Firstly, the people. The pastoral moments—the quiet cups of tea, the prayers, the laughter, the tears and yes, the arguments too. These have made for a shared experience of life and faith. Ministry, at its heart, is profoundly relational and I have certainly found that Walter Wangerin was right: “In the terrible, terrible doing of ministry is the minister born.” [i]

I have been shaped by the faith and experience of others far more than I ever expected. I am grateful for those people who have trusted me with matters they would be uncomfortable sharing more widely and for colleagues who have become firm friends; especially those who have lovingly challenged me.

I have cherished the rhythms of worship. The familiar turn of the church year, spiced with those moments when God's presence seems stronger.  I was a preacher before I was a pastor and I have loved wrestling with the Bible in order to speak, including the late nights when the message has not yet come clearly enough to share coherently. I have always found that, if the preacher is diligent and when people come wanting to hear from God, they are fed for the journey of faith, even if what they actually hear is not at all what the preacher said!

Then there is the variety and the unexpected. Ministry is full of surprises. People do not have their crises by appointment.

Recently I mentioned to a friend who is shortly to be ordained that I still take two paper tissues with me each day. One of these is kept unused (left-hand pocket) for those not infrequent occasions when what begins as a casual conversation leads to someone sharing poignant experiences accompanied by tears.

Baptisms! The starting line of obedience to the call of Christ. Times of celebration and joy as the church welcomes new members or commits others to the loving care of God. Seeing others grow into using their gifts well. Shared church meals and lots of cake.

All these have been very good. Yet what has meant the most to me is that somehow, strangely, the God who loves us all can use broken and bumbling people to carry his light into the world and to speak his words with love, grace and sometimes his fire too.

As I step back from formal ministry, I am not stepping away from faith and church—just from rotas, leadership, emails and committees. I am grateful beyond words for the privilege it has been to serve. My hope is that retirement means the opportunity to refocus on discipleship, family, friends and hobbies and to pray for friends who continue to serve Christ and his church.
 

Ivan King is a Baptist Christian in Southend-on-Sea. Lover of books, dogs, Bogart movies and walks that lead to quiet pubs. Liver & bacon fanatic

[i] 'The Making of a Minister' in Wangerin, W. (2004). Ragman And Other Cries of Faith – reissue. Harper Collins. p73-79 This is a seriously moving story, which I commend


 

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