A Busy New Year Begins

There has been a lot going on recently. First, Erin and I expressed interest in volunteering with the youth group this academic year at Calvary. We will be leading along with the O'Learys and Dan (all friends from seminary and church). The youth group meets after evening worship twice a month (it met only once a month last year). We will also be leading the 7th-12th grade Sunday School class with the O'Learys. Erin and I are very excited about these opportunities to serve and minister as we have been served and ministered to by Calvary in the past year!

Furthermore, I am in the process of coming under the care of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church's presbytery of Philadelphia as a candidate for eventual licensure and ordination. (The presbytery is a ruling body consisting of pastors and elders [presbyters] from all the OPC churches in the area which provides accountability and oversight to those churches.) Last night I met with the session (elder board) of Calvary to discuss my calling to ministry, and they have recommended me to the presbyter for care! Then, I met this morning with the presbytery's Committee on Candidates and Credentials which discussed some similar things with me. I was questioned on how I came to faith, why I desire to serve with the OPC, what service I think God is calling me to render, my wife's opinion of my seeking ministry, etc. The committee also decided to recommend me to the presbytery, so I will attend the next meeting of the presbytery on September 15th where I will be questioned in a similar manner for the benefit of the entire presbytery, who will then decide whether to extend such care.

If I do come under care, I will then have opportunities for internships next summer, a sizable scholarship from the presbytery, and further guidance in seeking God's calling and ordination. I will then prepare for and take several exams and submit papers for licensure which will test my preaching ability and knowledge of Greek, Hebrew, theology, and the OPC's doctrinal standards. Finally, I will be examined before the presbytery again so that they may question me on the above topics.I believe that I may submit papers from school for several of the requirements, and my seminary education will obviously be preparing me for much of the above examinations, but please pray for me in this busy time with so much on my plate. Pray that God would work through this process to mold and shape me into the minister and believer he would want me to be.

Classes begin tomorrow, and I will be taking 18 hours this semester. We will be busy indeed!

A letter from Guy de Bres

I came across this letter written by Guy de Bres to his wife shortly before his martyrdom. I found it very encouraging.