Monday Ministerial Musings
By Rev. Mark William Ennis
2023 Blog #26
June 26, 2023
“Under Care” of Classis
On Thursday evening I spent a wonderful meeting at a meeting of our Classis. For those of you unfamiliar with the terminology of the Reformed Church, a “Classis” is roughly the equivalent of a Roman Catholic Diocese. Our Classis met on Thursday and amid all the business, a most wonderful event happened.
Two of the students who were training to become ministers, passed their final exams and are now free to seek ministerial positions. These two have been students of our Classis for a number of years as they received their educations and were mentored by members of our Classis.
Shortly after these two were approved by classis, two new students came under the care of our classis. These two are students in seminary and will be mentored by classis members who will guide them toward their ultimate goal: to become ministers in the Reformed Church in America. One of these two, Ivan Gil, is the gentleman who is building an Hispanic Ministry in our congregation. This step by Classis is the first of many steps on his road toward ordination as a Minister of Word and Sacrament.
It was a proud moment for me to stand near Ivan as he read the declaration to become a student of our classis. I remember similar feelings a number of years ago when a young woman from our congregation, and my daughter, came under care of our Classis. Both of these young women are now ministers.
So, for Ivan, how long will this process take? I don’t know. It differs by student. He must finish his education, continue the mentoring of Classis, and be examined each year by members of Classis. I can tell you from experience that the preparation for ministry is long and difficult. Yet, it is sacred process that can test and strengthen faith. It is one that must never be taken without prayer, prayer for oneself and other prayers offered by others on behalf of the student.
And so, this blog is a celebratory announcement as well as a prayer request. Please be prayerful for Ivan Gil as he prepares for ministry and please be prayerful for the Classis of Greater-Palisades as we seek to properly mentor and prepare Ivan for ministry.
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#ChristianMinisters #Ordination
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