Thursday, my hubby and I have our ordination exams. I am really, really nervous. At first I was nervous because I had no idea what to expect. I’ve learned a bit more in the last 24 hours and now I am nervous because I don’t feel ready. I was told that they ask questions from the exam. That’s only slightly bad. I’m not sure I remember all the verses that went with everything. But then I was told they will definitely ask the questions that you got wrong! Well, that’s just great! They didn’t tell us what we got wrong. I have some idea from what I didn’t know when taking the exam, but that doesn’t cover all my missed answers! I only got an 88%. I know maybe 5% of the questions I got wrong. So I am super nervous.
The other thing I have to be able to do is give evidence of my call. That doesn’t sound too hard, but I never had any “Aha!” moments. My call was gradual. At first I knew that I would be a pastor’s wife. When I got out of college I felt led to become licensed without any thought of ever being ordained. I received a specialized ministry license. I was sure I was never going to preach. I knew I was avoiding it and eventually I was ready to listen to God and switch to license to preach. At that point, I figured I may as well go all the way and get ordained. I feel called, but that’s not really too much evidence. I suppose that since it is the truth and I can talk about it passionately, I should be fine, but I’m still nervous.
I am still seeking more information if anyone has an idea of what goes on in an Assemblies of God ordination interview. I would love to have a better idea. Is there just one interview or several? You would think that since my grandfather, father, father-in-law were pastors and I grew up in the AG, I should have a better idea. I don’t!
Please pray for me. I need it. I need it now as I study and Thursday as I get interviewed. Thanks!
30/10/2007 at 9:38 am Permalink
I’ll be praying…
Nov 1 we celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary!
A big day for each of us but for two different reasons! But God is still God over both…
May God give you wisdom and a sound mind. I’ve a feeling you’ll do well!
30/10/2007 at 9:45 am Permalink
Congrats on 20 years!
I hope you are right!
30/10/2007 at 10:49 am Permalink
Lord God, grant Elaine your peace and presence. May the Holy Spirit give her the words to say. Thank you for being in control. Amen
30/10/2007 at 5:28 pm Permalink
I will be praying so much on Thursday for you! I believe that God himself will give you the answers you need, and will show up in a big way and just blow that room away! I am praying for that!
I am a believer that God does not take us part way, HE takes us all the way. I love your call, and it is very realistic to the way God works in a heart! Love you sister, and can’t wait to hear how HE showed up! Princess to Princess!
30/10/2007 at 8:24 pm Permalink
Ahhhhh! Gotta love those interviews! How did it go?
30/10/2007 at 9:32 pm Permalink
AnneMarie – I will let you know. The interview is on Thursday. I can’t wait till it’s over!
31/10/2007 at 7:55 am Permalink
You know, the ‘evidence’ that matters is what you already know and have written about – God’s leading in your life. You could have stuck your fingers in your spiritual ears and said, “nope nope nope… I signed up to be a pastor’s wife…”
so – from one whose fingers are also removed – Go in grace and walk in peace – rooting for you!
deb
31/10/2007 at 3:15 pm Permalink
The only advice I have is that given to me when I went thru my ordination interviews for the UMC: take deep breaths. Ask for clarification if you don’t understand the question, or if you see that your answer is not what they are looking for. And as far as your call goes, it’s yours, and no one else’s: speak the truth as you know it, and the Spirit in you will be evident.
I’ll be praying for grace, peace, and the examiners’ eye to be opened to the calling of God in your life!
31/10/2007 at 4:35 pm Permalink
Will be praying here too!
31/10/2007 at 8:07 pm Permalink
Thanks to everyone for thier encouraging words. I appreciate your thoughts and prayers. I will definitely let everyone know how it goes. Right now I am busy make sure my clothes are perfect and ready to jump into tomorrow morning. We have to take the kids to the babysitters (a friend’s house), but it’s 30 min. in the wrong direction, so we have a like a 3.5 hour drive. But, I am so relieved I have a babysitter! And such a great one (in case she’s reading this
).
31/10/2007 at 10:48 pm Permalink
Prayers coming your way! Your process is so different from ours (PCUSA) so I can be of no other help but to pray.
For my “final” interview I managed to quote three theologians and talk about God’s grace and mercy…I think secretly, I was hoping for some grace and mercy!
Anyhow, deep calming breaths and you honestly can’t be worse than the recent ‘local” pageant here. One young lady was asked,” If you could be any vegetable, what would you be?”
Her answer? A strawberry, because they are the same inside and out and they are sweet!
Okey-dokey. So, just think, I’m a turnip, I’m a squash, I’m a cabbge, i’m a zuccinni…
01/11/2007 at 3:51 am Permalink
Praying today (a little early cos of the time difference) let us know how it goes
01/11/2007 at 4:37 am Permalink
praying right now for you! it’s 5:35 am where I am, but I know God can handle the time difference! Love ya sister
01/11/2007 at 7:45 am Permalink
Thanks everyone! I’m about to leave to drop off the kids and head to Detroit.
01/11/2007 at 11:53 am Permalink
If you worry, you didn’t pray. If you pray, don’t worry.
01/11/2007 at 1:19 pm Permalink
prayin’ for you red…
01/11/2007 at 3:51 pm Permalink
Remember it is all about Jesus and the Word of God. Let the Holy Spirit lead you. My prayers are with you.
02/01/2008 at 5:32 pm Permalink
the man I love Sergio walked out on me and his daughter on new years eve and have not heard from him since.
he has been trying very hard to stop drinking. I feel so alone and think of killing myself. I need the
Lord in my life and hope that my relationship with Sergio will be restored. Please help me…i continue
to pray and pray but seems like nothing is happening. I do have faith in the Lord and I always send money
when I can. I want to be happy and feeling that I have not felt in a long time….please help with your
prayers. In the name of Jesus I believe!!!!
03/01/2008 at 12:26 pm Permalink
Lisa,
I will pray for you. Put all your trust in God. Give Him your life and He will guide you. It’s not always easy, but it is always comforting to know He has you in His hands. It makes everything in life easier to bear.
21/02/2008 at 10:25 pm Permalink
pray that my wife rebekah will get Govt Job.
pray for finances per month $1500
pray that we will have own house .
pray for more church contact.
pray for more prayer suppoters.
pray for more staff to work with us.
pray for God’s protection.
pray for own land 5 acres.