Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) blogs

About this blog

Lee Hinson-Hasty is coordinator for theological education and seminary relations in the General Assembly Mission Council of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

Through his work Lee hopes to capture and share a more expansive view of theological education, of church leadership and of vocational discernment as he sees through the eyes of some exciting Presbyterians in and related to seminaries.

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Office of Theological Education

Linde Groover, a recent graduate of the University of Virginia, a soon to be Teach for America teacher in St. Louis,  and a lifelong Presbyterian wrote a moving essay honoring her father that received widespread attention in June. CBS News aired in an interview with her and her Presbyterian Ruling Elder dad, Tim Groover, on the Early Show the week of Father's day. 

In her new blog (and I love this blog's name), "Changes on the 'Permanant Way'", Linde is cataloging her year at a TFA Corps Member.  In her first blog entry, she tells the story of coaching youth soccer and how through that experience she sees how a teacher, coach, and mentor can foster a shift in attitudes and outlook that really make a difference.  The impact move beyond the individual to teams, families, classrooms, workplaces, and other relationships including churches.

For a long time I have agreed with those who say leadership matters, I wonder if the Presbyterian Church could expand opportunities for our young adults to participate in programs like the ones I have named?  They would be afforded the opportunity, like Linde, to try on and try out her or his vocation, their call, in a place where God and our community need it the most.  They would have a place to live, a community of discernment and support, mentors and educators, food and a stipend for living expenses, health insurance and other support systems.  They would then be free to be themselves in service and in collaboration with partners making a difference in our broken world.  

Living as "A Brief Statement of Faith" says, 

In a broken and fearful world 
the Spirit gives us courage 
to pray without ceasing, 
to witness among all peoples to Christ as Lord and Savior, 
to unmask idolatries in Church and culture, 
to hear the voices of peoples long silenced, 
and to work with others for justice, freedom, and peace. 
In gratitude to God, empowered by the Spirit,
we strive to serve Christ in our daily tasks 
and to live holy and joyful lives, 
even as we watch for God's new heaven and new earth, 
praying, “Come, Lord Jesus!”

I am indebted to Kathy Wolf Reed, Associate Pastor for Youth and Families at First PC(USA), Tuscaloosa, Alabama, 2009 graduate of Columbia Theological Seminary, author for ThePresbyerianLeader.com as well as TheThoughfulChristian.com, and Vice-Chair of the Committee on Theological Education (and she's not even 30!) and other like her for inspiring me. Many of them participated as Corp Members of Teach For America, Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, the PC(USA) Young Adult Volunteer program, or similar programs in other denominations or other non-profits.  The leadership and community organizing skills along with a will to change the world are transferable to the Church context.  Moreover, these formative experiences shape young leaders with a will to change the world for the better and a way to live their Christian vocation that pleases them and, I believe, regularly glorifies God.

How are you, your community, your church, your presbytery, you yourself help making experiences like these a possibility for church leaders God is calling now?   How could you?  Or as the COTE 2011 Pentecost letter asks, Why not start a new ministry or ministry opportunity today? 

As Kathy as said, we are all called to ministry with young church leaders where those of us in positions of power are invited to welcome them en mesos - into our midst as those able to offer wisdom for today and tomorrow.

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