Members train for pastoral care certification

Teaching Elders, or full-time ministers of word and sacrament, enter the Preparation for Ministry Process to seek First Church’s sponsorship and the Presbytery’s certification for ministry. This preparation process also provides a way for aspiring commissioned ruling elders to certify and provide pastoral care on a part-time basis. First Church is currently sponsoring two candidates for this role, Laura Stockbridge and Judith Land. Also sponsored by First Church, Faith Wambugu recently completed the process on May 26, 2023. Each candidate has seen God’s call revealing itself step by step through the process. Laura’s experience has shown her that sometimes a seemingly incidental step will turn out to be an essential part of God’s plan in the fullness of time. As she states, “A step doesn’t have to be huge. God can do a lot with a little. It is important to be open to the call. God does the rest.” Calls may come for a variety of ministries, whether to chaplaincy, leading Sunday school, or preaching. Each of these calls’ benefits from the study and training of the Preparation for Ministry Process.

Laura’s call began when she was a delegate to Indian Nations Presbytery and learned that some rural churches had not received communion in two years, and she thought, “Somebody should do something.” Later, she remembered, “I’m somebody. I’ll do something.” Currently working as a landman in the oil and gas industry, Laura enjoys the process of identifying relationships and piecing together genealogies to determine ownership of oil and gas leases. In a similar fashion, she tracks the work of God in her life through the influences and examples of people of faith. At the church in which Laura grew up, the congregation took their baptismal pledge seriously and ensured Laura had a right relationship with God. Through the combined influence of their sayings, beliefs and practices Laura learned from role models and elders at church to practice Christlikeness. Laura continues this tradition and finds constant inspiration in the Children’s ministry at First Church. “The children probably motivate me more than I them,” Laura says. For Laura, there is real beauty in the passing of faith from generation to generation.

When pastoral ministry is conducted in an institution other than the church, it is known as chaplaincy. Chaplains serve in institutions such as prisons, schools, hospitals and corporations. Faith Wambugu is currently a chaplain at Ascension St. John Hospital and recently has completed the preparation process to obtain the church’s blessing in this work. Faith’s preparation for ministry came after years of chaplaincy in prisons and hospitals in Kenya and the US. Educated in theology at East University in Kenya and Phillips Theological Seminary in Tulsa, the biggest hurdle for Faith was not the academic requirements. Rather, it was the requirement for a candidate for commissioned ruling elder to have served on session. Faith learned of this requirement after beginning inquiry into the process and waited in uncertainty as to whether she would ever one day be called to serve. Throughout she prayed for discernment, and Faith affirms there is spiritual growth in waiting.

“The role of chaplain is a voice of the church to the outside and a voice of the outside to the church.”
– Faith Wambugu

In her role, she stands alongside others facing difficult situations including terminal illness or the loss of a loved one. “You need to be able to practice discernment,” Faith asserts, “to know whether there is not much to say and it’s just a matter of being present, or whether a person needs you to look in their eyes and hug them or be with them as they process their grief.” Sometimes a person may be struggling with mistakes they have made in life, and Faith describes how chaplains learn how to be present with someone who has caused suffering. At such times Faith works to, “bring consolation to their families and themselves, to connect them with their maker so they can feel forgiven.”

Faith participates in a local organization of chaplains who support and mentor each other through this difficult work. She asks for the prays of the church for continued grace to connect with God in her calling and the work of chaplaincy. There is need for more chaplains and Faith is willing to share guidance in becoming a chaplain with anyone who is interested.

For Judith Land, the preparation for ministry process is a way to be available and equipped for whichever ministry God calls her. When leading First Church’s Westminster Sunday School in a series of classes on the Kingdom of God, she found that through her study, she was better informed and able to answer people’s questions and identify resources for their reference. She also knows more about the process of research in scripture. Formally trained as an accountant, Judith wants things to balance out and know whether following a process will give her the right answer. With scripture, however, interpreting and applying it is not often a uniform process. When she has questions, she collaborates with her fellow congregants for insight and resources for further study.

Working as an accountant during the COVID-19 pandemic, Judith would drive to work, work alongside one other person, and drive home. Throughout, she carried on long conversations with God that encouraged her to see her calling “to tell more people about Jesus.” Judith practices active listening as a part of this ministry and engages people in telling their stories so they feel seen and heard. She states, “A lot of people just want to be seen and acknowledged.”

Judith seeks to personally acknowledge others in the manner of Jesus and serves as a friend to the friendless. Living her faith this way, she grows in her dependence on God, affirming that she cannot live like Christ on her own. For Judith, the preparation for ministry process is one step in a lifetime of ongoing work to live the Kingdom of God.

The next article in this “Preparation for Ministry Process” series will feature updates on past completers of the process and their current ministry.

About the author: Nick McMillan is a class of 2025 deacon, Exodus high school Sunday School adult leader and co-chair of communion. He enjoys leading small group bible studies with youth and is a frequent participant in the Before the Rooster Crows Bible study. He joined First Church in June 2021 and is grateful for this opportunity to learn more about the preparation process and current candidates.