Thinking and praying about...

This morning Jeff had his last lecture for his second out of three years at Theological College, studying for a Masters of Divinity, with a view to being a church minister. Since Jeff started studying at TTC, we've talked a lot about what he'll be doing at the end. Before all this, he was an engineer (a water and sewerage engineer, to be precise) and he laughingly referred to himself as the "poo pipe man". While we're growing in our confidence and faith in the idea of Jeff being a church minister, we are at present grappling with the question of which denomination he will work with and for.

In Darwin, we attended a Baptist church. Jeff attended this church with his family when he was younger and then we started going there around the time we got married. It was through an Alpha course at this church that I realised that God was trustworthy and came to an adult faith in Jesus Christ as my saviour. When we moved to Perth, we started attending a Baptist church a few suburbs from our new home. Many of our biggest encouragements and blessings over the last year have come through the small group from this church (us and two other couples, all with young children) that we meet with once a week for Bible Study. We were comfortable within the Baptist denomination and have appreciated the sound biblical teaching we have received within its congregations.

In Jeff's first year at TTC he was sent to a Uniting church, closer in to the city, for a week of helping them in mission and ministry. He got on very well with the minister of that church, finding in him a man who loved God and His Word and also had many of the qualities that make a man a wonderful pastor to his congregation (like a shepherd who lovingly tends to his flock). Many of the congregation were born overseas - Singapore, South Africa, Indonesia - and there are people of all ages sitting in the pews. After much thought, prayer and godly cousel, Jeff asked to be taken on as a Ministry Intern one day a week for 12 months at this church, which we now attend as a family.

Jeff has learnt a lot from the minister at this church who has carefully mentored and guided him as he has taken on various roles within the congregation, teaching an older Sunday school class, co-leading and coaching the other leader of a young adult Bible Study and co-ordinating a men's breakfast (to happen tomorrow) as well as preaching occasionally. I have really appreciated the friendships I have made within the congregation: the minister's wife who always seems to have a moment to answer my questions from mundane to serious; another couple whose older daughter attends Jeff's YABS and who we asked to be Samuel's godparents; and an elderly widow whose husband was minister at this church several decades ago. Our kids have been welcomed and have made several friends among the other children of the congregation.

As he nears the end of his contract at the Uniting church, with another year of Theological college still to go, Jeff has been thinking about the possibility of becoming an ordained minister within the Uniting Church denomination. He discussed it recently with our minister after another ordained minister within our congregation suggested he think about it. Jeff also talked to his college's Principal about it, and received a positive response.

In some ways, it seems a surprise for Jeff to be even considering this step (having been 'raised' Baptist). Upon reflection, however, I can see how God has led us steadily and gently towards this point.

This morning during my quiet time, I prayed for my husband. That he might have God's wisdom as he makes this decision, receiving godly counsel from faithful Christians that will guide him. That he will be able to enter and move through the process smoothly. That he will continue forward with the same passion to see Christians discipled in their walk with God that he has had since we first attended church together in Darwin. That he will be able to balance the requirements of his MDiv study, his commitments within our church, whatever he is expected to do in this process and his role as husband and father, well and without exhaustion.

I would appreciate your prayers for him in this as well.