My First Steps Into Ordained Ministry

Greenhorn, Rookie, Novice, Newcomer, Wet-Behind-The-Ears, Newbie, and last but not least… Pastor! On July 18th I was ordained at my home congregation, Trinity Lutheran Church, in Jeromesville, Ohio and on August 23rd I preached my first sermon and presided over communion at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Newcastle, Wyoming, my first call as a pastor! The last 8 years have been leading up to this moment, from studying at the Religion department at Ohio Northern University where I got my Bachelor of Arts to the three years at the North American Lutheran Seminary in Ambridge, PA, to being the understudy to the Rev. Eric Waters and the Rev. Rob Weber as the Vicar at St. John Lutheran Church in Boerne, Texas for a year after graduation. For years people asked, “Where are you in your studies?” and “When will you be ordained?” As time went on my answers to those questions changed as I made progress toward my goal of getting my MDiv and being ordained, and finally, the end has come and I have crossed over into a new beginning!

With so many years being a college student, seminarian, and vicar, I was used to following around my supervisors, watching them handle various issues and taking mental notes on what to do or not to do in certain situations. Now, after being prepared, examined, and ordained into Christ’s Church, I have been sent out to pastor a church without a supervisor down the hall to fall back on and direct questions to. I am that guy! At first the thought of being “the guy” scared me, but I was reminded of what God said to Moses in Exodus 4:11-12,

Then the Lord said to him, ‘Who has made man’s mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.

It is a comfort beyond reason, a peace beyond understanding, to know and trust that the Lord has gone before me, walks beside me, and stands behind me in everything I do, but particularly as I lead Christ the King as their pastor. Growing up in my grandfather’s house and watching him pastor my home congregation, I knew from a young age that it is serious business, that it is not a “job” that simply deals with numbers or moving product, but is the shepherding of souls, and that is not something to be trifled with. When I think about this, I am sometimes assailed by doubts and think, “Lord! Why me? Anyone else could have been better!” Again, He who has made my mouth and my eyes says to me to the words of 2 Corinthians 12:9,

My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.

As I have been at Christ the King these last few weeks, I have leaned into my weakness and into the strength Christ gives, letting Him guide me into places unknown. Being a native of Ohio, moving to Wyoming and entering into a small community was intimidating at first. I soon learned that it is a welcoming community and one that hungers for the gospel and the love of Jesus Christ. Everything that I have learned over the last 8 years, from the expert theological education under Dr. Luy and Dr. Pierce at the NALS to being mentored by the masters of leadership, the Rev. Eric Waters and Rev. Rob Weber, has come to this point, has come to form me into the pastor that I am today. I may be a greenhorn and wet-behind-the-ears compared to many who are in ministry today, but in spite of my inexperience at being “the guy,” the Lord has and will guide me to shepherd His flock.

I am convinced that if the Lord has taken me this far, there is nothing He can’t overcome and there is no person whom He can’t guide. If you are wondering why you have been chosen to do what you are doing, asking the question, “Why me?”—keep trusting, keep praying, and lean into your weakness, trusting that the Lord will accomplish through you what He has purposed, for His power is made perfect in weakness, Amen!

Photos courtesy of Caitlin Nobile.