Is There Life After Ordination?

About the Book

Introduction - This book arises out of a keen awareness that the loss of vitality in clergy’s sense of call has a profound impact upon their life and ministry, and immobilizes the program and mission of the congregations which they serve. And while considerable work has been done on the causes of ministerial burn-out, the focus now needs to be placed on what keeps alive the sense of call, and on what can be done towards enhancing the vitality of the spirits of clergy. How can one determine what keeps alive the sense of call?

By going to the “living, breathing source” and listening together with clergy, for the call at work in their lives, key factors affecting the call are discerned and discussed. How these interviews with clergy are set up, the importance of an “I - Thou” relationship, how one is perceived as interviewer, the way in which proposed questions are developed, the diversity of the clergy interviewed, and an overview of the variety of ministries included are issues that are considered. Before proceeding further, it becomes important to clarify how clergy understand the word “call’ itself.

Chapter I - Diverse Understandings of the Word “Call” - Widespread diversity is revealed. Two things becomes clear: (1) It is the experience of the sense of call, rather than the particular defining words which one uses, that affects vitality of call, and (2) Whether clergy view the call as having occurred in the past alone, or whether it involves the on-coming, on-going leading of the Spirit is a key question.

Chapter II - The Vitality of the Call in the Personal Experience of Clergy - A distinction is made between the personal experience clergy have of the call and their experience of it as they serve the church. The interviews disclose a continuing tension which exists between personhood and professional role and reveal how the balance between personhood and professional role can be pulled in one direction or the other.

To better understand this tension and balance it becomes important to deal with the meaning of personhood. Drawing upon the work of John MacMurray and Martin Buber, and suggesting ways in which personhood and professional role interact, the question is raised, is there an image that can help understand this interaction? The optical metaphor “transparency” is set forth, and a concrete example is provided.

Chapter III - The Evolving Nature of the Sense of Call - The interviews reveal a marked dynamism in the sense of call, at times leading clergy to move in diverse theological directions. For most clergy the call is not a once-for-all personal upheaval but a process of growth. For some the process is well nigh a matter of life and death. The importance of continuing confirmations of the sense of call is disclosed. While acknowledging the value they can have, caution is expressed whether one can become overly concerned about them.

Wide diversity is disclosed as to the role of disciplines in maintaining vitality of the spirit. Some clergy argue strongly for spontaneity. The role of spiritual directors and the use of mantras is discussed. The interviews reveal important conditions, personal and corporate, which energize ministry.

Chapter IV - The Vitality of the Call as Experienced in Serving the Church - The special role which a minister’s leadership style has, how it impacts his or her spirit, and how a controlling style can encumber the vitality of the sense of call are concerns that are cited. Control needs are seen as both overt and subtle. How clergy deal with these needs is discussed. The challenge of providing effective leadership while not being controlling, is set forth. Rich examples of collegial approaches to ministry and their positive effect upon the sense of call are provided.

Noting that a collegial approach to ministry need not at all imply a passive leade

About the Author

Edward Castner has spent a total of 29 years as pastor in five very different congregations, including one interim pastorate, and has served for 11 years on a denominational staff with major responsibility for the pastoral care of clergy. In that responsibility he was in a unique position to conduct the interviews which are the basis of this study, and to interpret them for the benefit of the larger church and community. A graduate of Cornell University and Union Theological Seminary in New York, he did a Doctor of Ministry project at Drew Theological School on “The Role of the Imagination in Vitalizing Personal and Corporate Christian Experience Through Local Church Ministry.” He has had a long term and deep interest in the meaning of vocation, and in listening for and discerning the sense of call. Now retired he is serving as Minister of Visitation at the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme, Connecticut.