Points of Light - It Is Worth All The Trouble
Rev. Fr. Yeghia Hairabedian
Pastor
St. James Armenian Church
Sacramento. California
Pastor
St. James Armenian Church
Sacramento. California
Like any other newly-ordained priest, I began my ministry with many goals in mind and with much enthusiasm. However, the reality of the day-to-day administrative functions of the ministry-such as functioning as the office manager, making sure the church supplies have been ordered, that mailings are done and worrying whether or not every period and dot is in place in the monthly newsletter and bulletins and every name spelled correctly, in addition to overseeing all the church organizations-all this can be overwhelming and can seem to take away from the pastoral and spiritual priorities of the priest. In short, the calling of the priesthood may resemble that of a glorified secretary or a social director. Nevertheless, from time to time, incidents occur which make me say, "It is worth it after all."
One such incident took place during an especially busy week. I was trying to get the church monthly newsletter out in the mail and the Sunday bulletin needed many corrections. That week there was much demand on my time from the junior youth group. In that hectic situation, I received a phone call from a former church member. The caller was a woman about 40 years of age. In a very disturbed tone of voice she asked if I would conduct her burial service. This woman wouldn’t give her name but she explained that due to various circumstances, she was extremely depressed and financially destitute, therefore she planned to commit suicide. She had a teenage daughter who, she said, "hates me," and she had made arrangements for someone to adopt her after she killed herself. In this critical situation, I spent same time talking to her an the phone. I was able to calm this lady down. Then, to the best of my ability, I explained to her that God loves her very much and that her life is very precious; so precious that God’s Son, Jesus Christ, died for her. The following week she visited me in my office. I prayed with her and encouraged her not to take her life, but to make a new start and to care for her teenage daughter. Indeed, ministry is allowing God to heal the shattered lives of people. Ministry is having the privilege of helping people turn to God and His love. Whenever God is able to use me to help someone, I feel encouraged as a pastor, and I say to myself, "It was worth it after all." |
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CHRONICLES OF THE CALL A Calling To The Truth An Unexpected Call From God Flip A Coin From Sales To Souls God's Constant Call To Become A Priest Going With The Current Of God's Call Serve Your Church The Inspiration Of My Teachers RESOURCES FOR VOCATIONS AND CHURCH MINISTRY An Interview with the Director of Youth & Vocations Are You Listening? His Invitation is Still: 'Follow Me' The Armenian Sacrament of Ordination to the Holy Priesthood The Armenian Service of Calling to the Holy Priesthood The Call To Choose or to be Chosen POINTS OF LIGHT All that the Father Gives Me Will Come to Me (John 6:37) Go In Peace, Darling A Match to Light Our Worship A Prayer in the Car A True Christmas Story An Open Door to the Kingdom Baptism in a Shack Blessing of a Factory Confirmed in the Spirit He Gave His Life for Us It Is Worth All The Trouble Prayerful Care of Souls The Blind Man Warming Up Without Heat FAQs Prerequisites for Seminary Study Do I Have What It Takes? Seminary Studies: Courses, Teachers, Grades, Requirements Seminary Life Marriage and Celibacy |
