St. Nersess Armenian Seminary
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  • St. Nersess Theological Review
  • SNTR Volume 7

Points of Light - It Is Worth All The Trouble

Rev. Fr. Yeghia Hairabedian
Pastor
St. James Armenian Church
Sacramento. California

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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."


CLICK HERE

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

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Preparing leaders for service in the
Armenian Church since 1961
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Directions to the Seminary

St. Nersess Armenian Seminary
​486 Bedford Road
Armonk, NY 10504

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Phone: (914) 273-0200
Email: info@stnersess.edu

Office Hours:
Monday - Friday, 9:30am-5:30pm


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