By Dr. Mike Graves, Guest Preacher

When back in 1999 I felt led to have my ordination recognized by the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), I never could have imagined the role our church would play. The Committee on Ordination and Standing that I met with was incredibly supportive, comprised of several clergy persons, and one lay person, a woman from our congregation whose name, sad to say, I no longer recall. Shortly thereafter, I was invited to preach for the monthly gathering of Disciples clergy in the area, a service hosted in our own Combs Chapel. Several years later I would join Country Club Christian Church, although I warned Glen and Carla that I would quickly achieve status as “the least-involved member” since I would either be preaching elsewhere most Sundays or coaching various pastors on their preaching.

Fast-forward to September 2016, when after a terribly frustrating faculty meeting, I emailed Glen. I was sort of joking, sort of not. I wrote, “I don’t know if you’ve ever pondered calling a person to serve as scholar-in-residence, but if so, I’m applying now.” I probably printed “Ha” after that. Glen surprised me by saying it had been a dream of his, that we should have lunch and talk it over. We did just that, and I think both of us were excited about the possibility. A few months later, Glen announced he was being called to another congregation. I wished him well, but realized the dream of joining the staff at Country Club was no more.

Only that dream wasn’t over. Carla and I met to talk about my serving as guest preacher until a new senior minister was called, which turned out to be her. After that, she visited with me about the scholar-in-residence position. During the entire discernment process, I would be lying if I didn’t admit to some measure of anxiety mixed with elation. Changing denominations is a big thing for a clergy person; now I was discerning my vocational identity. Pretty much my entire ministry has been as seminary professor and what was I thinking? Then I remembered something my mentor Fred Craddock said years ago, how the seminary is the education wing of the church. He was right, of course.

Words fail me in describing how excited I am to combine my two callings, teaching part-time at the seminary and serving part-time with the amazing staff at Country Club Christian Church. Ok, words never fail preachers, right? As Carla shared last Sunday about her being called as the new senior minister, I too am honored and humbled. What a great gift the Christian Church has been to me, and especially Country Club Christian Church. Thanks be to God.

(See related article about Mike joining the staff as Scholar in  Residence.)