From the Log Colleges of the Western frontier, to the nineteenth century academies of our own Shenandoah Valley, Presbyterian ministers have a long and storied history of providing not just spiritual guidance but practical knowledge as well.


Most of you probably have heard bits and pieces of the story of my Call to ministry, but one thing you may not know is that when I first considered what God might be calling me to do, I thought it would be teaching. I had graduated from college with an English Literature degree and only the vaguest notion of what I might do. After some fits and starts, I decided that my future lay in academia – this despite the fact that I had, heretofore showed little interest in academic excellence. of any kind! I actually went to seminary to discern what discipline in which to pursue a doctorate; I figured becoming a professor of New Testament, or church history, of Theology would be more important, more significant than teaching Moby Dick to college freshmen - not that there's anything wrong with teaching literature, or with college freshmen, for that matter. Of course, God had other plans, and I wouldn’t have changed them for the world; as one of my seminary professors once told me, writing a dissertation is like making a brick – no matter how creative and imaginative you are, they have to be just so high, and wide and long, and weigh just so much… right or wrong, that logic resonated with me, and I resolved to seek ordination, putting me on the path that would eventually lead me to Mossy Creek almost ten years ago. Even so, the opportunity to teach has become of the most rewarding aspects of ministry for me. Whether it be a confirmation class, officer training, book study or an in-depth exploration of a subject, teaching is one of my favorite pastoral activities. It’s certainly one of the things that has made this past year so interesting.


One morning after worship almost a year ago, I was pulled aside by someone whose opinion I value highly. I was worried - often, when someone pulls me aside, it is to share a difficult concern; but that morning, it was not a concern, but a suggestion. Have you ever thought about teaching? Local colleges often need instructors for classes on religion, and you do a good job, and enjoy it…


The suggestion came to me as a surprise, notwithstanding my original notions about God’s Call. After all, it had been more than twenty years, and I long since been confirmed in my Call to be a pastor. I took it as a compliment, and filed it away. But then, another precinct was heard from. Not more than a week later, an acquaintance of Ann’s (a fellow Presbyterian) who worked in the administration of National College sent her an e-mail. They were looking an instructor for a class on World Religion, and did she know someone who might be interested? It was one of those times when you look around and think, Wow! Is think there might be a message here for me… So Ann and I talked about it, I prayed about it, and I replied. The next thing I knew, I was chatting with the campus director, getting ready to teach an elective course on World Religions.


Now, I understand there has been some concern about the time and attention involved in such an outside endeavor: Mossy Creek is not a part time Call, and I am not a tent-maker pastor. I see what I’m doing at the college as something akin to a hobby – an interest outside my work that refreshes me, while stretching me intellectually. Each class meets for one four hour session each week, and each term is eleven weeks long. Since most instructors are working professionals in their field, the college is very understanding about the limits of my time commitment. This past year, I have taught as many as two sections of the same course, one afternoon and one evening; this term, I had one class, on Thursday evening, and will not be teaching during the summer session; I will never teach more than two sections in any term. In order to compensate, I adjust my schedule as needed, and the campus director is always willing to cover a class for me if there is ever a pastoral need. They do pay me a small amount for class time, which is helpful as we pay for college and Governor’s School, but what I really appreciate is the opportunity to both learn and share, for when you teach, you learn – every time.


My perspective on the religions of the world is now very different than it was at this time last year; I am able to articulate in a much deeper way the similarities between the world’s faiths, but more importantly, the crucial places where Christianity is truly unique. It has been exciting to honor God’s Call in a deeper way, and to represent Mossy Creek in the larger community.