As you know, our dear friend and colleague Mike Horst has had an exciting and wonderful year! First, in February, he married the love of his life, Keri. Keri is an awesome woman, who is very gifted for Ministry in her own right. Mike and Keri make a very dynamic couple! Second, Mike graduated from Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary in 2014 with a two-year Masters of Arts in Christian Thought, (MACT) degree. Mike started his journey working toward a three year Masters in Divinity (MDiv), but due to financial constraints and seminary scheduling switched to the MACT. Mike is now in the process of taking his "Ordination Exams." Once he completes those exams, he will "be deemed ready to pursue a call to Full Time Ministry as a Minister of the Word and Sacrament."

It seems like yesterday that I met Mike... It was 2008 when I met Mike at a Great Banquet weekend. He was an English Teacher at Wolfson High School. I overheard that he was looking to pick up another job in a restaurant. From the moment I met him, I wondered if he had any interest in pursuing Ministry. But, before I talked to Mike about it, I went to his pastor, Kevin Pound, and talked to him about what he thought. As Mike's pastor, I wanted to know what he thought about Mike's suitability for Ministry. I also asked if I could have permission to have a conversation with Mike. Once I received Kevin's input and permission, I began one of several conversations with Mike. Those conversations led to an interview process. Mike was hired in June 2008 to serve as Summer Youth Ministry Director at FIPC. He did a wonderful job! In Fall of 2008, Mike's hours were reduced because he was still teaching full time at Wolfson High School. By January 2009, we knew Mike was the right person for the job, and were able to hire him full time as the Director of Youth Ministries and Worship. He did a great job!

In November 2012, after 4 years of full time Youth Ministry and Worship, Mike was contacted by his former boss at the High School and was asked if he would like to teach in Duval County's Virtual Schools. It was an opportunity he wanted to pursue. He did not leave FIPC, but no longer worked with Youth. Instead, his responsibilities changed and he served as Part Time Director of Worship and Adult Ministries. By June 2013, the position with Duval County Virtual Schools was eliminated by the County, and we were able to bring Mike back to the FIPChurch family full time as Director of Worship and Church Ministries. In March 2014, Mike's position changed back to Director of Youth and Worship Ministries. What a blessing Mike has been and IS to the FIPChurch family!!

Now, if it was just up to me... I would hire Mike full time as an Associate Pastor here at FIPC in a New York minute!! I think we all feel that way! But unfortunately, that cannot happen and let me tell you why... Pursuing ordained ministry in any denomination is a long and complicated process. In the PC(USA), our denomination, it takes over 3 years to complete the process. There are 2 stages within the process, each with their own time commitment, work and supervision: 1st Stage - Inquirer for Ministry, 2nd Stage - Candidate for Ministry. In addition, the PC(USA) requires that all its Pastors have a Masters in Divinity (MDiv) which is a three year degree program. Mike has completed a 2 year degree (MACT). The process culminates with the successful completion of 5 Ordination Exams; being called by a particular church; and being approved by a Presbytery.

Though we as a church are free to hire anyone we choose to work in the church, we are not allowed to hire someone for an "Ordained Ministry Position" who has not gone through the PC(USA) process and approved by a PC(USA) Presbytery. Because of this requirement, and the additional educational requirement, we are unable to hire Mike as an "Ordained Associate Pastor, Co-Pastor or Pastor." However, Mike is able to work in a "non-ordained position" as long as he likes. You see, about one half way through seminary, Mike chose NOT to pursue Ordained Ministry in the PC(USA). Instead, Mike chose to pursue Ordination in the newly formed Denomination called ECO: A Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians. ECO's requirements and processes for their pastors are different than the PC(USA)'s requirements and processes. Mike will now have to pursue an "Ordained position" in a church and Presbytery that is under the authority of ECO.

Maybe an illustration will help? When a person becomes a follower of Jesus Christ, they are no longer "their own." They have been bought and paid for by the broken body and shed blood of Jesus. They are now His to obey; they are to submit to His will, follow His leading, yield to His Word. When a person becomes an Ordained Pastor, they are no longer "their own" at an additional level. Not only are they to submit themselves fully to Jesus - but they also fall under the authority of the larger Church, i.e. the Presbytery. They are required to submit to their rules, regulations, and processes. Responding to God's Call to Ordained Ministry is NOT like accepting a new job. A new "job" is something a person chooses. "Ministry" is something that is chosen for you by God. So, Mike has chosen to put himself under the authority of ECO. He must submit to ECO's rules, regulations, and processes.

When a particular church is ready to call a Candidate to Ordained Ministry, there are many people involved in the call process:

1. The particular church who is calling the Candidate,
2. The Presbytery that oversees that particular church,
3. The Presbytery who is overseeing the Candidate,
4. The Candidate who is seeking a call, and
5. The spouse (and family) of the Candidate.

All 5 of these have to be in alignment for "the Call" to work and be successful. That is why this "call process" can take time.

So... we, as a church family, are committed to see Mike and Keri through this process to the very end! It could take a few months OR over a year. The FIPChurch family has been blessed by Mike's ministry, and we have been a blessing to him as well. We have given Mike every opportunity we could, to experience ministry in the church in its fullness - teaching, working with others, leading worship, leading ministries, sharing his faith, organizing ministries, serving on ministry teams and committees, creating budgets and policies, and regular preaching. Mike took to all we threw at him like a duck to water! Mike will make an excellent ordained pastor.

What can YOU do during this time? Four suggestions: 1. Enjoy the time we have left with Mike and Keri. 2. Pray for Mike and Keri, as Mike takes his Ordination Exams. 3. Pray for the Holy Spirit to guide Mike and Keri as they pursue a "call" to an ECO Church. 4. Be a blessing to Mike and Keri while you still can.

Living "in between" can be scary and frustrating. One wise person said, "Life is what happens when you are waiting on your plans to become reality." God is in control of it all--let us all enjoy the ride!

Remember, even when things change, God is good all the time!  All the time God is good!

ROCK stands for "Reaching Out for Christ's Kingdom" and is a youth group for 5th and 6th graders.  

• 6 cartons of 30 oz Goldfish crackers
• 12 cartons of 14 oz Graham crackers
• 6 containers of 24 oz Animal crackers
• 20 boxes of Roaring Waters Capri Sun drinks
• 8 cases of bottled water
• used soccer balls
• used basketballs

If you are interested in donating any of these items, please drop them off in the Gathering Area before worship.