Letter From Bishop vonRosenberg

In early October, our diocesan Commission on Ministry had the annual BACAM Confe-rence ("Bishop's Advisory Committee on Aspirants for Ministry"). By the way, sometimes - and appropriately - we add the word "ordained" to the title because, in fact, all baptized people are "ministers" by virtue of baptism … but this event deals in particular with those who are in the process of discernment for ordained ministry.

At the beginning of these annual conferences, I have a sense of profound gratitude - for the aspirants, for their families, and for the Commission members who have such important work to do. Through the discernment process, all of us examine our own calls to ministry, and that exercise is a significant one for each of us. Therefore, the aspirants - those who aspire to ordained ministry - provide a great service to the diocese, not only in the offering of themselves, but also in challenging the rest of us to self examination.

As usual, this year's group of aspirants was impressive. They came to BACAM having already engaged themselves in the process of discernment with their clergy and local committees, as well as having met with me twice, a psychologist, and a medical doctor. Again, I am grateful for the people who risk the process of discernment in pursuit of the call they experience.

However, I want to write a bit about an aspect of the process that was missing at BACAM this year. The particular group the came before us was a good one. But, all of them were in their 40's or 50's in age. We do need experienced people to attend seminary. However, we need young ones, too.

The Episcopal Church is experiencing a clergy shortage. We also experience that shortage in East Tennessee, as several churches recently involved in search processes can attest. In addition, as we send older people to seminary, we guarantee that the shortage of clergy will continue, for our older seminarians will be retiring at the same time as some currently active priests.

The Church needs younger seminarians and younger clergy. I have spoken with our present clergy about this, and I have encouraged our youth workers and college chaplains to be aware of the need as well. However, it is the Church at large that helps its members consider calls to ordained ministry, and so, we need more than clergy and youth workers who are aware of our need. The people in our pews may be best suited of all to identify young people who might become good clergy and to encourage them in that direction.

I do not mean that we should look only for "good" youth who could make us all proud. What the Church really needs among ordained clergy is leaders - people who will be willing to stand apart when necessary, who are risk-takers, and who are sensitive to varieties of people and cultures in our world.

Therefore, please heed well this call, for the sake of the Diocese of East Tennessee, the Episcopal Church, and our Lord. Be especially aware of young people in your churches - those who are energetic and idealistic and bright-eyed. Encourage them to think about the ordained ministry as a vocation. Speak to your clergy about them. As a result those young people may experience what I recently told a college student: "I want you to remember what I've said when you wake up in the middle of the night sometime." Our biblical heritage reminds us that God has used some unusual and unlikely instruments from time to time. Perhaps, in a young person's discernment of a call, you might be one of those instruments of God.