Once a Servant, Always a Servant: Reflecting on my Ordination to the Priesthood

I spent most of my life in ministry contexts that didn’t have formal ordination processes. To be honest, I didn’t even know what “apostolic succession” meant until my wife, Caly, and I decided to move to Florida to partner with Grace Anglican Church in planting a new church. Since then, I have learned and grown a lot, and I have come to appreciate this more sacramental understanding of the “laying on of hands” for ordination. Now, in the early days of my ministry as a priest, I couldn’t be more excited!

As someone who didn’t grow up in a traditional denomination, I have to say that I am both thankful for and impressed by the quality and thoroughness of our diocesan ordination process. It is a process that sharpens one’s sense of calling, reveals areas of growth for greater levels of fruitfulness, and creates room for God to strengthen key ministry foundations. One of these foundations is something Bishop Alex mentioned in his sermon during my ordination to the diaconate: once a deacon, always a deacon! Or: once a servant, always a servant! This resonated deeply with me, and it has repeatedly come to mind ever since. Every time I put my sash on I thought of Jesus wrapping a towel around his waist to wash his disciples’ feet. As a servant of Christ at his table, this has been, and will always be, my role. I am the first to go on my knees to serve others. This is what ordination is all about.

When we moved to St. Augustine, we called our church The Table because we wanted to put the emphasis and focus of our Sunday worship on Christ and on his invitation to meet us at his table. Encountering the risen Christ through worship, Word, and Sacrament is our desire. Since, however, I started out as a lay planter, I missed not being able to fully lead Holy Communion. This has changed now, and for me, this is probably the most important and most exciting aspect of this “new” ministry as an ordained priest.

Let me close by saying how grateful I am for all the people who have invested in and mentored me on my journey. This includes my parents and the different ministries I have had the privilege of being part of throughout my life. But I want to particularly thank everyone at Grace Anglican Church (especially The Rev. Mike McDonald), at The Table Church, and in the wider Gulf Atlantic Diocese who have accompanied me on this journey towards ordination. I believe the Kingdom of God is in relationships, and God has certainly used these relationships to encourage and to guide me.