When I became a member of the St. Luke's staff in the fall of 2003, the senior pastor asked me to take responsibility for meeting with those who were discerning their call to ordained ministry. At the time, there were five. Three had already applied to seminary and two were thinking about it but none had started the denominational process for candidacy. Then, as I was getting acquainted with people in the congregation, I met three additional members who were interested in exploring ministry, though ordination was not the only option they were considering. As the year drew to a close, I remembered that the expectation in the United Methodist Church was for a pastor to meet with an inquiring candidate for nine sessions. I did the math and immediately realized it would take 72 individual meetings to fulfill this expectation.

I decided to invite these persons to meet with me and explore the possibility of going through the inquiry process as a group. They not only expressed a willingness to try it but an enthusiasm that resulted in an energized commitment to schedule the meetings. So, after considerable calendar negotiations, we settled on a schedule of nine contact hours - three Saturday mornings every other week for three and one-half hours.

What began as a practical solution to accommodate eight candidates emerged as a better inquiry process than eight individual meetings might have been. Rather than dealing with information, reflection, questions and affirmations that come from one person, the members of the group realized that they had opportunities to share and receive feedback from each other as well as from a leader. As a result, the energy level was high and the motivation was strong as participants sought to discern God's call as fully as possible.

So valuable was this group approach that another ministry inquiry group began in the summer of 2004 (six meetings for one and one-half hours each). And we began another inquiry group every time another four to eight persons emerged with an interested in exploring ministry. So it has continued until the spring of this year - 2007 - when the sixth one will begin.

Most members who become a part of one of these groups hear about it by word of mouth. We also announce the opportunity in the bulletin every two or three months, affirming the ministry of all members and inviting those who want to explore ordained ministry to contact me. I set a meeting time to learn about each inquirer's interest in exploring God's call to ministry and, if it seems applicable, I mention the possibility of forming another ministry inquiry group and ask the person to think and pray about whether God is leading them to become part of such a group.

When there are at least four interested persons - though six is the optimum number - I invite them to an initial meeting. At that time they become acquainted with each other, learn about the process and choose six dates and times when they can all be present.

During the three years that these ministry inquiry groups have been developing, a related emphasis has emerged - the conviction that all members of the congregation are called to ministry. The congregation has exemplified this belief through the development of innovative ministries. One of these is called Together in Ministry Everyday (TIME). TIME not only asserts that every member is called to ministry, but it also expects every member to engage in some form of ministry.

As a new calendar quarter approaches, we announce a ministry theme (e.g., health, hunger and wholeness). Then, on a given Sunday, the narthex and adjacent hallways are filled with tables of literature and with individuals representing a variety of ministry opportunities in the community and beyond. Members of the congregation learn about these ministries and, if they are not already engaged in one that relates to the theme, they are invited to sign up and give at least "90 Minutes in 90 Days" to one of them.

As a result of this conviction that every member is called to ministry and is encouraged to participate in one or more specific forms of ministry, there are increasing numbers of members who are reflecting on what God is calling them to be and to do. What this means in regard to God's call to ordained ministry remains to be seen. Will the number of members going to seminary - fifteen currently - remain constant as some graduate and others enter? Will the numbers decrease as most of those who have been thinking about seminary have already been in a ministry inquiry group? Or will the number of those going to seminary increase as more and more members consider what their call to ministry means, both now and in years to come?

It is difficult to assess what the future will bring. Nevertheless, there are now dozens of people in the congregation who have been in a ministry inquiry group and who serve as resources to those who are thinking of becoming a part of the next group. At the same time, there are a number of leaders in the congregation, both laity and clergy, who not only know many of those persons but who also are in a position to encourage persons who seem to be moving in such a direction.

My colleagues and I firmly believe that God is calling and will continue to call. And we expect the future to emerge in a way that will bring more and more quality candidates - whether ordained or not - into ministry.

To God be the glory!