Dr. Katharine Hinman , Pastoral Scholar, Oak Grove United Methodist Church, Decatur, GA
“I am helping young people in my church explore their own sense of call.”

When you work counter to the cultural voice that defines success in terms of wealth and power, it’s easy to get burned out. That voice is overwhelming and almost exactly opposite to the message of scripture. One of the benefits of FTE’s Calling Congregations Conference is the ability to get together with other folks who are also working counter to the current definition of success and to share ideas. I look forward to translating and incorporating what I learned during the conference into my own church.

It was especially interesting and helpful to hear the variety of perspectives—especially those of FTE Fellows Walter Brueggemann and Judy Fentress-Williams—about hearing the call. It took me a while to realize that how I heard the call didn’t have to be how other people heard the call. God calls us in different ways.

As an undergraduate, I majored in biology. As I was writing my dissertation to receive my Ph.D. in ecology and evolution, I felt called to study theology. I wrote a list of pros and cons about whether or not to go to seminary. As soon as I decided I would, I told my pastor and a few other members of my church and they responded by saying, “Of course you’re going to seminary.”

I wondered why, if they I knew I was going to decide to do so, they’d make me go through a long decision-making process instead of just telling me. But that was God’s call to me. I take a huge amount of time to make decisions and short-circuiting that doesn’t work. It’s helpful to realize there are different ways people get a call, and that not everyone hears an angelic voice or has a blinding flash of insight.

My spirituality has always been closely linked to my environmental consciousness, and I was curious why more churches aren’t invested in the environment. While it’s a personal commitment for me, I wondered, “Could I could support that commitment theologically if I went to seminary? Could I actively make that connection and help other people make that connection?” When I was applying to seminary at Candler School of Theology, I applied for—and received—an FTE Ministry Fellowship. I used it to do a special study on religion, ecology and environmentalism, subjects that continue to be important to me.

Until recently, I was executive director at Georgia Interfaith Power & Light (GIPL), a nonprofit organization that works with faith communities on issues of energy conservation and creation care. As I actively pursue ordination in the United Methodist Church, I continue to work part time with GIPL. The current economy has made it difficult to find a full appointment in which to serve, and I’ve taken a position as Pastoral Scholar at my home church, Oak Grove United Methodist Church, in Decatur, Ga. As part of this position, I am helping young people in my church explore their own sense of call, even as I await appointment myself.