We may not be able to fix everything; in fact, we may not have silver or gold, but we have the name of Jesus, and the hope that he gives us. Surely that is enough.

I first heard the call to pastoral ministry while assisting with communion. As I offered the good people of Trinity Lutheran Church in Dallas, Oregon, the blood of Christ, I heard God whisper to me, “You could do this forever.” I wasn’t sure what that meant. My pastor, in his wisdom, slow-rolled the conversation. Over the course of several months, we talked about the call I was feeling. At the same time, the congregation was piloting a Wednesday night contemporary service. I