They called her name. A...
Illustration
They called her name. A woman led Shelley into a small conference room and asked her to sit down at the head of the table. "So you want to go to seminary? Please tell the committee what particular gifts you have for the ministry." Shelley took a deep breath. Several years ago she was a successful businesswoman, ready to expand her company. She was married to a lawyer and they wanted to start their family soon. But there was something that had nagged her for many years: Shelley felt called to be a pastor. Shelley considered the facts: long hours of study, a long-
distance move, the closure of her business, a new job for her husband, debt, and the stress of being a student again. The thought was absurd. Shelley had buried it deep within her -- again and again. But the more involved Shelley was in her church, the more people made comments that she would make a great pastor. She went to a women's conference and was given a ticket to tour the seminary nearby. The president of the seminary was seated beside her, and they began to chat. He encouraged her, saying he could clearly see signs for the ministry in her. Shelley was amused. She was absorbed in the tour and missed the bus. The director of admissions offered to give Shelley a ride back to the convention center. He asked her when he could expect her application and she laughed, assuring him this was all a mistake. When she returned home, Shelley was in turmoil. Her life seemed to be "successful" and "together," but inside she knew she would have no peace until she explored this option further. She turned to the committee and began to speak.
-- Berg
distance move, the closure of her business, a new job for her husband, debt, and the stress of being a student again. The thought was absurd. Shelley had buried it deep within her -- again and again. But the more involved Shelley was in her church, the more people made comments that she would make a great pastor. She went to a women's conference and was given a ticket to tour the seminary nearby. The president of the seminary was seated beside her, and they began to chat. He encouraged her, saying he could clearly see signs for the ministry in her. Shelley was amused. She was absorbed in the tour and missed the bus. The director of admissions offered to give Shelley a ride back to the convention center. He asked her when he could expect her application and she laughed, assuring him this was all a mistake. When she returned home, Shelley was in turmoil. Her life seemed to be "successful" and "together," but inside she knew she would have no peace until she explored this option further. She turned to the committee and began to speak.
-- Berg
