Beginning to learn to be a pastor
Shortly after his ordination, a home visit unexpectedly throws a new pastor in the deep end.
Forty-three years ago, I had just been ordained as an assistant pastor when Mr. Jenkins, a trustee of the congregation, asked me to visit him at his home. I assumed he wanted to get to know his congregation’s new youth pastor. I was 26 years old, and I’d graduated from seminary only a month earlier.
I arrived at the house to find that I was meeting with Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins, their 18-year-old son, Todd, his 17-year-old girlfriend, Jennifer, and her mother, Mrs. Enright. I walked into a living room filled with tension. Todd and Jennifer were holding hands and looking down at the floor. Mrs. Jenkins was wiping away tears.
As soon as I sat in my designated seat, Mr. Jenkins said, “Reverend, I’m sure you’re busy so I’ll get right to the point. Our son has got this young lady pregnant. We’ve all talked about this, and we’ve decided the kids should get married. They’re obviously very young, but we’ll all help raise this baby. The details have all been worked out. All we really need to know is if you’ll perform this wedding. I’m sure you will want to . . .”
