The Cost of Calling
Pat returned, humbled. He accepted the church’s decision, bowed before his
bishop, and took his ordination vows with quiet determination. His path had
taken an unexpected turn, but he chose to walk it faithfully. When the time
came, he married—not Ann, but a woman chosen for him. A new life, a new
calling, a new beginning.
Ministry filled his days, but his thirst for knowledge remained. His
academic journey began in South India, where he pursued a Bachelor
of Science in Zoology, Botany, and Chemistry at a prestigious
institution. Though science fascinated him, it was his deepening conviction in
ministry that led him to theological studies. He completed his Master
of Divinity at a renowned seminary, immersing himself in scripture,
doctrine, and pastoral care. With a growing vision for leadership in the
church, he later pursued a Master of Public Administration in Public
and Non-Profit Management, equipping himself with skills in governance
and community service.
Years passed, and life carried him beyond the borders of his homeland. A
student visa opened doors for higher theological studies overseas, where he
earned a ThM in Church and Society, engaging in deep
conversations about faith’s role in an evolving world. With an increasing
passion for ethics and justice, he pursued a PhD in Christian Social
Ethics, solidifying his place as both a scholar and a church leader.
Alongside his academic growth, his ministry flourished. He moved through the
ranks, first as a rector, shepherding a congregation, then as
a bishop, guiding clergy and laity alike. In the council of
bishops, he found both mentors and friends—leaders who carried the weight of
the church with wisdom and grace. He shared the company of distinguished lady
bishops, their presence a testament to the evolving inclusivity of the
church. The corridors of power were filled with discussion, strategy, and the
ever-present question of how to guide a diverse, changing flock.
Yet, amid the respect and recognition, his personal life had its own
journey. His children grew up in a foreign land, excelling in their studies, navigating
both their father’s expectations and the culture they called home. They
attended some of the best schools, moving through academic milestones with
quiet resilience. But time, distance, and the unspoken burdens of ministry
often made fatherhood a complex path to walk.
Then, life shifted once again.
Decades of ministry, leadership, and academic achievement could not hold his
marriage together. The cracks that had formed slowly over the years grew into
chasms, and one day, his wife left. The bishop’s robe that had once adorned him
with honor now weighed him down. In the eyes of the church, and under the law
of the land, he had lost the right to continue as a bishop.
With his marriage dissolved, his status was gone. He could no longer remain
in the country he had served for so many years.
So he left.
But where does a man go when the very world he built is no longer his own?
· How should a Christian
leader navigate the tension between personal desires, spiritual authority, and
the unexpected changes in life’s path?
· What is the biblical
response to personal failure, broken relationships, and the loss of ministry or
status?
· Where does a believer
find true identity, hope, and restoration when everything they have built seems
to fall apart?
The journey is not over yet…
Before the Final Episode, Here is a Biblical Reflection
https://pvarticles.blogspot.com/2025/03/second-or-third-life-biblical.html
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