Points2Ponder: Second of Third Life

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