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September 2006 |
Part of a series on women in ministry
God called me to be a teacher as a deacon of the church
By Mary E. McGawn
A teacher … that is not only what I always wanted to be, but from a very young age I had no doubt whatsoever that that was what I was meant to be. I just had to wait to be old enough to first go through junior high, high school and college.
"I find my role as a deacon to be a near-perfect fit with no surprise."
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Back in 1987, after ten years of enjoyable and successful teaching, I experienced the strangest "tugging" - nothing visible, nothing outward, but the oddest sensation. It was as if God wanted me to take a more active role in the leadership of my local church.
I could not shake those thoughts, try as I might. After counsel with my pastor and several months of introspection, prayer and trembling, my call to ministry could not be denied. The most amazing information came to light, though. My pastor had read something about the diaconate - a ministry connecting the church and the world.
Even after a lifetime in The United Methodist Church, I had never heard of diaconal ministers. But what an amazing fit, combining the gift of teaching with the call to representative ministry. God's timing and sense of humor is nothing short of awe-inspiring!
As with all United Methodist ministry candidates, I completed seminary coursework, interviews, and essays and was consecrated a diaconal minister in 1990. My position as a public school teacher was approved as my ministry, and the school administrators were very supportive once I explained that I would not be preaching in the classroom.
And then in 1996, after years studying the forms of United Methodist ministry, our General Conference voted to ordain "permanent" deacons, those professional ministers called by God to service in the world. I was among those ordained in the first class of deacons in 1997.
Within the local church, I find myself taking on many varied tasks - designing/revamping our weekday preschool, working with many of the committees, leading in worship, serving as camping coordinator, developing a team to publish a new church directory, etc. I am provided the flexibility to experiment in many leadership positions.
I find my role as a deacon to be a near-perfect fit with no surprise, since it was God's idea to begin with. My passion for the church and its mission and ministries is carried out in many settings, the most important of which, for me, is Lakeland Middle School here in LaGrange.
God made me to be a teacher and to be a servant leader, and I am deeply grateful. With almost thirty years of teaching behind me, I continue to take great joy in making a difference for Christ in these young lives. Am I allowed to share the Gospel? A resounding "Yes!" Not by preaching, not by reading the Bible to my students, but certainly by my principles, my love for kids and my commitment to the church. Besides that, it is great fun to gauge the students' reactions when they remark, "You're a minister? Really? Wow!"
Mary E. McGawn teaches at Lakeland Middle School in LaGrange, Ind. Following 27 years of teaching students with learning disabilities, she began a new venture in August as the sixth grade social studies teacher.
Last updated on 25 Apr 2008