Ministers Must Live What They Pray, Practice What They Preach

News / Ordinations
The newly-ordained Priest (at back) and Deacons (centre) with Bishops of the Diocese
The newly-ordained Priest (at back) and Deacons (centre) with Bishops of the Diocese

“To claim the moral authority to lead the community in worship, ministers must live what they pray and practice what they preach. They must be living examples of what they call the community to be.”

This is one of the core principles of Ministry highlighted by the Lord Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Howard Gregory in his Sermon at the recent Ordination Service held at the Cathedral of St. Jago de la Vega, Spanish Town, on Sunday, June 26.

Addressing a capacity congregation, he further stated, “Regardless of the level of excellence with which one may be able to conduct the Liturgy, and however good a preacher one may be, who one is as a person and what one brings to the task cannot be left out of the equation.”

Bishop Gregory quoted from an article written by a Methodist Minister, the Rev. Kathleen Brown, who listed the essentials of Ministry as skill, example, faith and pastoral heart. He noted that despite their youth, the four Ordinands would, over time, have to grow and develop the necessary skills in order to nurture, inspire and lead members of all ages in the community of faith.

Noting that Ministers often become blind to the presence of God’s Holy Spirit in their lives, the Lord Bishop urged the newly-ordained Priest and three Deacons to maintain “a sustained devotional discipline which keeps you connected to the source of your power.”

Bishop Gregory said this was especially important in the context of the rapidly changing social and religious environment, as well as the demographic and other changes in the Anglican Church which, inevitably, would require that ministry be delivered in a different way.

Please click here for the full text of Bishop Gregory’s Sermon.

The four Ordinands were:

  • The Rev. Olando Gayle, who was ordained to the Sacred Order of Priests and has been appointed Curate at St. Andrew Parish Church
  • The Rev. Dwane Blackwood, Deacon, appointed Assistant Curate in the Cathedral Cure
  • The Rev. Natalie Blake, Deacon, appointed Assistant Curate, Mandeville Parish Church Cure
  • The Rev. Marjorie Downer, Deacon, appointed Assistant Curate, Church of the Holy Spirit, Cumberland, Greater Portmore

The appointments took effect on July 1.

 

Rev. Olando Gayle, newly-ordained Priest, receives a Bible from the Lord Bishop.
Rev. Olando Gayle, newly-ordained Priest, receives a Bible from the Lord Bishop.
  

Rev. Marjorie Downer, newly-ordained Deacon, receives a copy of the New Testament from Bishop Gregory.
Rev. Marjorie Downer, newly-ordained Deacon, receives a copy of the New Testament from Bishop Gregory.
 

Bishop Gregory lays hands on the Rev. Natalie Blake during her Ordination.
Bishop Gregory lays hands on the Rev. Natalie Blake during her Ordination.
  

The Ordinands lie prostrate, signifying their submission to God.
The Ordinands lie prostrate, signifying their submission to God.