I am writing this blog on July 29, 2024 – which happens to be the 40th anniversary of my ordination as a “Minister of the Word.” That was the official title for PC(USA) ministers back in 1984, before we added the words “and Sacraments,” and before we flip flopped in recent years between “Minister of Word and Sacrament” and “teaching elder.” Such tweaks to these titles are minor in comparison to the changes I have seen over the past 40 years.
Some will remember the 1983 formation of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), now only 41 years old. I was a TSAD to the UPCUSA General Assembly that year (TSAD is shorthand for Theological Seminary Advisory Delegate). In those years at General Assembly meetings, the advisory delegates voted after the commissioners, so we really gave no advise at all; we only reacted. Thankfully that was changed in later years.
In my early years as a minister there was much ado about inclusive language. I can still remember one of my interview questions, from an older ruling elder: “Ken – what is all this fuss about inclusive language? I mean really, God is still a man!” I responded with the creation story about the image of God being both male and female, and Jesus’ word to the woman at the well (John 4:24). Whew! That PNC did call me to serve, so my answers must have been OK.
Ken Hockenberry with his ordination commission on July 29, 1984.
Those like me who have been around these 40 years have witnessed changes in who could not and who can serve as ministers, ruling elders, and deacons. Thankfully today in our church many more can serve openly, responding to God’s call in their life without hiding – which was not the case 40 years ago, or even 15 years ago. Much has changed, from my perspective, for the good.
Last Sunday I participated in the ordination service for one of our Chicago Presbytery candidates — Darin Nettleton, a young man, who is going to serve as a solo pastor in Detroit Presbytery in Michigan. I was excited for Darin who is just a bit older than I was in 1984, embarking on a new ministry. I wonder what changes he will see in the ensuing years. May they all be blessed.
III John 1:2,
Ken Hockenberry
