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On accepting a call to pastor

OpinionMerianna Neely  |  August 30, 2013

I am literally speechless.

I have accepted the call to be the interim pastor at Emmanuel Baptist Fellowship in Lexington, S.C.

I am speechless because even on this blog, I have expressed my doubts about being able to find a job as a preacher in a Baptist church. Would I be considered too young? Would I be considered too controversial because I am a woman? Would there be a congregation who would be willing to take those risks?

Yes, there is.

There are moderate Baptists who see it as their mission and purpose to actively live out their beliefs. I am so glad I found some close to my new home in Columbia.

As I met and heard their story, I realized our stories were not that different. They, too, had found themselves wandering, looking for a place to create an open and welcome space for people in need. I can’t wait to journey with them as I finish seminary. I can’t wait to preach regularly and share table fellowship with this great group of individuals!

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OPINION: Views expressed in Baptist News Global columns and commentaries are solely those of the authors.
Tags:WomenBaptist HistoryWomen in MinistryBaptistYoung BaptistscallMinistryclergypastor
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