Hello From Pastor John AhnI want to share six formative stages in the pastorate.
From 1990 to 1994, under my first mentor pastor, I learned the “art of sermon preparation.”
From 1994 to 2001, I learned how to lead congregation meetings, especially if there were any moments of tension. The pastor would laugh and say, let’s pray about this until we reach unity.
Then, from 2001-2003/4, I learned to persevere through difficult times. It was my first call as a “Minister of the Word and Sacrament.” I learned to foster (biblical) suffering. Those were difficult years.
From 2003/4 to 2005, at the fourth largest Korean American Presbyterian church in New York, the art of “losing” was installed. That is, in ministry, losing is winning. Egos have no place; to let go was added through another mentor pastor.
In my fifth and most formative stage, from 2005 to 2014/5, the longest stretch, I learned to cultivate agape (love). As I was starting my newest ministry as a senior pastor, I met a retiring priest after 40 years – how ironic. He said: “Love your sheep.” That was my ethos and praxis.
And most recently, from 2015 to 2023, I have been practicing “self-emptying.”
These six current stages across three decades have been the building blocks of my autobiography as a pastor:
Now, would you pray and journey with me toward a greater and deeper actualization in servanthood.
From 1990 to 1994, under my first mentor pastor, I learned the “art of sermon preparation.”
From 1994 to 2001, I learned how to lead congregation meetings, especially if there were any moments of tension. The pastor would laugh and say, let’s pray about this until we reach unity.
Then, from 2001-2003/4, I learned to persevere through difficult times. It was my first call as a “Minister of the Word and Sacrament.” I learned to foster (biblical) suffering. Those were difficult years.
From 2003/4 to 2005, at the fourth largest Korean American Presbyterian church in New York, the art of “losing” was installed. That is, in ministry, losing is winning. Egos have no place; to let go was added through another mentor pastor.
In my fifth and most formative stage, from 2005 to 2014/5, the longest stretch, I learned to cultivate agape (love). As I was starting my newest ministry as a senior pastor, I met a retiring priest after 40 years – how ironic. He said: “Love your sheep.” That was my ethos and praxis.
And most recently, from 2015 to 2023, I have been practicing “self-emptying.”
These six current stages across three decades have been the building blocks of my autobiography as a pastor:
- Preparation is everything
- Laughter and prayer
- Enduring hardship
- Losing is winning
- Loving each person
- Self-emptying
Now, would you pray and journey with me toward a greater and deeper actualization in servanthood.