Spiritual gifts

It was a particularly stressful week — or, maybe I should say, a particularly stressful last few days — at work. But I knew I couldn’t stretch out and relax this weekend. I was signed up for a lay speaking class all day today (Saturday) as well as Sunday afternoon.

I am (and have been for many years) a certified lay speaker in the United Methodist Church, which means that while I am not an ordained minister, I am approved to preach — for example, if a pastor is sick, or on vacation, or there’s a vacancy that hasn’t been filled yet. I can’t perform marriages, or baptisms, or bless the elements for communion, but I can preach.

In order to remain certified, I have to take an advanced lay speaking course at least every three years. Also, even though I am “grandfathered in” under a previous set of rules, I am trying to make sure I have taken classes in each of the subject areas that are now required before someone becomes certified in the first place.

It’s been three years since my last class, so I needed to take one this year. And one of the classes being offered was on spiritual gifts, which was one of those subject areas I was trying to cross off.

I had signed up for the class weeks ago, but given my mood last night I have to admit I was sort of wishing for an open weekend instead.