"THE Board", Where is "Beckville? and Graduation!

This past spring, it was time to go before the main Board of Ordained Ministry. This is the BIG board that has the decision-making power to allow me to proceed to Ordination...the first step being "Commissioning" as a Probationary Elder.

Again, there were questions to be answered along with, this time, a Bible Study to be written and a sermon to be preached and video-taped. These were then forwarded to a Triad (group of three persons -laity and clergy) to review.

I then met with them, was grilled, er...uh...questioned (smiling) and approved to go before the BOM. This committee is like 60 persons, again both clergy and laity. It is split into three groups: Theology, Church and Personal. You spend about 20-25 minutes with each group, again being questioned, questioned, and questioned. Each group has the authority to approve or disapprove one. If all three approve, you then go before the WHOLE board for the final "OK".

It was a harrowing experience. The groups could ask you almost anything. The questions could require specific answers, or could be situational, where they want to know what you would do in a situation. After each individual group, you are excused while they discuss you...much like the dBOM. Then you are brought back and and congratulated, if you are passed.

I had Church then Personal and finished with Theology. I think perhaps I really had the best order. Church was a little difficult, but it gave me a confidence boost when I 'passed.' I then went to Personal, where I didn't have any doubts about doing well; so then I went into Theology with two of the three completed and was much more relaxed.

I was passed on in all three groups and also before the whole board. To say that I was floating on the clouds would be an understatement. I was ecstatic.

Then came the APPOINTMENT PROCESS. SInce I had been passed on as a Probationary Elder, I was finally up for an appointment. I was hoping to stay in the Houston area due to my parents health situation, but I had been preparing them for the possibility of being appointed as far away as Texarkana.

I was having dinner in Dallas after class one night with my traveling buddy when my phone rang showing I had a message. I had been in class, so the phone was on vibrate and I hadn't realized it had rang earlier. I called and listened to my voice mail and it was my District Superintendent. "Kim, call me. We need to talk about being a little farther out from Houston."

My heart began to race. I felt like from his voice that being "farther out from Houston" was not a good thing! I called and he said that the Cabinet was wanting to appoint me to Beckville UMC. My first question in my head was "where on earth is BECKVILLE?" I had never even heard of it. I asked, very controlled.. "Where is that?" He proceded to tell me it was in the Longview District, just a little south of Longview. Since I agree to the itinerancy of the United Methodist Church, I said..."Well, Okay." He chatted for another couple of minutes, telling me that the DS from that District would be getting in touch with me shortly and that he felt this would be a good appointment for me." I hung up, swallowed deeply and then let the tears flow.

My friend kept asking "Where are you going, where are you going?" I finally said "BECKVILLE." Her first remark was "WHERE IS THAT?" I had to laugh at that point! I called another friend and had her look up some information on the church. I was oh so scared to call my parents and let them know...but felt that perhaps since it was close to Longview, where I have an aunt and some cousins...it might soften the news.

I called and was pleasantly surprised at their reaction. Yes, they were disappointed, but did surprisingly well! I then called my aunt in Longview and she was thrilled! So...WHERE IS BECKVILLE?

It is between Carthage and Longview on Hwy 149. It is about 8 miles northwest of Carthage and 25 miles south of Longview. It has a population of 752 and there are 12 churches in the area. I am serving as "Senior Pastor of the Largest Methodist Church in Beckville!"

Graduation was spectacular. It was held at the Methodist church that is on campus of SMU. I wasn't sure if dad was going to be able to make it as he had back surgery about 1 month before graduation. But his doctor told him if he didn't drive, push, pull, or lift...he could go. I made sure he didn't! I drove, pushed mom's wheelchair, lifted the luggage and got them around. I was so thrilled that they were there. They were so important in my getting through seminary, supporting me (not financially...I did it on my own!), but they were the emotional support so many times. It was a wonderful and blessed weekend that I will never forget! Seeing that diploma with Cum Laude (could it have been any smaller?) was a dream fulfilled. Being with friends who had travlled the road (often literally!) with me made it even more special. It was truly one of the highlights of my life!