Going Home?

Often I have struggled with the question of my future destination in ministry. Where will I go after I complete my seminary training? Many times, people have asked me that same question. Each time, I found myself wanting to answer, but instead, giving some cliche like "I want to be open to any possibility." In reality, there is within me a deep desire, a longing of sorts, to return to the place I affectionately call "home." Now don't misunderstand me, I realize that my true home is in Heaven with God, but most of you understand what I'm saying. I frequently find myself longing to minister to the people of my home state, Mississippi. However, upon allowing myself the thought of returning to be close to family and friends, guilt normally arises. I begin to think that I am simply being narrow-minded. I can hear a voice in my head saying, "What about God's will for your life?" A question that definitely deserves an answer. What about God? What does He want for me? I have committed myself to His will. So, does that mean my desire to return is wrong?

Today, I ran across an article that, at the very least, made me understand this desire. David Alan Black has written a short article entitled, "From Among You." In it, he explains that oftentimes congregations make the mistake of choosing men who lack a vested interest in the community. The same is true of many pastors who choose a place based on opportunity and not "fit," for lack of a better term. Dr. Black seems to be pointing to this phenomenon as a reason for the epidemic of short terms of Southern Baptist pastors (on average it is about one and a half years). If a man had ties to the community, then "greener pastures" would lose their luster. In fact, the pastor might look to see that the pastures are pretty darn green right where they are. So, my desire to return "home" might not be a terrible thing after all. In reality, it might be the best thing. It might even be that God wants be to go "home."