How I came to this place
This article first appeared in the Fall/Winter 2006 edition of In Touch Magazine. For reprint permission contact the Director of Public Relations at 1-800-251-6227.
by Jim Holm
This issue of In Touch focuses on several MB Biblical Seminary alumni who are following the unique paths on which God has led them. I hope it will inspire you to continue pursuing God’s call on your life, and perhaps to encourage someone in whom you see potential for growth.
I’m a member of that group called “seminary alumni,” and my own journey out of seminary and back in, and now to the presidency, has not been a straight line. Of all the things I thought that I would do in my life, I don’t remember ever thinking that being president of our Mennonite Brethren seminary would be one of them. Here is a little of my story.
After graduation from the Seminary in 1975, my wife Shirley and I moved into pastoral ministry in northern California. I loved the privilege of opening the scriptures and explaining the word to God’s people. The tasks of ministry became the joys of ministry and I thought at the time that we would stay with that congregation forever.
“Forever” turned out to be thirteen years. For the next ten years, I served as pastor of a congregation of over 1,000 people. It was a powerful experience, learning to work with multiple staff, and trying to impart vision to a congregation that had been in existence for more than eighty years.
After twenty-three years of pastoral ministry, I was ready to take a break. At the invitation of Seminary President Henry Schmidt, I became a seminary administrator and professor, teaching students how to preach and give leadership in the church.
In 1999 I enrolled at Fuller Seminary. That doctoral program was a life-changing experience. I began to understand “spiritual formation” and to practice several spiritual disciplines. I began to understand more fully what Jesus meant when he said, “My yoke is easy and my burden is light,” and what Paul intended when he told Timothy, “Train yourself for godliness.” It became my passion to live my life the way Jesus would if he were me. My resolve was to never be in a hurry again but to take time to listen to Jesus and to follow his way, not to be so consumed by my own agenda that I had no time for intimacy with God.
After six years at the Seminary, I realized that in my heart, I wanted more than anything to be a pastor of a local church. It was then that my life took the strangest twist yet.
A large church in our city asked me to candidate for their vacant pastoral position. As I read the description of their church, and the outline of the kind of person they wanted in a pastor, I realized that this was exactly what I wanted to do and believed God was calling me to it. I eagerly contacted them and interviewed with their search committee. After several months of waiting, I was informed that they had chosen someone else. I was shaken, because I had been sure it was God’s will.
While all of this was in process, Henry Schmidt submitted his resignation and the Seminary began the search for a new president. While I was among those contacted about the role, I had no interest in being president. I believed that pastoral ministry was God’s call on my life.
The story gets complicated from here, and is best told in person. But through the encouragement of a colleague, I reconsidered. In Spring of 2003, the Board of Directors asked me to take a one year interim role, and in the fall of 2003 they turned it into a permanent assignment.
And here I am, in a role that I never expected, but one which I thoroughly enjoy. It is my high honor to help give leadership to the inspiring and equipping of men and women to live as disciples of Jesus Christ and to serve and lead in the church and in the world. I believe it is the leading of God, and that I am serving where He wants me to serve. I look forward to very good years ahead.