Once upon a time a student approached his teacher and announced that he was ready to assume the office of ministry.

"And what are your qualifications?" the teacher asked.

"I have mastered the art of physical discipline," the student replied. "I am able to sleep on the ground, to eat nothing but raw grains, and I can carry huge loads on my back." The teacher took the young man by the arm and led him toward a field. "Do you see the mule? He too sleeps on the ground, eats nothing but grains, and can bear large burdens on his back. Up to this point you may qualify to be an ass, but you are not yet ready for ministry."1

Today we celebrate the ministry which we all share as the people of God. Today we also set apart for particular ministries seven of our brothers and sisters through the histo…