A summer intern’s reflection on being called to ministry

By Jackson LaRue, summer intern at St. John’s, Fort Smith (2024)

As a seminarian enrolled at Nashotah House (Wisconsin, USA), the word “vocation” is one I encounter frequently. In my everyday world, this term means “the calling to be a priest,” My journey at seminary started out a little differently than most. I arrived without first entering a discernment or ordination process, Unlike those who were “sent” to seminary by a diocese, already clear on what God was calling them to be, what led me to seminary was not a clear vision of my own calling, but rather the encouragement and observations of others who saw potential for priestly ministry in me. This, so far, has made it a challenge for me to be clear about my own sense of whether I’m called by God to the work of ordained ministry. With these uncertainties in mind, I embarked on a ministry internship with the Diocese of The Arctic this summer. One of the objectives of this experience was to confirm and clarify if I am, indeed, called to ministry as a priest. I viewed it as a testing ground, an opportunity to validate the vocation that others had perceived in me. However, the experience proved to be far more illuminating than I had anticipated.

Throughout the summer, I found myself able to serve at the altar, lead liturgies, teach Bible studies, and preach sermons in a manner that continued to affirm others’ belief in my fit for ordained ministry. Yet, as the weeks progressed, I discovered that the areas where I needed to grow were not those I had initially expected. Contrary to my expectations, I didn’t find myself consistently challenged by the tasks typically associated with priestly ministry – preparing and delivering sermons, officiating liturgies, or engaging in pastoral conversations. I certainly don’t claim to be a master in any of those areas, however, I found that the real challenges emerged in how I managed my existing obligations and vocation while engaging in ministry work. This realization brought into sharp focus that my current vocation – being a Christian layman and a husband – requires just as much attention and growth, if not more! I was neglecting daily personal prayer and devotional readings of the scriptures. I was continually leaving my wife feeling unsupported and stressed out. The ministerial position highlighted areas where I needed to develop not just as a potential priest, but as a person committed to living out my faith in my existing obligations.

I came to understand that if I become a priest, that calling is not about developing a special skill set or becoming an effective leader. Rather, it’s about the complete offering of self, a calling that demands growth from the bottom up. To be a faithful pastor and priest, one must first be faithful in everyday life. The role of a priest is not separate from these fundamental relationships and responsibilities – husband, brother, son – but s built directly upon them. My summer internship taught me that clarity about our calling doesn’t always come in the form we expect. While it confirmed my ability to perform ministry duties, it more importantly highlighted my need for growth in basic Christian virtues and in fulfilling my basic obligations as a Christian. As I continue my journey towards potential ordination, I carry with me the knowledge that my vocation, whatever form it ultimately takes, must be grounded in faithfulness to my current calling as a Christian, a husband, and a member of my family and community. My experience has taught me that the path to ordained ministry is not just about acquiring new skills, but about becoming the person God is calling me to be in every aspect of my life.

The Diocese of The Arctic invests a small portion of our annual donations and operating budget in recruiting interns from around the world for summer placements. This is part of how we share the good news of what God is doing in the North, and how help to keep Northern mission and ministry in the minds of those in theological colleges. We have 5 interns for Summer 2025!