Explain How Has Your Practice Of Ministry Affected Your Understanding Of Suffering And Evil In The World

Theology Question #5: How has your practice of ministry affected your understanding of suffering and evil in the world? I grew up in a world of strange dualisms: of light and dark, of mean streets and soft sanctuary pews, of ruthless victimizers and selfless saints, of deep hunger pains and extravagant potluck spreads. A very good world (Gen 1:31), currently plagued with suffering and evil (Gen 6:5-6). I was born addicted and abandoned at birth. My biological father is unknown. My mother, a beautiful child of God afflicted with addiction, fell into a life of prostitution. At 10 years old, my grandfather/adopted father, died of cancer. My grandmother, who introduced me to church, died in my arms years later. In the midst of that darkness, the people of St. Mark’s loved me through. Even so, I squandered my life with alcoholic-dissolute-living (Lk 15:13). I know well the path of suffering and evil. I walked it. Ultimately, when I found myself on the floor of a local
While I still have occasional issues with my “renovated” digestive system, and the long-term picture is uncertain. God used those multiple hospitalizations, to bring healing in another way. In the hospital, surrounded by the love of God’s people, I seriously reevaluated my life, and realized that I was sacrificing my family on the altar of the church. While I know God did not cause my condition, God used it to heal and send help for my workaholic tendencies (Rom. 8:28). My family is now my greatest passion and the shift to a team-based ministry approach has had incredible results. In this world of darkness and light, God transformed my suffering to bring healing to others. I have seen the powerful way God’s grace works among those realities. We as the church proclaim that God’s unconquerable love (Rom 8:31-39) and Triune omnipotence will bring all things into renewal and perfection (Rev