Pastor as witness: Ministry in the 21st century

What is pastoral ministry like these days, and how is it being shaped in new ways? The Century talked to pastors about the challenges and surprises of their early years in ministry. This interview is the third in a series. Kevin J. Long is a graduate of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. He serves as associate pastor at Orchard Park Presbyterian Church in suburban Indianapolis, where his responsibilities include preaching, adult discipleship and pastoral care.

What excites you most about ministry these days?
The eagerness with which so many people are listening to the gospel. Our world is full of so many voices offering happiness, success, significance, even salvation. But there is nothing quite like the gospel, and when it is faithfully proclaimed, by the power of the Holy Spirit people respond. I think people are becoming more aware of the vacuity of our cultural idols and are searching for an alternative. And though it doesn't happen every day, it is quite thrilling to see someone begin to grasp the good news of Jesus Christ.

Could you describe one such experience?
A woman at our church comes from a religious background that was pretty fundamentalist and judgmental—God was always angry at her. So guilt and fear have dogged her all her life. After hearing a few sermons on God's grace, love and forgiveness, she began stopping by my office to talk. It was clear that she was desperate to believe what she was hearing, but it was hard to reconcile it with what she had always thought. Over time, however, I began to see a change come over her, a light begin to shine in her. Sometimes I would even start saying something and she would finish my sentence with delight. She was beginning to understand the power, the depth and the freedom of the gospel.