January brings many new things and for the Deacon community of New Orleans it is another semester of formation activities. As we gather together on this cold Saturday in January, it's just one class of candidates; our 2012 group. The 2010 men are now brother Deacons. For the 2012 class today marks a turning of a corner if you will. First, it's more than 50% in and secondly, the men begin Clinical Pastoral Training(CPT).
CPT is a 6 month period of training and actual hands-on experience in ministry. The candidates are assigned ministries in local hospitals, prisons, hospice care, mental health units and homeless facilities. The candidates are called to visit these ministries weekly, be present to those who they meet at each facility and listen and learn. For many, it will be the first time they have set foot in such environments. Going to a prison or visiting a hospice patient or meeting a homeless person face to face is both a challenging and life changing moment in time.
The candidates are strictly charged with being present, trusting that being available to these children of God is gift itself. They are not to fix anything or interfere with anything; just be present and listen. After the weekly visit, they meet in class and share their experiences, being always mindful of the confidentiality of those they minister to.
Many times this experience leads to a ministry post ordination. For me that has been the case. I did my CPT at the Rayburn Prison and was thrilled to go back to Rayburn as their Deacon. I'm equally glad that the diaconate has entrusted one of the candidates to us at Rayburn and I'm happy to say he has made his first visit.
Through CPT, our candidates realize that there truly is a community of hurting and broken people; our brothers and sisters. May God send more laborers into the vineyard to minister to all of them!
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