Lecturer Catherine Spiller has invited a variety of guests with different perspectives to join online classrooms for the unit Creating Faith Pathways this semester. One of the recent guests was Natalie Kistan who shared from her years of practical experience as a ministry employee. Natalie shared a couple of thoughts about participating in this unit.
“My very first reaction was, ‘Really.... you want me to speak with the students?’ But very quickly, that reaction turned into feeling genuinely honoured to have been asked. It was a great opportunity to share some of my experiences with them. I think it helps connect what they’re learning in the classroom with the realities of ministry in everyday life. It gives them an opportunity to hear honest, real-life experiences - the good and the challenging. I also think it’s important for students to hear different perspectives and stories. There isn’t just one pathway into ministry, or one way of doing ministry. Some are called to be Officers or youth pastors, community workers, or ministry leaders. Hearing from people serving in different ways can help students think about where God might be calling them or even challenge them to think differently about what they’re currently doing. It could also give them new ideas about how they can create faith pathways within the particular ministry setting they’re serving in.”