What a great topic, something I have been struggling with for a while. We changed parishes about 18 months ago, for a variety of reasons, but mainly for the flagrant and growing number of abuses. Instead of church being less than 5 minutes away, we drive 15 instead. The new parish is served by the Redemptorists. We have found it to be much more traditional. After about 6 months, we were approached to become EMHC’s. I was somewhat reluctant, but agreed.
Ever since, I had been struggling with resigning. I just don’t feel that this is a ministry that the lay faithful should be serving, yet each time I make up my mind, God sends a situation that stops me and I continue. Recently, we were asked to take over the training and coordination of the EMHC’s. Why did I say yes? Why do I continue to serve? Because I have seen too much irreverance and abuse. I pray on this constantly, but I think that perhaps the reason God has asked me to serve in this capacity is so that through His grace and guidance I can lovingly educate the other EMCH’s to show the respect that this ministry requires. If the day comes when I feel that God is calling me out of the ministry, then I would gladly resign. If our pastor decided to eliminate EMCH’s I would not be offended, I would again, gladly resign. I do this ministry because I truly believe God has asked me to, I am totally unworthy, but I cannot refuse.