A Family Heritage of Ministry
Written: 9/1/2009
By Kim Meirow
Those who are called to enter God's service as an ordained minister are few and far between. So when Ryan Grace and Megan Croy were ordained at Annual Conference, there was great cause for celebration. Not only for their choice to become pastors, but also because they are the second generation in their families to do so. Megan is the daughter of Rev. William Croy, and Ryan is the son of Rev. Roger Grace. So what happens when a preacher's kid becomes a preacher?
Megan and Ryan, before you realized your calling, what was your background?
Megan: In an effort to avoid the professions of my parents, my original intent was to major in Microbiology at Ohio Wesleyan University, but I quickly switched to Psychology and Economics - Management with hopes of running a non-profit organization.
Ryan: I earned my Bachelor of Science in Communications with a major in video production and minors in History and English.
What led you both into ministry?
Ryan: Hands-on service projects such as God's N.E.T.
Megan: I was fortunate to obtain a position through the Salvation Army as a Program Manager for an After School Tutoring program. As I started working with the students, I felt that sense of peace and joy that told me that I was at "home."
Roger, Bill - how did your children tell you that they wanted to go into minitsry?
Bill: To be honest, I don't really remember. It was during seminary and while on the staff of a couple of churches that I sensed she began to think about herself being ordained and working in a church.
Ryan: I asked what vocations a person could pursue with a seminary degree, and you asked if I was considering becoming a pastor. Not as sneaky as I had hoped.
Roger: I was Ryan's DS at the time. When a feeling came that he might be experiencing a call, I treated it as I would others who contacted me about calling. I had him read The Christian As Minister and discuss it with a pastor in the area. Then, when he felt he was going to pursue the process, I had him work with a Guide who was also a PK. Only after he knew that he was definitely being called, did we tell his mom, my wife Sue. I didn't want him to feel any
pressure from anyone.
What was your reaction to their calling?
Bill: All we ever told both of our children is that they need to make sure that when they choose their lifework it's something they enjoy doing - that fulfills them.
Megan entering the ministry was never a goal or a thought of mine. I knew
pretty early that what excited her, motivated her, was helping others - serving. What career she chose to do that or where she chose to do that was up to her and God.
Roger: I was excited and pleased. I knew that he had been doing well in service work, helping run God's NET for the youth of Meigs County and coaching Upward
Basketball, but I was surprised when he started asking about candidacy.
Megan, Ryan - what was seminary like for you?
Megan: Seminary was an affirming and challenging time for me. I really didn't go thinking that I was on the path toward ordination. I went to gain the education I needed to be in whatever ministry God was calling me. The discernment process was gradual but opened the door for me to grow in ways that I didn't know I needed to grow.
Ryan: Seminary was challenging, stressful and fun.
Did your dad help you out?
Ryan: He didn't know enough to help me in my studies! (laughs)
Roger: He's right. He was a very good student and I tried to stay out of the way so he could do what he needed to do.
Bill: I don't recall ever helping her with her studies either in college or seminary. Now, when it came to field education and working in the local church we had numerous conversations about how she should go about handling different situations. She faced some things in the local church during those early days that I still haven't faced.
How do you feel about following in your father's footsteps?
Ryan: I don't really think of myself as following in my father's footsteps. We have a lot of similarities, but also many differences. My calling as a pastor is distinct from his.
Megan: My father is a Methodist minister and my mother, Catholic by faith, is a teacher. Both were deeply committed to raising us in the Christian faith. I realized that my passions were the intersections of my parents' professions and the way they've lived their lives. Ministry is a lifetime calling that both of my parents embraced in different ways. Once I understood that, I was led to follow God's call for me - which has been quite the journey.
What was it like to see your children ordained?
Bill: Now, that was a thrill! The ordination - seeing family and friends - the preparation - all of it was a very special time. Standing behind her was wonderful, but I was especially taken by the photos I saw later that captured her face at the time of ordination - the glow, the happiness, the relief!
Roger: It was a proud, humbling moment. I was able to be on stage with him as an Elder to assist in laying on of hands. I hoped that he would ask me, but I also know that he knows many Elders in the Conference and others would have liked to participate as well.
How did their mothers feel?
Roger: Sue is very proud and supportive of Ryan, and both of his brothers as well. It is hard to believe that her youngest is now an Ordained Elder in the Conference.
Bill: Dorothy thinks it is great that Megan has been able to find fulfillment helping others. She's glad that being raised as a PK did not negatively influence her call to ministry.
What advice would you offer your children now that they are ordained pastors?
Roger: Ryan is a gifted pastor in his own right. He has been able to accomplish a great deal in a short period of time. I encourage him to be sure that he is doing what God would have him do, that he operates by the Book of Discipline, and that he take time for himself and his family.
Bill: Oh, enjoy the people - love them, care for them, enable them to be all they can be. Help them identify their gifts and hear the call of God in their lives. Remember that ministry is a way of life as well as a career. Care for yourself in the midst of caring for others. We wish Megan and Ryan God's blessings in their respective ministries and we congratulate Bill, Dorothy, Sue and Roger as their
children become instruments of God's love in the world. What a tremendous legacy!