Blest Be the Tie that Binds

Jun 19, 2025 | by Dr. Darren M. McClellan

Dear Friends,

The office has been quiet this week. Almost too quiet. So a longer than usual post today.

Vacation Bible School is complete. It was great.
Annual Conference is complete. It was great.
And now, the tenure of Dr. Kristen Wright at Ashland Place is complete. But now, her office is empty. Not great, but necessary.

I know it won’t stay that way (thanks be to God!), but looking at the faces of my colleagues here at the church office, it feels today a bit like a hole in our souls. This temporary ‘funk’ has me remembering one of the great lyrics of our hymnal:

When we are called to part,
it gives us inward pain;
but we shall still be joined in heart,
and hope to meet again.

This is true enough, but in the meantime, what does one do with the unwelcome silence? How does one make the most out of our solitude? These are two of the big questions raised by our reading of Elijah’s story in
1 Kings 19:1-5 this Sunday. More on that later…

On Monday, June 9, I went to the stage of our Alabama-West Florida Annual Conference to present the report of the Board of Ordained Ministry. Somewhere in the midst of that report, which outlines the comings and goings of so many of the clergy in our connection, I was struck by just how blessed I have been by the impact and influence of those with whom I have had the privilege of serving in this itinerant system of the United Methodist Church.

And most notably, as I can say more recently–those preaching women!

At the beginning of the report, I asked all of the members of the Board of Ordained Ministry to please stand. There was my Associate, Dr. Kristen Wright, standing with confidence among them.

Shortly thereafter, we called upon those who had met the requirements to receive their license as a new local pastor in the Alabama-West Florida Conference. There was my future Associate, the Rev. Jennifer Porto, who arose from her chair with a presence that lit up the entire floor of the conference.

Once that credential was confirmed by Bishop Jonathan Holston, we turned in our report to the honoring of our retirees. Once again, there was my former Associate, the Rev. Laura Parker, who has done so much to shape the life and ministry of Fairhope United Methodist Church.

With the convergence of these important relationships intersecting my spirit all at once, I could feel this chorus of praise rise up like a lump in my throat:

Blest be the tie that binds
our hearts in Christian love;
the fellowship of kindred minds
is like to that above.

In our five years of service together in Fairhope, Rev. Laura would lovingly identify herself as my “bossy big sister.” Laura and my actual big sister, Ashley, have never met one another, but I believe that they would greatly enjoy comparing strategies and stories of how best to bend my will or get along with me in general. God knows how much I treasure them both.

In our one year of service together here at Ashland Place, Dr. Kristen and I quickly discovered that we have more in common than either of us would have originally imagined. As for our differences, I have come to appreciate the many ways that I hope to be more like her when (or if) I grow up.

As I look forward to the appointment of Rev. Jennifer to APUMC, I am excited by the prospect of learning from her as well. Some years ago, I served as a candidacy mentor for those who were just beginning to explore their call to ministry. Sure enough, Jennifer was in that group of candidates. Even though we were limited to Zoom sessions at that time, I remember very clearly making a note to self: that young woman is going to make a fantastic Associate for some fortunate clergy one day…not to mention the Church!

This glorious hope revives
our courage by the way;
while each in expectation lives
and waits to see the day.

I realize that there are many churches and denominational structures in the world that do not see a place of women in leadership, much less in the pulpit. Even more recently, some have sought to strengthen their stance on this matter. That is their prerogative, of course, but in light of my reading of the Bible and my experience of these leaders in my life, I cannot help but wonder if these other branches of the ecclessial tree truly understand what they are missing.

When I was in college, I was actually a part of a campus ministry that held those views. I remember scheduling an appointment with the Pastor to discuss it. We read the Bible together in his home for a couple of hours. I appreciated his hospitality. At the end of the conversation, however, he said “Darren, I can see that you and I have different interpretations here on this matter. I want you to know that I am okay with that, as long as you do not tell anyone else in the church about your views.”

Respectfully, I confessed that I would not be able to honor his request. I was sad to disconnect from my friends and community in that church, but it was not a difficult decision to make. On my way out the door, I said, Pastor, you are a good man, and I know how much you value your wife and appreciate her giftedness in being the primary homeschool teacher for your children.

Yes.

I also know that religious training is an important component of your family’s curriculum.

Yes.

Very well. So for my own understanding, can you tell me at what point she will lose her authority to speak to your sons about these things? According to your interpretation of the scriptures, at what age are your boys expected to stop listening to her? Is that what it means to be a man? My 20-year-old self needs to know.

The following Sunday, I attended worship at Trinity United Methodist Church in Gainesville, Fl. I was alone, but I guess you could say that I was particularly open to the witness of gifted women who were fulfilling their calling to serve in the life of the Church. So I wrote my name down in the attendance pad there in my pew. The next week, I was invited to attend a college Bible study that was happening that summer. I thanked the young lady for reaching out to me with the invitation to join.

Next week, that young lady and I will celebrate our 26th wedding anniversary, brought to us in part through the ministry of the United Methodist Church.

I love you, Kristi Kish McClellan.

And much love to you, Rev. Laura, Dr. Kristen, and Rev. Jennifer…and to all the others who either have or will echo those original voices of courageous proclamation at the empty tomb. You teach me so much about the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on all flesh…and the coming kingdom of God in Christ, in which there is no distinction between male or female…

As many of you as were baptized into Christ…(and) clothed yourselves with Christ... (Gal. 3:27)

Blest be the tie that binds.

Darren