Beyond the Pulpit
The Many Hats I Wear in Ministry and Life
Many people know me as a pastor, wife, mother, and servant; however, I wear a few other hats and wanted to share a glimpse of those with you in this post.
🎙️ Podcast Guest
Last month, I had the honor of being a guest on Ginny Detweiler’s Pause Renew Next (PRN) Podcast. Ginny is a licensed counselor who lives in North Carolina with her spouse and four children, two of whom are neurodivergent. We’ve followed each other’s journeys on Instagram, and she reached out after reading a post about our church’s Treasured Clay Worship Series, inspired by the Apostle Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 4:7:
"But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us."
The series invited our congregation to celebrate all abilities, recognizing the divine treasure of Christ within each of us. It became a meaningful way for us to affirm the value and ability of every person, especially those who live with disabilities.
We’re often drawn to Paul’s empowering phrases in Scripture, like “run in such a way to win the prize” or “put on the armor of God.” Yet in 1 Corinthians 4:7, Paul offers a humbler image: fragile clay jars. He uses this metaphor to describe not only himself as an apostle but also all Christians.
As the late Eugene Tesselle, a community activist and professor at Vanderbilt Divinity School, once wrote:
“It is Paul’s weakness that validates his authority. It is in such fragile clay that the treasure is carried. The suffering, rejection, and struggle—all that seem to diminish him as a human leader—serve to reveal the 'extraordinary power' of God. Paul’s authority is not a personal lordship but that of a slave for Jesus’s sake.”
In the podcast, I shared how our congregation is learning to better understand and embrace disabilities, from updating signage on our campus to changing the language we use in worship. Admittedly, this was only my second podcast appearance, so I was a bit rushed in my first few responses. But after a several minutes, I settled in and leaned into a thoughtful and heartfelt conversation with Ginny.
Take a listen to the final episode of PRN’s Season 7, and be sure to explore other episodes as well.
💍 Wedding Officiant
Another hat I love to wear is coming alongside couples as they prepare for marriage and officiating their wedding ceremonies. Over the years, I’ve had the joy of marrying nearly 50 couples; each with their own unique love story. I enjoy weaving their stories into the ceremony, whether through custom prayers or a personalized meditation crafted just for their special day.
Last fall, I had the honor of officiating the wedding of a former youth group member. Walking with Rachel and Aiden through their engagement was a gift, from coffee shop counseling sessions to witnessing their exchange of vows. One of my favorite moments came during our second premarital counseling session, when they spoke about their homework assignment: sharing a new experience together.
They chose to volunteer at the Samaritan House in Charlotte, N.C., a nonprofit that provides short-term housing for individuals recovering from hospital stays who have no permanent residence. Rachel and Aiden signed up to bring dinner one evening. They prepared lasagna, arranged the meal buffet-style, and then, after serving the guests, filled their own plates and sat down to eat with them.
It was around that table, over shared food and stories, that their hearts were widened. As a future doctor and lawyer, the conversations gave them a deeper understanding that will no doubt shape how they care for clients in their future careers.
If you’d like to meet a few of the couples I’ve married, feel free to visit my website. And if you, or someone you know, needs an officiant, I’d be honored to be part of their marriage journey.
🧢 Sabbatical Coach
One final hat I’ve grown into, without even realizing it, is that of a Sabbatical Coach.
Over the past 17 years of ordained ministry, I’ve had the joy of taking two sabbaticals: one as an associate pastor and the other as a senior pastor. In both churches, the idea of a sabbatical had been introduced by previous pastors but was never practiced. After six years of service in each setting, I became the first to not only talk about sabbaticals, but to actually take one.
Last year, I hosted a live conversation on sabbaticals via Facebook and Instagram, and since then, I’ve had meaningful conversations with pastors preparing for their time away. Sabbaticals are rare in most professions, which makes them all the more valuable. They provide spiritual renewal for the pastor, as well as for their families, congregations, and the communities in which they serve.
On my website, you’ll find insights on why many pastors don’t take sabbaticals and seven best practices for planning one. If you’re considering your first (or next!) sabbatical, I’d love to walk alongside you in the planning process and cheer you on every step of the way.
Finally, I will make a shameless plug for supporting our Blooms for Baja Spring Flower Fundraiser that is underway this week. If you would like to support the upcoming Baja Mission Trip, consider purchasing a 10" hanging flower basket. These spring baskets feature a beautiful mix of petunias, begonias, and geraniums.
Each 10" basket is $25 and can be delivered in the local area before Mother’s Day!
Please see below for payment options such as Venmo. Send your order, payment information, and any questions to me at aprilhcranford@gmail.com.
Thank you for supporting our Baja Mission Trip, where our team of 27 will build 2 houses in just 1 week!
Serve and Love Well,
Rev. April H. Cranford
I loved this article. Thanks for sharing your work, your calling and your life.
I love the idea of giving wedding couples a homework assignment, during the counseling time. That's a fun idea!