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The Call
Slowly growing in me over a number of years was the unexpressed desire, even to myself, to become a minister. As a young
person growing up Southern Baptist, I realized early on that traditional approaches to religion didn't go deeply enough into
my spiritual heart. Later in my life, when the desire to become a minister surfaced, I realized that ordination in any particular
denomination would not serve me very well, knowing that I could not serve others as I wished to under the auspices of a strictly
Christian flag. This issue came close to deferring my desire for ordination.
The Priesthood of the Believer
One of the most valuable parts to me of my Baptist heritage is something called "the priesthood of the believer,"
which teaches that Baptists are free to interpret their faith according to their own innate understanding. I have extended
this tenet beyond the Baptist denomination by choosing ordination through a religious institution that matches my belief about
the priesthood of the believer and allows my deeply ecumenical nature to be served. The Association for the Integration of
the Whole Person is that institution.
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The Ordination Process
It was extremely important to me that the ordaining body require something meaningful of me, something beyond my writing
a check and filling out an online form, which I would not have done. The ordination packet for AIWP (more than fifty pages)
asks for fairly extensive documentation of one's qualifications and experience, along with letters from three professional
and educational references. In addition, a number of personal essays are required.
Before deciding to submit documents to AIWP, I shared all the information in the ordination packet with three people whose
opinions and keen intellect I value, asking them to peruse the materials with a critical eye. These three are my brother,
attorney James W. Pierce; Thomas A. Jackson, Pastor Emeritus of Wake Forest Baptist Church; and Dr. H. Eugene McLeod, retired
theological librarian and church lay leader. When I received their endorsements, I undertook the required discernment process
and then applied for ordination. At that time, I also invited Tom Jackson and Gene McLeod to serve on my Board of Directors,
which they readily agreed to do. It is an honor to have them by my side in this ministry.
Click for excerpts of endorsement letters to AIWP.
Click to read about Drs. Jackson and McLeod and what they have to say about Amy.
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This Question of Tax Benefits
Understandably, there are people who might question my ordination through such non-traditional means. I've come to realize
that most of the skepticism is because of tax advantages given to ministers, a benefit I did not know about when I was searching
for an ordaining organization. There is benefit as well to those who offer financial support to the ministry.
Since my ordination in July of 2004, those who seek me out for spiritual counseling no longer pay a set fee for my services,
they make a donation instead. This was a choice I could make, not a requirement. Because I made that choice, those in my
care may now deduct any amount of their donation that is above the fair market value of the service they receive ($75/hour).
Many of those who see me cannot afford to pay the fair market value and so cannot legally claim a tax deduction. There are
occasionally people who make donations and do not receive services in exchange. For them, any donation is fully deductible.
I ask those who work with me to understand that this ministry is both my Calling and my primary means of support and to
thoughtfully consider this when deciding how much to donate. I do request that they donate at the fair market level if possible,
and I never turn anyone away who cannot afford to do so. Nor do I turn anyone away who cannot donate even a modest amount,
as ministering is something that chose me, is what I have been Called to do. Had I been searching for a way to earn more than
even a modest sum of money, I would not have chosen the path of ministry.
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