Candidacy Essay: Jakob Harmon

From members of my home congregation to strangers in the checkout line at Walmart, I

have been told throughout my life that I was destined for ministry. At first, I would smile politely and dismiss such comments as well-intentioned but misplaced. Yet as I moved through life, their words began to echo more deeply. During my years in music education, the call grew stronger. In my Bachelor’s program, I even made what I thought was a harmless bet with God, thinking that if God could make a seemingly impossible situation work out, I would follow where God was leading. To my own surprise, God pulled through. That moment became a turning point. It was no longer a vague possibility that I might work in ministry; it was a clear, Spirit-led summons.

Since then, my call has been tested, affirmed, and shaped through real ministry, be it leading worship at camps and conferences, helping younger generations expand their faith through education and conversation, and now serving as interim pastor at a small church in Pittsburgh during my last year of seminary. I believe God is calling me to serve as a teaching

elder in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) because this is where my gifts, convictions, and sense of mission align. The Body of Christ has consistently affirmed this call through encouragement from mentors, affirmation from congregations I have served, and the Spirit’s quiet but persistent nudges. In this essay, I will share what I have learned about myself during the discernment process, how my faith has grown, what I have learned about the office of teaching elder, and why I believe the PCUSA is the best place for me to answer God’s call.

The formal discernment process of inquiry has been a time of deep self-examination. Entering candidacy is not a casual decision; it requires facing the hard questions: “Am I truly called?” “Am I equipped?” “Am I willing to be shaped and stretched?” Through mentoring relationships, seminary formation, and real-world ministry, I have learned that I am most alive when walking alongside others in their faith journey. Whether in a week-long youth conference or in a quiet pastoral care visit, I find joy in listening deeply, offering encouragement, and helping people see how God is already at work in their lives. My background in music education has also shown me that I have a teaching style that blends structure and creativity, which I see as something that translates naturally into preaching, leading Bible studies, and crafting worship.

I have also discovered that my call is sustained not by dramatic mountaintop experiences alone, but by the consistent, steady work of ministry. Preaching every week, providing pastoral care, and engaging in the administrative life of a congregation has taught me the rhythm of ministry: proclaiming the Word, tending to the needs of the flock, and guiding the church in mission. One thing that has surprised me is that my path has not been marked by significant challenges or closed doors. Instead, doors continue to open in unexpected ways, confirming that God is leading me forward. These openings are not things I have orchestrated for myself, but have often come unasked and at just the right time, further affirming that my calling is not simply my own idea or design, but God’s work in my life.

My faith has grown in both depth and breadth during this journey. In depth, because I have learned to trust God’s guidance more fully. Each new opportunity has reinforced that the God who called me is also the God who provides what I need for the work. In breadth, because ministry has opened my eyes to the diverse ways the Spirit moves within the Body of Christ. Leading worship at camps and conferences taught me to trust that God speaks through community in powerful and unexpected ways. Conversations with youth and young adults have reminded me that faith is not static – it is something that can grow, change, and flourish when given room to be nurtured. Serving as an interim pastor has expanded my faith by placing me in the rhythms of weekly worship leadership, sermon preparation, and pastoral care. Each Sunday, I see afresh how the Word of God speaks into the unique needs of a particular community. I have also learned to embrace the grace at the heart of the gospel. In the Reformed tradition, we affirm that our salvation and our calling alike rest in God’s grace alone, not in our own merit. As I have grown in ministry, I have seen this grace at work not only in my life, but in the lives of those I serve; a grace that welcomes, restores, and transforms.

Through the guidance of mentors, the study of Scripture, and hands-on ministry, I have come to understand the office of teaching elder as both a high calling and a humble service. The Book of Order (G-2.0501) describes this role as proclaiming the good news in Word and Sacrament, teaching faith, caring for the people, and participating in the governance of the church. I have seen that this calling is not limited to the pulpit. The teaching elder is a shepherd, a teacher, a preacher, a counselor, and a fellow traveler in faith. They help the congregation interpret their lives through the lens of God’s Word, administer the sacraments with reverence, and guide the community in living out the gospel in the world.

My gifts align with the role of pastor in several ways:

• Preaching and worship leadership: I am now preaching weekly and have grown in

  crafting sermons that speak to the congregation’s lived experience while remaining

  faithful to the biblical text.

  
  

• Pastoral care: Visiting the sick, praying with those in crisis, and supporting those in grief

  have deepened my sense of compassion and my awareness of the Spirit’s presence in

  pastoral moments.

  
  

• Faith formation: My background in education equips me to teach in ways that engage

  different learning styles and age groups, making space for all to grow in their faith.

I am also aware of my growing edges. I am learning to navigate the complexities of church administration, to balance pastoral presence with personal boundaries, and to seek ongoing spiritual renewal. I approach these areas with humility, knowing that ministry is a lifelong journey of growth.

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is not just my denominational home; it is the theological and spiritual community in which my faith has been nurtured and my call has beenaffirmed. I am drawn to the PCUSA’s emphasis on education; not only in academic terms, but in forming disciples who engage their faith with heart and mind. The denomination’s commitment to the guidance of Scripture, interpreted in community and under the authority of the Holy Spirit, provides a strong foundation for ministry. The centrality of grace in our theology reflects my deepest conviction that the gospel is first and foremost good news of what God has done for us in Jesus Christ.

I value our connectional polity, which embodies the truth that ministry is never a solo endeavor but a shared calling. The support and accountability of sessions, presbyteries, and General Assembly ensure that the church’s mission remains Christ-centered. I appreciate that in the PCUSA, even difficult conversations are approached with the conviction that Christ is the head of the church and that the Spirit still speaks through the gathered body. Our Reformed tradition also calls us to be a church engaged with the world; working for justice, caring for creation, and standing with the vulnerable. I believe that my call to ministry is inseparable from this witness, and the PCUSA offers the theological and communal framework to live it out faithfully.

From the earliest nudges in my home congregation to the affirmations of strangers, from the “bet” that I made and God so faithfully won to the daily work of preaching and pastoral care, I have been led to this moment. I believe God is calling me to serve as a teaching elder in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.); to proclaim the gospel, to administer the sacraments, to shepherd God’s people, and to join in God’s mission in the world. The Body of Christ has affirmed this call through encouragement, mentorship, open doors, and the shared work of ministry. My faith has grown deeper, my understanding of the office of teaching elder has matured, and my love for the PCUSA has only strengthened.

I step forward not because I am without weakness, but because I trust in the God who has called me, equipped me, and will continue to guide me. It is with humility, gratitude, and hope that I seek to answer this call – not for my own sake, but for the glory of God and the building up of Christ’s church.