Hickey Theology

My name is Shane Hickey and want us share and talk!

I may have created this blog out of desperation! I have retired from parish ministry after 30 years. I underestimated the effect this would have on me. As a minister (Christian Church: Disciples of Christ) I was engaged in the life of my church family. I went to my office almost every day and no matter how in tuned to my MBO (Management by Objective) list I was, I looked forward to the interruptions of church family members coming by to talk, to share or simple to say hello!

It gave me such joy to be their minister, friend and they, my church family, and friends. Someone will say “you can’t be friends with you congregation members” but I was, still am. Here in lies the problem, within our denomination when a minister leaves their church they are not to come back and worship with them, on top of that we are expected to have little or no contact with the membership. All this so the new minister can connect with their new church family. I understand why and I support this idea because I have seen what happens when a minister does not respect these boundaries.

I am struggling because I loved them so much and I was a big part of their lives and they a big part of mine. It has been a shock as to how much this has affected me. Susan and I are doing some major remodeling trying to catch up on the things we have let slide these past few years. Our family is in the middle planning our 50th Wedding Anniversary next month. I am starting a reunion gathering in October for my Baker Hughes family. I was a bi-vocational minister until 2016 when retired from Baker after 38 years. We have some traveling to do, and I am sure that I will be finding time to volunteer for different things in our community, that is a must!

Week in and week out for 30 years almost every Sunday I shared the Word of God with a little Hickey Theology. I took my call and ministerial responsibilities very seriously. My brother, Tim, when he found I was going to be a minister said, “you can’t be a minister you did things”, yes, I did, but somehow, I not only found God’s grace, mercy and love, but I accepted it and my life was changed.

This blog is not about telling people that their beliefs are wrong and they are going to hell. This blog is NOT here for you to share your political agenda and scream at one another; HATE is not allowed. I am hoping that in my sharing about life, some theological thoughts that you will want to share and have an open and caring discussion about things that are important to you.

I said at the beginning that I may have created this blog out of desperation, not because I am full of wisdom about life (some may say full of something) or I am so pious that my understanding of the Bible is somehow the last word. I want to have a conversation with you about things that matter to you that do not end in screaming or name calling. We have lost the art of conversation and intelligent discussions. The world has us putting up walls between yelling at on another through words that cut deep.

Again, I hope that our time together will be engaging, thoughtful and nurturing. …. Until next Time Grace and Peace