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About |
The Story: He had thought
that he wanted to be a biochemist but it didn’t feel right. Driving home from
a "chem." class during his freshman year at college, Todd had to
pull over. He couldn’t see the road anymore. All the frustration and
uncertainty that had been building inside him suddenly burst forth. Weeping,
he cried out to God, "Why? Why?" And then he heard more clearly
than any human voice. God said to him that he was supposed to go into ordained
ministry in the church. This was a great
shock. For one thing God spoke rather audibly. And secondly, although he had
thought of himself a Christian he certainly had never thought of it as a
profession. "What did that mean? Where? How?" Todd finished his
undergraduate degree at Wheaton College, Illinois in Philosophy of the Arts.
He and Darla married when he was 23 and she 21. They had grown up
together, going to the same church, an Evangelical Free Church. While at
Wheaton a friend asked him to visit his Episcopal church. He hated it! The
chanting, the incense…to Todd it was horrible. It was everything he didn’t
want in a church. But what about the Anglican writers with whom he identified-
C.S. Lewis, John Stott, J.I. Packer? There was something that they had to
offer. He started to study the prayer book looking for heresy. Instead Todd
found that 90% was scripture arranged for worship. He felt drawn in by the
mystery and presence of the sacraments and the celebration and dignity with
which the year is measured. Before coming to
Good Samaritan he was the Associate Rector at St Bartholomew’s, Episcopal
church in Nashville, Tennessee. In the spring of 1997 Father Greg called
asking if he would be interested in coming here to start some programs such
as home groups and men’s ministries. By June the Cederberg family was part of
the Good Samaritan family. When asked what
is his burden for the church Father Todd is quick to answer "I believe
that God is calling us to stop attending church and to start being
the church. I want people to be able to find how to fill what they are doing
in their ordinary day with the passion and confidence that the kingdom of God
is here. I am constantly amazed by ordinary people doing ordinary things who
see God show up and new ideas emerge; things change because of that. What
gets me going is people in small groups together speaking honestly about what
goes on in their lives and receiving support…people not losing sight that we
have responsibility to one another." Bio Facts:
Books he
recommends:
To Contact Father
Todd: |
