he calling, when it came, was not a siren summons from above. Instead, it was a slow logical dawning that shifted Tim Pikeâ??s career ambition from politician to ordained ministry in the Church of England. â??I was an altar boy at my parish church when I was 11,â? says the 46-year-old vicar of Holy Innocents in north London. â??The older boys did more interesting things like swing the incense and carry the cross, so I assumed it was a natural progression up the hierarchy and that you ended up being the priest.â?
He was 15 and had achieved the status of cross bearer when his faith crystallised. â??The priest was reading out the Beatitudes while I held the cross, and I thought yes, I really believe this,â? he says. â??My parish priest was one of the wisest, kindest people I knew and I wanted to be somebody like him.â?
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