“Rejoice
in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the
needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.” Romans 12:12-13
Seems
I hear it a lot lately; “time flies”. And of course, it’s coming from those who
have been around a while, which, I believe is a gracious gift from our great
God and heavenly Father to help us wait well. He, of course, knows the plans He
has for each one of us, and this past year, it seems His plans include allowing
many in our little congregation to experience things in life that, well, if
we’re honest, we would profess them to be really, really, hard. But wait we
must.
A
lot of the talk around our sick house is about waiting patiently. I run into a
lot of people in my own extended family that ask; “why is it taking so long for
this test or that procedure, or that major surgery?” And I always ask; “what exactly
is long?” I’ve never waited like Abraham and Sarah for a child; we only waited
till we were 30, not 100. I’ve never waited for decades like Joseph to be put
into leadership; it was only 5 years after I felt the call on my life to
pastor. I’ve never come close to the patience of Job in any of my maladies.
From
kids waiting for their birthday or Christmas, to adults waiting for whatever it
is we might be waiting for that we think we will never be able to wait for, we often
wait, as one author put it; “because of our sin disease, we wait with a ‘dis-ease’.”
But, while we wait, we need to remember
that something is actually happening, while nothing is seemingly happening. God
uses waiting to change us.
Over
the past year, my intention was to take us through the Beatitudes from the
Sermon on The Mount. I was looking ahead even before I started that series to
what would be coming after that. I had untold numbers of thoughts, and, mountains
of notes. But, as I came to the place that I would be wrapping up the
Beatitudes, I was struck by the fact that there was so much more in that first
sermon Jesus preached that there was no way that I could end it there; I had to
carry on to the end of the sermon. And lo and behold, it’s the dawn of the New
Year and we’re not finished it yet!
We’ve
spent a whole year looking at Jesus’ description of a kingdom citizen; how one
enters the kingdom, and how one lives out their life in, and for, God’s
kingdom. And, boy, how it has affected me as I wait to be finished.
As
a pastor, I tend to focus on equipping you as our congregation to live life
trusting God with what He’s doing, and, inviting others to follow Jesus and
join us in His kingdom. We have seen new people connect with us and, engage in
our worship services, and begin to serve. I look back with gratitude on God’s
kindness in what He’s accomplished through many of you.
We
never know what God will bring into our lives in the New Year, some will hope
it’s a little less “exciting” and some will discover different things they will
wait for. But, “this I call to mind, and
therefore I have hope: 22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his
mercies never come to an end; 23 they are new every morning; great is your
faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:21-23) The same God who spoke the entire
universe into existence, is the same big, gracious, and merciful God that we
call our Father; and He is good, and He is faithful.
Along
with the Pastor equipping the church, I’m so thankful for all of you who are encouraging
and equipping one another; spurring one another on to love and good deeds.
I
want to especially thank all those who are ministering to our children. We know
how important it is to saturate them with the Word of God so that they will
grow to love Him with all of their heart, soul, mind, and strength, and, follow
the example of those who are serving them, so that one day they will also serve
their God, and one another, with “joy
inexpressible and full of glory.”
I’m
very excited about 2020. My prayer is that God will continue to challenge us,
grow our faith, and shape us into His people by whatever means He deems right
and good. My personal vision for 2020 is lead well, teach well, and care for
His people well.
Leading
well
in 2020 means being intentional about how I support every member of our
leadership team, from the deacons, to the Official Board, to our Ministry
Leaders, to everyone that volunteers, so that they have what they need to meet
the needs of our Church Family.
Teaching
well
means that I know that I’m always going to be learning, always challenging
myself in knowledge of Scripture, devoting myself to prayer over my messages,
and getting necessary mentoring so that I can always improve in this important task
of preaching. It also means listening well. Listening as we pray together,
listening to our Leaders so that they can fulfill their roles here at CBC, and
listening to God to grow our understanding of His Word.
Of
course, listening well will also help me to care well for all of you,
our family. Our church has many who are dealing with significant struggles,
health problems, family trials, and spiritual needs. My commitment to you is to
always uphold you in prayer, to walk with, and support you, on your spiritual
journey, and to be there as one who listens well.
2019
seems to have been a fairly smooth year for me health-wise. And as I’m feeling
quite well, my commitment is that I will also care for myself well. I will
devote myself to God’s Word and growing in my personal relationship with God. It
also means that I will focus on some simple, yet important things, like; taking
time for myself and my family, and using my time well, so that I am not burning
out and compromising my health when you are in need of support. I will also be holding
your Deacons to a commitment to spiritually care for you and support you in
your walk, encouraging them to live their faith publically and to model what it
means to be a follower of Jesus.
I
believe that God that this will be an exciting place for all those seeking to
lift up the Name of Jesus as we join our voices together for the cause of God’s
kingdom, for His glory. As your pastor, God willing, and by His amazing grace,
I will lead well, teach well and care for you well, so that together, we can
accomplish all that He lays before us in 2020. Thank you for your faithfulness
in praying for Bonnie and I this year, thank you for your presence in church on
Sundays, and thank you for being part of our life together here.
“Now to him who
is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to
the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus
throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:20