Last night was our Charge Conference. In our United Methodist structure, that is the annual "stockholders" meeting (all members are voting members of the Charge.). It is where we conduct some annual business, most of it perfunctory yet important. It is also where I get to share my "State of the Church" report. (click to read)
I don't have to confess, but I will, that this past year has been hard. Yet understanding the characteristics of a year 4 in a pastor's tenure, I expected a tough year. I expect that this current one (already 1/3 into it) will be a transition year. That leads to years 6-8 which are generally the most productive years. I look forward to this time and have been praying and working toward them, laying the ground work, preparing the right leadership, setting the stage, (you fill in any other trite saying you'd like here), all to anticipate what God is about to unleash on this church. And I truly believe it is coming, a wave of blessing, of people, of ministry, of change.
What's more important to me right now is the state of the pastor and family. I also have to admit that this has been the biggest stressor on me lately. We've struggled as we enter into some new territory as a family. Every stage of family life is new territory, I understand that, but not everyone experiences those stages in the same way. Nor do they react the same way. Now there's nothing wrong with my family, we are all healthy, faithful, communicating. But we are experiencing some priority struggles, personal mental and spiritual health issues, sacrifice issues. And from what I've experienced as a Pastor, it all sounds pretty normal to me. And probably to you, too. But as I heard someone say long ago, "the only minor surgery is that which happens to somebody else. When it's your surgery, it's always major!" And so true with all things, then they happen to us!
I guess the reason I write this today is to just be real. Pastors are real people with real issues. We are not (no, none of us no matter what we try to make you think!) super-humans who never have a problem in the world. It would be great if our prayer and faith life led to the perfect family that never had its share of problems. It doesn't. We're just like you.
My hope and prayer is that our example, our experience, our faith can lead you to a closer walk with Jesus. It is Him that has allowed us to know His blessing through all of our struggles and our victories. It is Jesus that has made us who we are...
...and who we are becoming.
The same is true with the church. Is it healthy? Not yet. But before health comes sometimes comes treatment, surgery, medication, rehabilitation and time. And the road to health requires disciplined healthy habits like exercise, vitamins and diet. As we age these habits become ever more important. We'll never be like we once were, but we can become healthier. We are on the road to health, even while the aches and pains still remind us that we aren't there yet.
These next few months and the years to follow are going to be the best we've ever had.
In other words, I believe we are in the place God wants us to be at this stage because God has something amazing planned for us if we are ready to follow God's plan.
And that's not a bad place to be. In fact, I'm glad we're there together.
Peace ><>
pc
2 comments:
I too am glad we are there together. I feel we must all realize that Pastors are human just like the rest of us and they face spiritual and family problems. I believe that if we all try really hard to work together for the good of the church we can make these next years some of the greatest for this church. If we keep God upper most in our hearts and what he has planned for this church it will be great. Just remember if God isn't in it, it will be hard to make it work. We have a great congregation let us all work together for the good of the church and PRAISE BE TO GOD.
I feel blessed beyond words that my family is a part of the COFS family and I know that God has got amazing things planned for our church..I too feel it on the horizon. So many things are starting to come together, so many things beginning to click. God is working..but I know all too well that God sometimes works the best on us when he puts us through struggles. Its through those struggles that we define who we are, its through those struggles that he takes a lump of clay and molds it into a beautiful work of art. In the 22 years that the Brock's have been a "family" the last 4 years have without a doubt been the most challenging, have brought the most hardship, have seen the most struggles. I can also say that the last 4 years have without a doubt been the most rewarding years. How I can say that they have been the toughest years but ultimately the best years? It seems a contradiction, but without the stuggles that we have been through we would not be where we are today. We would not be the family we are now. Those struggles have been a blessing and I praise God for making something beautiful out of it.. because through our family struggles have emerged a whole different family...a family that God is shaping and molding and creating beautiful works of art. The struggles we have faced have changed us, given us new priorities, given us new direction. He is not through with us yet..changes are still in continuting and while change can cause unrest I continue to pray for God's peace among us. I feel it is the same for our church family. Through out the struggles, thoughout the difficult moments God is creating something amazing. He is making our church grow together, bond together.
So, PC, our prayers will always be with your family. Through our struggles come something beautiful..and what a beautiful family you have!
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