I’ve been in ministry for a long time. Right out of high school. Okay it seems like a long time. As a matter of fact the first time I had the chance to lead in ministry was in an after school program where we’d pick up kids from a neighborhood near the church we attended in Hollywood. We’d bring them back to the church for a Saturday morning ministry almost like a VBS program. Did this for a long time.

My first real full-time ministry gig was at that same church that loved me often and my way of giving back to the church was by loving their kids often as I could like Jesus loved me. There are kids I still talk to on occasion and its hard to believe they’ve grown so fast. Teachers, physical trainers, Army folks. It seems like yesterday I was just sitting at camp with these same kids, eating, drinking, and watching kids come to know Jesus or serving side by side with them on some Mexico mission trip.

Hard to believe that someone took the time and believed in me that I had something to offer. Something to give. That my testimony and faith in God was of value in the kingdom and some how I got my little toe into the big show. As pastors I wonder if that’s how we’re perceived by others in the church? In some ways its like the way we look at an athlete. When they get to that place in their lives where they’re at their peak of their game. Maybe we are looked at in this way as pastors. This can be a joyful thought or an overwhelming thought in which I’d like to throw against a wall sometimes. With a smile of course. I hate that metaphor but it fits at least for now in my processing that occurs in ministry as a pastor.

Me in the big show? Hard to believe. Sometimes I have to pinch myself. Sometimes I have to remind myself that it took a long time for me to get to this place. God’s overwhelming grace. Not my strength. And sometimes I have to thump myself on the head that I’m still not completely ready and prepared for what I’ve already faced and will face on a daily basis in the life of the church as a pastor.

On a sweeter and yummier note there are times that I have to admit that although I continue to grow I couldn’t imagine myself anywhere else in the church universal. At least not right now.

What’s frustrating is the assumption that we as pastors have got it all together. Because we are in the positions we hold that we are the chosen ones. We’ve been selected by God to proclaim “good news.” At least that’s how we’re perceived. This morning the heater wouldn’t work in church. One person said something to the affect, “just do that hot air stuff you do.” I smiled. There is a member I’ve served with who reminds me that I’m the dude with the robe. The robe? This robe that people like Calvin wore as a means for telling the world he was now in the big show. He earned his way and that he had some brains regarding who God was and is for us as his children.

Sometimes I don’t like that robe. It’s to heavy. In the summer time especially in the church I pastor it’s too hot to wear. I think it scares people. There are those though of previous generations in the church who love when I wear my heavy black robe. It reminds them of a time when the church was at its peak. Its glory day. There is this one sweet lady who reminds me that I look good in a tie with my robe. I made a deal with her that I’d wear it when I did a baptism or administered communion. She smiled. And when I forget she makes sure to jolt my memory not to forget.

Hard to believe. Much to learn. Still growing. Praise God that at this time in my life I get a small part in the sharing of GOOD NEWS. A little toe in the big show. I love what I do!

One of the buzz words that is often used in our denomination is the word connectional. I love the fact that I could call any of my colleagues in ministry for advice, wisdom, or even a little prayer. In some ways with the birth of the blog we’ve even become more connectional within the church universal.

A couple of nights ago I was sitting in one of the longest presbytery meetings I’ve ever been part of and there was an older woman in her sixties sitting behind me in another pew. I had figured out that she was being welcomed into the presbytery and that she was waiting for her turn to read her statement of faith that evening and be interviewed by members of the presbytery in regards to her faith and call as a pastor. She leaned over to me during the interview process of another pastor that was taking place in the meeting and said, “is my statement of faith ok?” I had mumbled something like, “just give them your heart.”

When I read the docket for the meeting I figured out she was a hospice chaplain and had served for several years as a presbyterian minister. Now mind you I’ve never met this woman before. As the meeting continued I had stood up once during the interview process for another pastor and asked a question. When you stand up in a meeting like this its customary to say your name and what church you pastor. After I asked my question I sat back down. The woman sitting in the pew behind me waiting for her turn to finally come to be interviewed leans over to me as I sat back down in my pew and said, “you were the pastor that worked with Jimmy? Apparently she was one of the chaplains that cared for Jimmy over the year while he was dying of cancer.

Its an honor in that all of us who follow Jesus have an opportunity to be part of a connectional relationship as the body of Christ and in the church universal. We all have a part in the proclamation of the “good news” of a Savior who will come to bring hope to a world in need of hope. This Sunday we get to sing, “O Come, O Come Emmanuel.” Have you ever wondered what it might be like for the the Lord to sit and listen to his people sing?” Not just my church or yours, but the church “Big C” universal?

Happy Advent.

(Pulpit rock in Norway)

This Sunday in church (in a few short hours) we move to a two service format. (8am & 10:30am) The last I church I was part of had two worship services. One “traditional” and one “blended.” The pastor did a wonderful job of leading both worship services. The lay helpers, the choir, and the praise team all had a hand in making the services a worshipful experience. My son says to me today, “dad, are you doing the same sermon twice?” My response, “I hope.” Say a prayer for us if you visit here on occasion and for those of you from church don’t forget to set your clocks back and don’t be late…hehe.

Good news for the 7.5 of you that occasionally visit my wannabe blog. I was recently accepted here to begin a Doctor of Ministry. I feel all goofy inside and overwhelmed with thankfulness to God for the opportunity to begin. It all happens starting Monday!!!!

I’ve been sick this week. Still have managed to get through the day with enough grace from on high to do my day to day things. I’ve been pondering the meaning and role that mission has in the church today. I’m overwhelmed by the mere fact that we the church (in North America) are years away from truly becoming a missional community of Christ followers where we reflect the world and our own communities and where we’re becoming equipping centers with the great commission in mind. I’m struck by the fact and thankful that there are many who desire some of the same things I desire, but because of fear are afraid of risking the simplicity of what Jesus calls us to do as his followers. I can’t wait and my prayer continues to be, that one day one mission would exist.

Father’s day is coming…

Daddy gets to go here Sunday after church…and we get to cruise the field and play catch after the game. SHWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEET! Thank you honey!!!

Make sure you visit Jenny. She’s graduating from Princeton Theological Seminary this weekend. Pray for her. She rocks and will rock the kingdom of God. Jenny and I served in the youth ministry at this cool church way back when and sensed God’s call to go to seminary. Jenny, you rock, can’t wait to see where God will lead you.

Sitting here at Mt. Hermon…Darrell Johnson is preaching…”We are ordinary, broken people summoned by and gathered around the Risen and Ascended Jesus, to share in the life of Jesus, and to be engaged in the business of Jesus in the city.”

I must say I loved every bit of my seminary education. My theology classes with folks like this and this who I could sit and listen to all day long. After today and the fun I had today in officiating a wedding, these are a few classes I wish seminary had offered;

1. The Missional Theology of the Wedding Coordinator

2. Marriage licensee preparation and its use in ministry to engaged couples

3.  How to minister to broken down printers as a pastor without falling away from Jesus before the wedding.

4. The Office of Church Custodian and its function as a minister of the Gospel

5. The Etiquette of the minister of the Gospel at a wedding reception and how one is to function inspite of the yummy food being dished out.

Okay. Just a few.

When a new pastor begins his or her new pastorate in a Presbyterian Church there is a service of worship to install the new pastor. Although the fun has already begun, after this Sunday it’s official. I will be installed as the new pastor here. I have to be honest I’m thrilled, but anxious. I can’t wait to see what the Lord is going to do and will do. For you locals the service starts at 4pm. By the way it was 43 degrees in my office this morning…