On July 15th, I celebrated my second anniversary as a called and ordained pastor in the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. I think it's always good to take a minute to reflect about the past in order to help guide the present and future.
I remember my installation Sunday. The church was packed that night. The choir, which I later learned hadn't sung together for some time, sang their hearts out. Pastors and seminary students laid their hands on me and gave me a blessing. Leadership from St. Paul instructed me to preach and teach them the Word of God and to administer the sacraments of Holy Communion and Holy Baptism. What an exciting day!
Installation day has been followed by countless other exciting days. Festival Sundays like Christmas, Easter, and Pentecost. Goals achieved like introducing the new hymnal, bringing back Vacation Bible School two years in a row, and putting into action a three-year ministry plan, none of which could have been accomplished without the help and support of wonderful workers and faithful members at St. Paul. I have presided over many weddings and many funerals. The Lord has used my hands to baptize many children and adults, to give out His body and blood, and to reach out to those in need.
I love to teach and preach. I'm not sure the number of sermons I've preached at St. Paul, but I am confident the Lord works in the hearts and lives of the hearers as He promises to do. I've taught about Two Kinds of Righteousness, Family Life, Genesis, and Revelation. I've been on several retreats with the confirmation students and with adults.
Over two years, I have gotten to know some very great people! The members of St. Paul are great, loving, supportive people who truly care about me and my family. You don't get that sense of community and relationship anywhere. It's a direct result of being brought into the body of Christ together; unified by the Lord Himself!
Some days are hard. Some days are easy. Whether hard or easy, the Lord has proved time and time again that He is with me through it all, leading and guiding. Apart from the grace and guidance of Jesus, I would most certainly screw everything up. Instead, the Lord is guiding His church and He's changing my life! Day in and day out, He makes me a new creation, washed in His blood, equipped with His good gifts. Ready to get up and get to work each day!
Looking ahead, the Lord is leading us into the missionary field. Clearly He has placed us in the field of Paducah, KY. We are also going to explore what we can do outside of our community with the prayer that we bring back what we learn into our community!
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