Isaiah 43:18-19
Stop.
Take a moment to reflect on the ministry of everyone who has positively influenced your faith life. Consider the lessons they taught you. Thank God for their love and care in your life.
Listen.
Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old. I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. – Isaiah 43:18-19
Reflect.
Just a week ago, our congregation experienced incredible joy when we voted to call two new pastors to serve our congregation. Erik Sevig will serve as Community Care Pastor and Kevin Bergeson will serve as Faith Formation Pastor. I am so thrilled to welcome Pastor Erik and Pastor Kevin into our congregation and its ministry.
As exciting as it is, and as fantastic as these two pastors are, it can be hard to receive new pastors. Inevitably, we compare them to previous pastors. This one was a better preacher, that one a more dynamic teacher, another was so kind, the other had the best sense of humor. That’s natural. When you think about the fullness of your faith life, you’ve likely had many kinds of pastors – and for that matter, other leaders in faith – who have come and gone, and not one has been exactly like another.
I encourage you to consider not comparing them, however. Instead, consider the new thing that each pastor or leader has brought into your life. Sure, the one wasn’t as funny as the other, but still brought beautiful new faith insights to you. Maybe you felt a more personal connection with the one, but the other has helped develop meaningful ministries. No pastor will ever be good at everything, or even all your favorite things (trust me, I know), but each one has followed the Spirit’s call to join you in ministry.
Together, we give thanks to God for the new things God does among us through new pastors, opportunities, and experiences that we can share.
Pray.
God, thank you for sending Pastor Erik and Pastor Kevin to us, and thank you for the work of the Call Committee that helped bring them here. Now, help us open our minds and hearts to the new things they will do among us to your glory. Amen.
Carry On.
How can you be praying for our new pastors this week? Can you also pray for their families in this time of transition? How about the churches that they will leave? Keep them all close in the days and weeks to come.