Thanks to my Church Family

 

On September 28, in the Sunday morning worship service, our church was very kind to express appreciation to me. My 19^th anniversary (Sept 17) as senior pastor was acknowledged, encouraging words were shared, and a gift was given. Thank you. Church family, I appreciate you.

            This congregation has been a beautiful environment for my children. They have grown up as Chapel Hill kids, Hillside Church kids. You have loved them as your own. It’s not always easy to be the pastor’s kid, but you’ve cared for them and not imposed undue expectations. This has been a safe, enriching place for them.

            Also, it’s great for Candy and me. Our marriage has strengthened in this place, among you. She has been loved as the pastor’s spouse. You have appreciated her and helped her find her own ministry niche. She has heard God’s call on her life. Some churches are hard on the pastor’s spouse. You have been caring. You have allowed Candy to have space to grow as a disciple. Thank you.

            In addition to loving the people of our church, the reason I continue to thank God for allowing me to serve as pastor here is mission. You hear a call from God to serve this community, and proclaim the Gospel. You’re not just looking inward, doing church in a self-serving way, marking time. You know God has a purpose and Hillside church has a part to play in God’s plan. I could only serve in a place that’s driven to glorify God and help lost people find Jesus. Hillside, you feel that call as strongly as I do. We are aligned in our desire to serve God. So, thank you.

Who knows what will happen in the next month, much less the next year? What we do know is God loves us, Jesus died and rose, and we are called to share this gospel with a lost and hurting world. If God wills it, next year, we will celebrate 20 years together. I think that will happen. I hope it will. But more than that, I pray that we all, you, me, all of us, are in the center of God’s will, answering God’s call, living for God’s purposes. That is where our joy is made complete.