As some of you know, I'm going on sabbatical soon. My last day is today. At Grace, our policy is that pastors receive a 12-week sabbatical for every seven years of service. This gives us time to step away from the day-to-day ministry of church leadership, to restore physically and spiritually, and to reflect, read and spend extended time with our families. Jen and I are incredibly grateful for this sabbatical. I'm also very thankful for an expanded staff team (Daniel, George, Pete etc.), that will share the pastoral and organisational load in my absence (alongside Andrew and Luke).
Seven years ago, I left my start-up job to work full-time for the church. At the time, it was a big adjustment. I exchanged the daily start-up hustle for theology books, pastoral meetings and some church administration. Looking back, it feels like the Lord had to do a lot of work in me. It took me quite a while to feel like I was thriving in ministry. Seven years later, I adore my job. Some might say, too much! I love the relationships I have across the church, the team I work with, the opportunity to walk with different people and to be regularly encouraged by what God is doing amongst us. Here are a few reflections that I've learnt along the way!
1. I am not the Messiah! As a pastor, we're called to shepherd the flock God has given to us (1 Peter 5.2–5). This encompasses all sorts of activities, for example, speaking into peoples' lives, helping those who've become trapped in sin, or discipling someone through a specific challenge. I find this part of ministry very invigorating. And yet, the pastoral needs of the church can sometimes feel overwhelming. There are times when I fall into thinking that I'm responsible for solving people's problems. I have learnt to take great comfort from remembering that Jesus is the ultimate shepherd of the sheep. Psalm 127 reminds us that because the Lord is watching over (and building) his church, and so, we do not need to fill our lives with anxious toil. It's wonderfully releasing to remember he ultimately does not need us, but simply chooses to use us.
2. Ministry flows out of your relationship with God. The most important thing I can do, in ministry, is to walk closely with the Lord. Everything we do is part of the overflow of our relationship with Him. We share most effectively from what he has been teaching us. We must avoid the temptation to simply 'summon up' enthusiasm for the Lord, and instead, regularly return to Christ, to receive from him, and then to invest in others. I need to keep remembering that the Lord is more interested in who I'm becoming rather than what I can do for him.
3. Christians need the gospel. Early on in ministry, I used to think, 'every Christian already knows that Jesus died for their sins, I should probably tell them something new'. I was wrong. I've learnt that Christians constantly need to be reminded of the gospel, of the abundant love of Christ, of the welcome we receive at God's table, and of the never-ending mercy of God. We regularly fail to live as we should, and, sometimes, we feel utterly defeated. It's my (and others') privilege to lead wandering and bruised sheep back to the grace of God. As we remember and receive the grace of God, our hearts are turned to worship, we find the freedom to be honest about the sin in our lives and often experience a renewed desire to walk in holiness.
4. The importance of multiplying myself. Over the last few years, particularly as the church has grown, I've felt the increasing importance of raising up leaders to support and encourage the church. I take inspiration from Barnabas, the apostle whose given name meant 'son of encouragement'. He got alongside Paul (Acts 9 & 11) and helped him to begin his apostolic ministry. His investment in Paul resulted in huge kingdom impact as Paul went on to take the gospel across the known world. As I've grown older, I've come to realise that I will have a far greater impact through others rather than trying to do it all myself. I want to spend the rest of my life raising up others to strengthen the church (e.g. pastors, life group leaders, evangelists etc.). And of course, we all have a part to play in serving the church.
5. Expect conflict and pursue reconciliation. Over the past seven years, I've witnessed my fair share of conflict. And experienced some myself! I used to hide from conflict or pretend that it didn't exist. Most of us do the same. Unfortunately, unresolved conflict and hurt can fester and divide us from each other, which we don't want in the church (Eph 4.2). I've come to expect that we'll almost inevitably hurt each other (particularly as we build deep friendships). And yet, I've also witnessed the power of forgiveness. So, now, when I see hurt or conflict, I want to move towards it and actively pursue forgiveness and reconciliation. As you invest your life in the church, you may be hurt. But, unity is precious. Let's keep striving for it.
The last seven years of working for the church have been a wonderful learning experience. It has been a real privilege and joy. We'll miss the church family over the next three months. It'll be great to be back with you in October.
