Pastor Appreciation

We said goodbye to my pastor this past Sunday. He and his family are moving to Indiana to pastor a church there (actually, it’s my sister’s church – small world). It was hard to say goodbye because he is a wonderful pastor, but the farewell service was beautiful – filled with gratitude and praise to God.

I don’t know why Pastor Mike’s leaving has been so difficult for me. After all, most pastors don’t remain at one church for their entire ministry. And I’ve experienced the departure of other pastors; both in my present church and in previous churches I’ve attended. But God has been doing some great things in our church under Pastor Mike’s leadership during the past 9½ years and it took a good month for me to come to terms with the fact that God was now calling him somewhere new and to realize that God will continue to work in our church under someone else’s leadership.

Part of the reason it’s been so hard to say goodbye is that God has used Pastor Mike to heal our church. When he came, we had just gone through a period of crisis under some of the previous leaders and the church was filled with tension, division, and bitterness. It was a very difficult time, but Pastor Mike brought back trust and a common purpose. He led a series of meetings to bring about a unified vision for our church, and it’s been exciting to see many positive changes coming forth during the last few years. Our church is now healthy and growing. Pastor Mike has been instrumental in planting the seeds and seeing them begin to sprout; it’s exciting to think about how they will continue to grow and whom God has already planned to come and further the blooming process.

But another part of the reason it’s difficult to say goodbye is because Pastor Mike is such a genuine, caring pastor. He truly is a shepherd and a servant leader. It just feels right to see him on Sunday mornings, welcoming people in the sanctuary, reading (and reciting) God’s word, and sharing applications with us to help us grow in our faith. He’s made church feel safe and "homey". He has been very encouraging and affirming. And yet, he has also challenged us, in his gentle way. To go beyond the walls of our church building and build relationships with people who don’t yet know Christ. To memorize scripture. To spend time daily with God. To step out of our comfort zone and take a risk. To develop a church body that more accurately reflects the cultures of our community. To deepen our relationship with God. All good and important biblical ideas.

It’s sad to think that Pastor Mike won’t be welcoming us to church next Sunday morning. But I am so thankful that God brought him to our church. I’m thankful for the years he spent helping us heal and grow. I’m thankful for the things God has taught me through him as well as for the challenges God is still speaking to my heart. I was blessed to have Pastor Mike as my pastor and I pray for God’s continued blessings on him and his family as they move on to this new chapter in their lives and his ministry. Their new church will definitely be blessed by his leadership. Thanks be to God!