I’m writing this on the 22nd of July – probably about 2 days before you will get it. But the 22nd has been a big day for me for the past 18 years, because for the past 18 years I have been blessed to be called into the office of pastoral ministry.
Not only have I been “a” pastor for all of those years, but I have specifically been University Lutheran’s pastor for all of those years. Among pastors, it’s a usual topic of conversation to talk about where you have served and for how long. When I tell my story, I usually get “wow’s” as well as a few good natured teases about being in one place for so long. I usually shrug and say, “I’ve had calls, but for whatever reason, God has seen fit to keep me at University Lutheran.”
This year the celebration feels a little strange as I am currently “pastor in absentia” while I finish up my sabbatical (thank you for this opportunity, by the way), but I’m still doing some of the same things that I do around this time every year. I will pray. I will plan. I will be grateful for all of you and for the opportunity that we have to share the Gospel of Jesus with new people in Tallahassee.
Some of you have known me that full 18 years, and some have known me a little less, but my hope is that my ministry to you has been one that has pointed you to Jesus as the center of our community of Scripture, faith, and grace – a community that is working to make the Name of Jesus Christ known and to bring people the good news of their forgiveness and reconciliation through HIs Cross.
Over the past 18 years I have prayed “Luther’s Sacristry Prayer” quite a few times, so I’ll end with it, asking for you to pray along with me that I might have the help of God to be the best pastor I can be and be God’s instrument:
“Lord God, You have appointed me as a bishop and pastor in Your Church, but you see how unsuited I am to meet so great and difficult a task. If I had lacked Your help, I could have ruined everything long ago. Therefore, I call upon You: I wish to devote my mouth and my heart to you; I shall teach the people. I myself will learn and ponder diligently upon Your Word. Use me as Your instrument — but do not forsake me, for if ever I should be on my own, I would easily wreck it all. Amen.”