The year is quickly coming to a swift and abrupt close. I can say the year has been eventful yet exciting. What a year! It has been the most trying year in all of my almost 20 years of ministry (and 8 years of being a Senior Pastor). It has been a year of implementing a ‘few’ changes in our corporate service. Actually, just one - starting a praise team! Also re-emphasizing my view of essentials vs. non-essentials within the local assembly. It has been a trying year, that really made me push pause on many of the plans I had to implement change; BUT I think the pace we took, overall, was and is apart of God’s plan. It has given me the opportunity to see people for who they really are, to focus on the preaching and teaching of God’s Word and for God to show me that there is a great danger in trying to navigate the vision of Christ’s church based on 2 or 3 people who refuse to move forward. Lesson learned.
With that being said, I have no regrets; but there are a few things I would have done differently this year. For one, I would have spent more time focusing on the young people within our congregation. In addition, I would have focused much more on guests and friends who would visit our church. Further, I would have quickly renewed my perspective and strength after the passing of my strongest supporter within our congregation, early in the year. I allowed the loss of this great woman to take me aback for a moment. Also, I lost my closest grandparent, my Pawpaw (paternal grandfather) the day before Thanksgiving. He will be greatly missed. I also would have blogged more! I’ll try this again - to harness and strengthen my writing ability in the coming year. Some of my fellow-bloggers have maintained a consistency that is both refreshing and intimidating, all in one. As much as I love to write, my insecurities regarding the flow of my thoughts, words and desire to provide something different has given me some pause. Nonetheless, I’m still committed to writing and the expression of my thoughts.
I will say that I am excited to see what 2014 will bring. Let’s go!
