It’s Sunday, December 7, 2014. This morning my house is a bustle with children playing and decorating our Christmas tree. In just a few hours we’ll all be setting up for church.
Today marks the beginning of the Christmas season for Grace Collective Church. Our almost four month old church is gathering for worship in the early evening for the next three weeks.
I’ve spent the morning studying my sermon notes, quadruple checking all the technical preparations and packing my Ford Explorer to the brim with all the bins of “church stuff.” Now here I sit thinking.
My heart and mind are flooded with the thoughts of each family and person that has begun attending GCC. I’ve been in a “pastoral” role for almost twenty years. This year however, I’m “the” pastor. Each day seems to bring a new insight or fear as I grow into my new title.
I pray for people in a different way now. I worry about them late at night. I wonder if they know how much I care about them, their health, their happiness, their families and their walk with God. I worry that I’m not strong enough, smart enough, compassionate enough or kind enough to lead them well.
Now, as we embark on our first Christmas season as a church, I think back on all the wonderful years the churches I’ve been a part of have enhanced my enjoyment of the “most wonderful time of the year.”
Will Grace Collective Church do that for this family of faith? Will God choose to bless the work of our hands? Will my decisions help guide people to a greater understanding of Christ and all He’s done for them?
Will anyone even show up for service?
This is most assuredly a Christmas of firsts. I pray that years from now I will look back with a great appreciation and thankfulness for what God has done from our humble beginnings.
For now I’ll simply choose to trust that God has ordained all of this and enjoy the ride as long as it lasts.
Merry Christmas Grace Collective Church. To be your pastor is one of the greatest blessings of my life.
I love you all.