Suddenly I seem to have been thrust back into ministry in ways I didn't anticipate. In the last week pastor Joe asked me to preach when he has to be away for his seminary work, I've been asked to mentor a young man preparing for possible ministry, am officiating at a funeral tomorrow, singing at a wedding on Saturday, helping provide leadership to an Agape Prayer Ministry training weekend in October, and organizing a worship service for an upcoming Koinonia weekend. I thought things were supposed to slow down!
My first Sunday of retirement remains vivid in my memory. I'll never forget walking into the church that Sunday morning and feeling the weight of responsibility lifting from my shoulders. It was as real as if I had been carrying a heavy backpack and someone took it from me. Before that day, I hadn't even noticed the weight. It was simply life as I knew it. I have no complaints; my life has been blessed beyond measure, and I know too many people whose life burdens are far more than I'll ever know, but still, I pray daily for pastor Joe and for others who are still in the midst of ministry. As our society continues to collapse, the job isn't getting any easier. I'm grateful for the privilege I've had to be pastor of Park church for so many years, and grateful that there is still work for me to do. Hopefully, with age will come increased wisdom and a deeper walk with Christ that will have greater impact for God's kingdom than when I was getting paid for it.
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