The LINK: 10/23
God’s Beloved People:
Our Mission: To Know Christ, To Become Like Christ, To Share Christ.
Well, how exciting and anxious is this. Saying good bye to a pastor who faithfully served through this congregation for 18 years. Receiving a pastor to walk along side you in the interim. Soon welcoming a pastor to minister with you in the coming days.
This transition time between the end of one pastorate and the beginning of another pastorate is strange territory. It is not unlike driving down a road you have not traveled before. It can be unsettling and yet energizing.
“God says, ‘I will send an angel ahead of you to protect you as you travel…’”
You have composed a lovely self-reflection piece, Mission Study 2023, Congregational Presbyterian Church, Lewiston, Idaho, a description of Lewiston, the congregation, the history, demographics, finances, ministries, mission, outreach, programs. Inviting and receiving input from the congregation regarding feelings, hopes, aspirations, concerns, the pastoral gifts valued to help guide this congregation to discern and follow God’s will in the years ahead.
If you haven’t already, do give it a read. If you have already, give it a second read. Seek God’s voice in the reading, being open to travel down roads yet untraveled, down paths yet untrodden. Where is God leading you? Where is God leading this congregation?
Where will this road lead? What challenges lie ahead? What blessings are yet to come?
That verse from Exodus ends with these words:
“I will send an angel ahead of you to protect you as you travel and to bring you to the place which I have prepared.”
To the place which God has prepared. Ah, the church trusts God is leading, may we be open to head off down roads not traveled before, not knowing where we go, but only that God’s hand is leading us and God’s love supporting us.
Joyfully Serving As Interim,