Well, I’m looking forward to this year’s church work.
For six and a half years we have been given the opportunity to work with a great bunch of people. When we first came there was hurt and anticipation. We weren’t quite sure what was the next step.
I took some advice a a pastor friend of mine (whose dad had worked for my dad back when my dad had a farm here in Kindersley). Stan had asked an older parishioner what was the most important things a pastor needed to know when he came to a church. The parishioner replied quite simply, “Love the people.”
Can’t say that has been easy. I’ve doubted that I was cut out for this. And yet, God created this gnawing-ness in side me that keeps me going. I want to see people who are committed to this community, prepared to proclaim that the deepest need is not better therapy, or better know how (which components are vital), but grace that accepts us for who we are, provides forgiveness for what we have done, and gives us strength for each day. That only comes from knowing God through Jesus Christ. With a community that begins to glimpse and grasp that truth, the good life will appear through the cracks and soon a loving society emerges.
That’s what I want to see.