How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news … (Isaiah 52:7 & Romans 10:15)
Seriously? I don’t know about you, but one characteristic I would never consider mentioning as an asset are my feet. I’m guessing I’m not the only one. I’ve always joked that the best way to clear out a church gathering is to announce a foot washing service and watch people run for the door. If my feet are considerable beautiful, then it must be something beyond their physical attributes. It can only be the content of the message that God has called me to share.
Charge conference season in the Corridor District is in full swing. While still early in the schedule, I have been amazed and encouraged through these gatherings. During our time together, people have the opportunity to share where they have seen God’s new creation, what they lament over the past year and what gives them hope. Each of these questions has led to deep and sincere responses. A theme that emerges in each meeting is a sense of God’s work in and through both the good and difficult times.
Ultimately, it is the Holy Spirit that opens the eyes of faith to see the works of God around us, the heart to experience the comfort of God’s presence and the ears to hear God’s voice calling us forward. However, the work of a pastor (in any setting – local congregation or extension ministry) is to prepare the souls of people to receive the gifts that God share with them. Because of your leadership, you are guiding both individuals and congregations into a deeper experience of God’s love and a fuller expression of that love to the world.
As the episode of the 10 lepers from Sunday’s gospel reading highlights, gratitude is important. Thus, I simply, yet profoundly, say THANK YOU to the pastors of the Corridor District. You have been faithful in your calling to embody Christ’s presence, share God’s love and lead through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Certainly there have been dark and trying times. There also have been experiences of blessings, breakthroughs, and victories. Through it all, you have been steadfast in following the call God
has placed on your heart.
While pastoral leadership is never simple, the past several years have been especially trying. You have been forced to navigate rapidly changing circumstance, which has affected worship, mission, pastoral care, and the meaning of community. You are leading in a time when pathways into the future are more obscure than ever. Yet, you continue to pray, discern, guide and encourage. Through all of this you are a blessing!
Again, I say thank you! During this month of pastoral appreciation, I pray that you are receiving words of support and gratitude. I offer my voice to the chorus. Your feet are beautiful because your spirits are faithful and your message is powerful. Well done!
