Today marks the 37th anniversary of my ordination into the Pastoral Ministry.  On this date in 1987, the church in which I grew up affirmed the calling I had from God and set me apart to lead another congregation.  In Baptist life, ordination is an affirmation that God has equipped a person to serve in ministry leadership. Please permit me to share some observations I’ve made over the last 37 years.

Many spiritual significant things happened through my involvement in my home church, Pine Forest Baptist Church. 

I came to know Jesus as my Savior as a young boy during an evangelistic meeting in our church. 

Faithful men and women discipled me in Christian faith through that church. 

My church faithfully prayed for me when I publicly declared that I sensed God’s call on my life for ministry.

Several pastors and staff members “took me under their wing” and mentored me. Specifically, my pastor Jimmy Corbitt, Gary Hadden, and Pat Davis mentored me and modeled ministry for me.

I met, courted and eventually married the love of my life in that church. 

And February 22, 1987, at the recommendation of five older pastors who comprised my “ordaining council” the church ordained me.

For 5 years prior to my ordination, I served several churches around Macon as  student minister and/or music minister.  But 37 years ago, God set me on a journey that has been nothing short of an adventure.

Observations from the Journey

Every church where God has sent me has blessed me and my family in so many ways.  Here are but a few observations from this 30 adventure.

1.  “Pastor” is who I am, not what I do.

A pastor has a difficult time separating work from life.  Well-intentioned people sometimes try to temper their criticism with the admonition, “don’t take this personal.”  For a pastor, it IS personal. 

I did not decide to become a minister or make ministry my “career choice.”  God created me to minister.  Like Jeremiah, God established my destiny even when I was in my mother’s womb (Jeremiah 1:5).

2.  There is never a time I am not the Pastor. 

Wherever I go in public, I am still “the Pastor.”  If a teacher fails to speak to a parent in public, the parents probably will not take the child out of the school.  If a pastor somehow doesn’t see (and speak to) someone, then they may get mad and leave the church.

Many people have difficulty leaving their jobs at the office or workplace.  However, they at least have that option. There is a time when a store clerk is not a store clerk.  Not so for the pastor, we are always on duty.

3.  Ministry provides some of the most rewarding opportunities.

I feel a tremendous sense of awe at the opportunity to teach and preach God’s Word to His people.  What a privilege it is, but it is also a scary proposition.

I never get tired of watching people grow closer to the Lord in their faith.  God allows me to walk with people as they navigate through the ups and downs of their faith journey.   What an amazing opportunity to have!

And the greatest lesson . . .

4.  God is ALWAYS faithful.

Through all the ups and downs of this journey, one thing has never changed.  God has always supplied all I have needed – spiritually, physically, emotionally, financially.  Even when I’ve been less than faithful to Him, God has been perfectly faithful to me.

Whether or not you are a pastor, I want you to know that you can depend on God.  He loves you and has a tremendous plan for your life.  He has started a good work in you and will see it through to completion. (Philippians 1:6)

What’s Next?

God has taken me on quite a ride over these past 37 years.  I am not sure what the future holds, but I know that a faithful God will make each step clearly known.  I love what I do and, therefore, I cannot imagine doing anything else.  God created me for this, of that I am sure.

Lately God has placed a burden in my heart to invest in the next generation of Christian leaders both in the church and business world.  I want to encourage young ministers as they start their journeys in leading God’s people.  Additionally, I want to encourage young adults as they seek to live out their faith in the secular marketplace.

Thank Yous are In Order

I want to thank all the men and women of Pine Forest who invested in me as I grew up.  You gave me a great foundation.

To the men who were my pastors and mentors, thank you for your investment in my life and ministry.  I am who I am today because of you.

To all my former churches who patiently endured my ministry, thank you for allowing me to learn from my mistakes.

To my current church, thank you for taking a chance on me.  I pray I am and will continue to be a blessing to you.

To my wife who has stood my me through these years of ministry, thank you for making this possible.  I could not do what I do without you. You are as much a part of this ministry as I am.  I love you and appreciate you.

To my daughter who didn’t choose this life, but has embraced it with great enthusiasm, thank you for helping make it fun for all of us.  I love you and love that you love the Lord and His Church.

Finally, to my Savior, Jesus, I cannot thank YOU enough.  By your grace you saved me.  By your Spirit you enable me.  According to your plan you called me and placed me in this ministry.  I love you, Lord, and pray that my life always directs all GLORY to YOU.

Now… on to the next 37 years!