2013 in Review
What I learned:
This past year was one in which I learned a lot professionally and personally. In my personal life, I have learned the need for hobbies, close friends, and the importance of reading. This past year, I have enjoyed a few hobbies of cooking and baking that helped me understand the simple and basic things that are needed within life. I enjoyed the hobby of gardening in which I was blessed with a bountiful harvest of beets, potatoes, green beans and peas. The beets were canned and given away to family to enjoy. I took the potatoes and gave them to neighbors and family. As I shared the gifts that I had been given, I was reminded to be doing this within every aspect of my life. The other vegetables, I froze and have used them in meals and am constantly reminded of how God cares for me and works with me in caring for the world.
Professionally, i learned a great deal that I am still reflecting upon. I started out this year, in which the congregation that I was serving voted on whether or not they would like to keep me as their pastor or if they would like to begin the search for a new pastor. The parish decided that they would like to find a new pastor. I was devasted to hear the news, it threw me into questioning my call as a minister. I took the decision personally but then I realized, it was not about me personally but rather a timing. They needed to take time and figure what it was that they truly wanted and what God was calling them to do. At this time, they wanted a person to lead them through that process and help them in that understanding.
Searching for a new call brought me great clarity in who I was and what my strengths and skills that I offer as a minister. I also realized the areas in which I needed to grow. By going through this process, I was able to understand how I best serve a congregation and find one that would really fit well. I was able to find a congregation that fit most of my strengths with the needs that they were looking for in a Pastor. There is never going to be a perfect match in finding a church and Pastor because the church is not the Pastor but rather a community of people who gather in the name of Jesus Christ.
Throughout my time this past year, I have been wondering about denominational differences among churches. Do people understand them? Do they know why there is a difference? Should I be teaching that there is a difference or simply focus on the message of Lutheranism, that it is through grace given to us by faith that we are truly made Christians. Yet for many that seems to be passive and that they do not have a part in the equation, what can I possibly do for God since God has given me all of this? kind of thinking. When people do come to me with this thinking I remind them of the promises they are fulfilling within their Baptism, that their faith is not only their relationship with God but also others around them.
The world is changing and yet the human condition is still present. We think that we have a better understanding of all that is going on around us and for many things, we do, yet we do not honor that understanding or think of the whole relationship that we are in with one another and God.
How I grew:
This year, I was reminded of the solid foundation of my own faith and felt God leading me through an understanding that though I was leading a flock of his people, I was simply that, leading the flock like an alpha ram but still God was my shepherd and the true leader of all of us. I still needed to rely upon God and His care for me and all that we were doing.
Above all, I grew in an understanding of my role as leader. There are times that I am called to be the prophet, speaking the Word of God in the midst of people who are wanting one thing that would truly be damaging not only to themselves but also their relationships with those around them. I continue to struggle with those are willing to draw a battle ground in understanding their faith. (especially when so many have never even set foot on a battle ground to witness the destruction, harsh conditions, or the relationships that are needed)
Goals:
Be better at keeping my health (mental and physical)
Track exercise
Take my day off once a week
Be better at finances
Budget and stick to it.
Include others in daily devotions and prayers (I mean actually meeting with others in some form)
Not sure yet what this will look like, I had hoped for an online triad years ago but that did not work out.
Gain better insight for preaching, teaching, and encouraging others in their faith.
Record and evaluate my sermons, seek feedback from congregation members
Begin a class within the congregation to help adults grow in their faith.
Find tools and resources for others to use within their homes for sharing their faith among their family.
These are all ongoing goals that I am striving for over the years because they are not something that I think one can accomplish within a year.
This past year was one in which I learned a lot professionally and personally. In my personal life, I have learned the need for hobbies, close friends, and the importance of reading. This past year, I have enjoyed a few hobbies of cooking and baking that helped me understand the simple and basic things that are needed within life. I enjoyed the hobby of gardening in which I was blessed with a bountiful harvest of beets, potatoes, green beans and peas. The beets were canned and given away to family to enjoy. I took the potatoes and gave them to neighbors and family. As I shared the gifts that I had been given, I was reminded to be doing this within every aspect of my life. The other vegetables, I froze and have used them in meals and am constantly reminded of how God cares for me and works with me in caring for the world.
Professionally, i learned a great deal that I am still reflecting upon. I started out this year, in which the congregation that I was serving voted on whether or not they would like to keep me as their pastor or if they would like to begin the search for a new pastor. The parish decided that they would like to find a new pastor. I was devasted to hear the news, it threw me into questioning my call as a minister. I took the decision personally but then I realized, it was not about me personally but rather a timing. They needed to take time and figure what it was that they truly wanted and what God was calling them to do. At this time, they wanted a person to lead them through that process and help them in that understanding.
Searching for a new call brought me great clarity in who I was and what my strengths and skills that I offer as a minister. I also realized the areas in which I needed to grow. By going through this process, I was able to understand how I best serve a congregation and find one that would really fit well. I was able to find a congregation that fit most of my strengths with the needs that they were looking for in a Pastor. There is never going to be a perfect match in finding a church and Pastor because the church is not the Pastor but rather a community of people who gather in the name of Jesus Christ.
Throughout my time this past year, I have been wondering about denominational differences among churches. Do people understand them? Do they know why there is a difference? Should I be teaching that there is a difference or simply focus on the message of Lutheranism, that it is through grace given to us by faith that we are truly made Christians. Yet for many that seems to be passive and that they do not have a part in the equation, what can I possibly do for God since God has given me all of this? kind of thinking. When people do come to me with this thinking I remind them of the promises they are fulfilling within their Baptism, that their faith is not only their relationship with God but also others around them.
The world is changing and yet the human condition is still present. We think that we have a better understanding of all that is going on around us and for many things, we do, yet we do not honor that understanding or think of the whole relationship that we are in with one another and God.
How I grew:
This year, I was reminded of the solid foundation of my own faith and felt God leading me through an understanding that though I was leading a flock of his people, I was simply that, leading the flock like an alpha ram but still God was my shepherd and the true leader of all of us. I still needed to rely upon God and His care for me and all that we were doing.
Above all, I grew in an understanding of my role as leader. There are times that I am called to be the prophet, speaking the Word of God in the midst of people who are wanting one thing that would truly be damaging not only to themselves but also their relationships with those around them. I continue to struggle with those are willing to draw a battle ground in understanding their faith. (especially when so many have never even set foot on a battle ground to witness the destruction, harsh conditions, or the relationships that are needed)
Goals:
Be better at keeping my health (mental and physical)
Track exercise
Take my day off once a week
Be better at finances
Budget and stick to it.
Include others in daily devotions and prayers (I mean actually meeting with others in some form)
Not sure yet what this will look like, I had hoped for an online triad years ago but that did not work out.
Gain better insight for preaching, teaching, and encouraging others in their faith.
Record and evaluate my sermons, seek feedback from congregation members
Begin a class within the congregation to help adults grow in their faith.
Find tools and resources for others to use within their homes for sharing their faith among their family.
These are all ongoing goals that I am striving for over the years because they are not something that I think one can accomplish within a year.
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