I've been thinking and praying lately for all of the United Methodist pastors who have moved to a new church this summer. In many annual conferences, this is the time of year that United Methodist pastors move. There is much to do. There's all the normal stress of moving into a new home and figuring out where to put everything. There's the awkward time when you feel like you're living out of boxes. There's also the whole process of getting used to sleeping in a different house. There are new sounds and it's a new environment. It can be a bit disorienting.
On top of all of this, starting a new church can be very stressful for a pastor. There are new names to learn. There's an office to set up. There's all the little details that they never told me about in seminary like figuring out what key works in what lock in the church building and just where in the world everything is in the church building.
This is also a time of real anxiety for pastors and for congregations. They have to get used to one another. Congregation members have to get used to a different voice in the pulpit and often a different style of leadership in worship. Pastors have to learn church traditions and figure out where the hospital is and where to go to visit someone in the hospital. I can remember that also this seems to be the season for Vacation Bible School. In at least half of the churches I served, it seemed like Vacation Bible School started the week I started or the week after. This was always a huge undertaking and felt a bit overwhelming for me.
So, with all of these experiences in mind, I'm taking the time to pray for my brothers and sisters who continue to faithfully serve local churches and submit their lives and their families to the appointment authority of the Bishop and Cabinet. During this time especially they are living examples of obedience and faithfulness to the calling of God in their lives.
Thanks for being a part of my journey!
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