As I write this letter, it is Monday morning. People joke about having a "case of the Mondays." As a pastor, I can relate somewhat to that sentiment. However, it is a little different for me. Sunday is usually filled with so much activity. Yet it is truly the high point of the week. For it is on Sunday that a week of sermon preparation culminates in the preaching of the Word. And together with the richness of Sunday morning worship and fellowship, Sunday becomes a meaningful denouement or conclusion to the week. Then comes Monday...and there are tasks to be accomplished, papers which need filing, different items that need attending to. So, yes, Mondays can be, at times, less than inspiring, even as a pastor.
However, this Monday is unique, for it follows on the heels of last night's annual meeting. Annual meetings are not always considered "inspiring." But I must say that after last night's meeting, I feel inspired.
Certainly, I am inspired by the shared sense of the great work that God is doing in and through our body as revealed in the comments shared last night. When attendance is not bursting at the seams it is easy to wonder about the morale of the troops. So, how encouraging it was to hear our members speak to a shared recognition of the important role that Renton Bible plays for the Kingdom of God. How encouraging to hear the appreciation for the ways that God is working in and through our fellowship.
Definitely, we as elders have sensed a significant level of health in our body. Having contemplated most of our many ministries at our annual elder retreat, not to mention our every other week elder meetings where we grapple with more of the day to day responsibilities, we have a strong sense that we are moving in the direction that God has called us to. Nonetheless, to have the body affirm this sense in our annual meeting is nothing short of inspirational.
Even so, as Debb and I headed home, we had a shared impression of words which were left unsaid last night. Both of us had thoughts that we would have loved to have shared with our body, but they remained unspoken. With this in mind, I am thankful to have a means to express those thoughts in writing. And for both Debb and I, the thoughts left unspoken were focused on thankfulness. We are thankful for Renton Bible Church.
First, we are thankful for how our body has stepped up in new ways this last year to take on new ministry opportunities. Many of you have taken that sometimes scary step of jumping into new ministry roles. Others of you have simply renewed your commitment in areas where you have faithfully worked before. But we have both been inspired by the way the body has joined together, for yet another year, to accomplish the work of ministry (Eph. 4:12). Someone asked what will happen to our ministries while we are away on this sabbatical beginning June 14th. But unlike some churches where the pastor is THE minister, here at Renton Bible there is such a faithful and biblical sharing of ministry responsibilities that I have absolute confidence that the work of ministry will continue on, and will continue on well, in our short absence.
Secondly, we share a sense of thankfulness for our elder leadership. I believe that the work of the unpaid elder/shepherd is often more difficult than most people realize. And, certainly, this year has brought it's typical share of obstacles. But our elders have so faithfully executed their leadership roles, as revealed, in part, by the blessings of last night's meeting. We thank God for the sense of unity in spirit and purpose that God has given our elder board.
Finally, Debb and I give thanks for the lovingkindness of our body. I often mention the Hebrew word Hesed in reference to God's covenant faithfulness and love for His people in the Old Testament. The word is variously translated lovingkindness, unfailing love or steadfast love. No matter how you translate it, it refers to a love that is genuine, unconditional, and deep. It is this love that we sense from our body, as expressed in last night's sharing. And it is this same love that Debb and I, in turn, have for our family at Renton Bible Church.
We are thankful to be part of this fellowship of believers. And we firmly believe that God will continue to work powerfully in and through us as we continue to seek His kingdom and His righteousness. We look forward to continuing to serve, love and grow alongside all of you in the years to come.
In Him, Dan and Debb