I Don’t Get Called “The Young Pastor” Anymore

This Sunday will be my 30th anniversary as pastor of FBC O’Fallon, IL. I was considered so young then. Funny how quickly things change. But I’ve learned some great lessons by serving this long at my church. Here are a few of them.
You can trust God with your future. Following God’s path is best. Romans 12:2 tells us that God’s will is “good, pleasing and perfect” and I know that to be true from experience. I’m so glad I trusted God with my future as a young man. As a not so young man, I see that God has always been trustworthy.
Relationships are a great part of the journey. Paul mentions his friends and co-workers with such warmth in his letters. I’ve walked with people through their joys and their sorrows over the past decades. These connections with people are what I remember and appreciate. I love that God has allowed imperfect me and imperfect others to connect on our pilgrimage to follow the perfect Savior.
Change is part of life and ministry. Many things have changed over the years, and that is inevitable and okay. While change can be hard, stagnation can be toxic. I’m so thankful that God is always changing our perspectives and styles. And I’m glad leisure suits are a thing of the past.
The greatest things never change. The gospel is still the same. Prioritizing it needs to always be the mission of the church. Loving God and loving others still matters most. Serving is still more important than being served. The truth of God’s word is still the message that needs to be preached.
No, I don’t get called “The Young Pastor” anymore. But I do still get the great privilege of being called “Pastor”. I’m looking forward to all God wants to do in me, with me and through me in the years ahead. And I’m so thankful for the past 30 years!