Ordination Anniversary

Today marks my seventh anniversary of ordination into the Office of Holy Ministry. Has it really been that long? Sometimes it does and other times it doesn’t. I had one person comment that ordination adds 50 years to your life. That’s a very interesting way to look at it.

As I reflect upon these last seven years, I see many good things the Lord has done for me and my ministry, for my family, and for the congregation that I am blessed to serve. But at the same time, I see the ways that the devil has attacked me and the congregation that I serve as well.

Being a pastor isn’t always glorious. In fact, glorious wouldn’t be the word I would use to describe it. Rather, I would say self-sacrificing, giving, shepherding, and even at times ugly. But doing the work of the Lord is the rewarding and glorious part. Bringing Christ to people in desperate need of a Savior is what it is all about. Bringing the body and blood of our Lord and Savior to the member in the hospital or on their death bed is what it is all about. Declaring a person forgiven all of their sins on account of Jesus Christ is what it is all about.

What have I learned these last seven years? I have learned that there is still more that I don’t know. I don’t pretend to know everything. I need to hear that my sins are forgiving just as much as my members sitting in the pew. I need to receive Christ’s body and blood for the forgiveness of my sins just as much as the next person does. You see, being a pastor doesn’t make you sinless. Being a pastor doesn’t earn you any better of a place in heaven as the next person. Being a pastor is a special vocation that God calls a man to, in order to bring Christ and His Gifts of Word and Sacrament to a congregation. The man who is a pastor is still a man. That means he is just as sinful, if not worse, than the next person, because he is the chief of sinners, just as you are.

If anything, after seven years, I guess I would say one thing that I am is humble. For some reason unknown to me, God saw it fit to call me to be a pastor. More often than not, the answer alludes me, but God is God and I am not. I trust His Word and His divine judgment. If he wanted me to be a shepherd to His sheep, who am I to argue?

To sum it up, here is a pray from Martin Luther at the ordination of a pastor:

Merciful God, heavenly Father, thou hast said to us through the mouth of thy dear Son our Lord Jesus Christ: “The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest” [Matt. 9:37–38]. Upon this thy divine command, we pray heartily that thou wouldst grant thy Holy Spirit richly to these thy servants, to us, and to all those who are called to serve thy Word so that the company of us who publish the good tidings may be great, and that we may stand faithful and firm against the devil, the world, and the flesh, to the end that thy name may be hallowed, thy kingdom grow, and thy will be done. Be also pleased at length to check and stop the detestable abomination of the pope, Mohammed, and other sects which blaspheme thy name, hinder thy kingdom, and oppose thy will. Graciously hear this our prayer, since thou hast so commanded, taught, and promised, even as we believe and trust through thy dear Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, world without end. Amen.

A Divine Call

Trinity Lutheran, Gillette, WyomingFor the last 6 years, I have served as Assistant Pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church, Gillette, Wyoming. In April, the Senior Pastor received and accepted a Call to another congregation within the District. From mid-April until now, we have been operating with a single pastor. During these last few months, we have looked at and evaluated our needs to see if we wanted to call a second pastor or remain a single-pastor congregation. On August 7, it was decided to be a single-pastor congregation. A special Voter’s Meeting was set up for August 21 to determine who the congregation wanted to extend that Call to.

On the evening of August 21, I received and accepted the Call to serve as Sole Pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church, Gillette, Wyoming, where I have been serving the last 6 years. I am privileged to continue God’s work in this place and minister to His people that He has entrusted to me.

A Surreal Moment

Tonight marked a surreal night for us. We had over Pastor Firminhac and family for our “last supper” before they leave for Torrington. Sunday was his last Sunday at Trinity. Following services, a farewell potluck reception was held in his honor. It was a record turnout to say the least. Tables and chairs had to be brought up multiple times because of the lack of seating.

We spent two hours together enjoying each others company. Wesley got to play with their three kids one last time and Bryce had no shortage of people to hold him.

Over the last almost six years, the one thing I regret the most is not doing this more often. It’s not a usual thing to have two pastors in a church, so having this kind of fellowship is a true blessing.

As they prepare to leave Gillette either tomorrow or Thursday, we wish them God’s safety on their travels and blessings as he begins his ministry as the pastor of Our Savior Lutheran in Torrington.

Changes

imageChanges are happening at Trinity Lutheran Church. Earlier this month on March 6, our senior pastor, Rev. Scott Firminhac, received a call to be the pastor of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Torrington, Wyoming. After prayerful consideration, he announced today that he has accepted that call. His last Sunday here at Trinity will be on Palm Sunday, April 17.

I would ask for your prayers for Trinity and for me as we transition from a two-pastor ministry to a single-pastor ministry and for Our Savior and Pastor Firminhac as he begins his ministry there. This will be a difficult transition and time for both congregations. Pastor Firminhac has served at Trinity for 13 years. Our Savior’s previous pastor has served there for 30 years. Having a new pastor for them will be a very big transition.

As Pastor Firminhac said in his letter to the congregations, this is not his Church and it is not the congregation’s Church – it is God’s Church. God’s Church will continue, both in Gillette and in Torrington, regardless of who is behind the pulpit. God’s Word will be preached and His Sacraments will be administered. We pray that God’s Church will grow and many will hear the saving message of Christ crucified for us sinners.

Heavenly Father, You give to Your Church faithful men to be ministers of the Gospel. We thank You for the ministry that You have given to Pastor Firminhac at Trinity over his tenure here. As he has accepted the call to be the pastor of Our Savior, give to him that wisdom that comes through Your Word as he ministers to the saints of Our Savior. Bless his ministry as continues to be a faithful servant of the Word as a servant of Your Church. Continue to be with me and my ministry at Trinity, that these saints may continue to be fed by Your blessed Word and Sacraments. Continue to remind the members and pastors of these congregations that this is Your Church and You will give to her servants those tools that are necessary for the furthering of Your kingdom here on earth; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.