A Year In Review

Technically I should've done this back in May. But, better late than never I suppose. I've been a pastor at my church for over a year. It's been fun, tough, challenging, eye-opening, crazy, busy, humbling, educational, nerve-wrecking, revealing, telling, good, monumental, insane, opportunistic, and ridiculously blessed.

Call me naive' but I didn't think a year made that much difference. This time last year I was a nervous wreck. This year, as we are on the eve of kicking off our new calendar year in ministry I come into it with much anticipation and direction about what's going on. Last year I literally ran around most of the time like a chicken with my head cut off. Perhaps I've underestimated the whole experience factor. My rookie year was just crazy. Probably not that unlike being a pro-football player. I really thought I knew stuff about being a pastor. I really thought I had a grasp of ministry. I really thought I had a grasp on myself even. In short my answer is "NOPE".
I forgot a lot of details (which is something I do anyway), I think all of last year was basically a trial run. I'm just glad that it didn't end up a disaster. To use a football metaphor, I threw a few touchdowns, a few interceptions, a few ill-advised passes, I was under duress, I got blitzted a few times, I got knocked down a few times, I got hurried a few times, I got confused a few times, I didn't have very good field vision. I made some mistakes. But thankfully I haven't gotten sacked.

I thank God for another year to do this. I have learned a lot about our church. I've learned a lot about ministry. I've learned a TON about myself; somehow ministry/leadership tends to expose weaknesses when I try so very hard to hide or ignore them.
I've learned that it's important to have confidence. I've learned that poise is pretty important. I've learned that things don't always go as planned. I've learned the importance of having a backbone and discernment about when to straighten it.
I've gotten to preach. I've gotten to teach. I've gotten a little wiser.
Most importantly though; I believe I've gotten closer to God.