Pastor's Note | Saturday, November 22nd

Just a few minutes before I began to write these words I received an email from the individual who helped Connie and me to refinance our home mortgage a few years ago. His email conveyed “Three Reasons I am Thankful for You.”

I was flattered that he thought so highly of me and appreciated his words that conveyed three very significant things about thankfulness and the value of relationships.

The first reason he was thankful was for the privilege to be “your trusted financial professional.” Nice. We did trust him and he did serve us well. More importantly, it made me think of the privilege I feel to serve as part of your pastoral staff. It is a privilege to enter into life and faith with you. It is an honor to be your trusted spiritual leader, teacher, counselor, and friend. I am thankful to be your pastor.

The second reason for his thankfulness was “as your financial professional I am able to share my expertise with you.” He was saying –whether he would phrase it this way or not – that he is able to carry out his “calling”. Similarly, being in a pastor-congregation relationship allows me to share myself, my abilities, and my spiritual gifts with you and yours with me. That’s how a church flourishes, how people are shaped by God, and how we grow in faith. Thank you for allowing me to be used by God in your life and for allowing God to use you to shape me more into the likeness of Jesus Christ.

His third reason for being thankful – and this may be a stretch to apply it to my own reasons – is that “your support is vital to my business.” In other words, when I refer people to him he benefits and his business grows. Is there a parallel to the pastor-congregation relationship? Yes. As we “refer” people to Jesus and to Good Shepherd by extending invitations to trust in him and to be part of this community of faith, not only do they benefit from the blessing of knowing God intimately, but the entire body of Christ is built up. Thank you for inviting friends and family to faith and to church.

As you take some time in just a few days to pause, to gather with family and/or friends, and to offer expressions of thanksgiving, please know that I am thankful for you. I am thankful for your faith. I am thankful for your giving of yourself and your resources to enable the ministries of Good Shepherd. I am thankful for the myriad ways I see the living Lord Jesus shine in and through you. I am thankful for your Christ-like love.

The Apostle Paul encouraged the followers of Jesus living in the city of Colossae with these words: “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.” Colossians 3.15-16)

Thanks be to God.

Pastor Jim