Reflecting, Rejoicing, and Remembering: 6 Years of Ministry Partnership
Earlier this week, Bethany and I got away for a couple of days at the lake in celebration of our 16-year-anniversary in late July. Time spent together over meals, hiking, and kayaking gave us opportunity to reflect on how our lives have changed since the day we said, “I do” and to rejoice in the rich blessings of God through years of laughter, tears, difficulty and joy. Two days without the pressures of daily tasks and meeting the acute needs of our children provided the space to remember both the covenant we made to one another before God and man and the calling of God on our lives as husband and wife.
When we take the time, anniversaries provide the space for reflecting, rejoicing, and remembering what God has done, and this Sunday, August 25 marks another anniversary – 6 years since my first sermon as pastor at Calvary.
As I think about these 6-years of ministry partnership, I am reflecting on the many changes the Lord has brought our way. Our children, who were 7, 4, and under 1 when we unpacked out belongings in the summer of 2013, will begin 8th, 5th and 1st grade respectively this Monday. Many people who worshiped with us that first Sunday are no longer with us, as God has providentially called some away and others home to be with Him. Many empty chairs have been filled with new friends and partners in ministry, whom we’ve had the privilege to welcome, and some with whom we’ve experienced the sadness of saying goodbye. And the building in which we gathered that first Sunday is today just weeks from an incredible transformation.
As I reflect, I’m also rejoicing in the blessings of God throughout these years. He has faithfully enriched our lives with deep friendships and demonstrated His love to us through the kindness of His body, the church, through both the joys and sorrows of life. He has brought our church through times of difficulty, and enveloped us with His presence, as we’ve gathered for worship, community and service. He has enabled this ministry to bear fruit, not because of the strength of our plans, strategies, or talents, but because His Word will not return void and His strength is made manifest in our weakness. And He has provided us with all we need to do all He is calling us to do in this and every season of life and ministry together.
As I reflect and rejoice, I also remember the calling that God has placed on this church is the same today as it was on August 25, 2013. We have been called to bring glory to God in this generation and the next by making disciples right here in Raleigh and wherever we have been sent. I’m always amazed that the “multi-everything” expression of the church is God’s great idea for enacting His mission in the world, but we at Calvary have the privilege of being called into His mission together. And the promise of Jesus given to his disciples before He ascended to His throne is as true for us today, as it was for them 2,000 years ago, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
As I reflect, rejoice and remember on this 6th anniversary at Calvary, my heart is filled with the prayer of the Apostle Paul, as he engaged a similar exercise in considering his beloved ministry partners in Philippi:
I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Christ (Phil. 1:3-4).
Happy 6th anniversary, Calvary!
With Gratitude and Love,
Pastor Nate