a rare post

OK, so I realized that there have been some major developments in our life and, in particular, my ministry such that I really ought to post. Not that I wouldn’t want to share this with our readers, but I’m a person who would prefer to not make a big deal about my ministry changes and would rather share in person.

On a related note, someone from my distant past (15 years ago) tried to contact me. She thought for sure she’d find me via facebook and was quite surprised to learn I didn’t have a facebook account. Maybe I have a small, strange pleasure in being an increasingly public figure at church and in Boston with little personal information on the web.

Anyway, on the ministry front, my new role as congregational pastor is a humble joy. Humble because I don’t deserve this responsibility and could not even dare to attempt it apart from God’s grace. A joy because I think it may fit more with my gifts and passions in terms of vision, preaching, investing in people, and leadership.

At this time into ministry, I’ve several friends have faithfully served within churches and who are now planting churches. A couple of my friends both within and outside our church have asked me if I would “ever plant a church?” My answer is “Sure, if God called me to that.” With a church plant comes freedom, a need for innovation and vision. But with an existing church comes relationships, and the need to be patient and build trust and credibility with people twice my age and triple my wisdom. Honestly, church planting is hard work. I don’t envy the dedication required for a start up ministry. But there’s something also very challenging (and rewarding) about serving in a legacy of God’s continuing work.

Of course, though I’m the congregational pastor for our Chinatown English ministries, I guess I’m also still covering the roles of Youth Director, Student Ministries Director, and College Director. Good thing the Lord has raised up wonderful folks to carry on the ministry as we look to hire more people! And in all this, we’re trying to start a brand new After School program? It’s God’s doing.
So, to answer the putative question, “How’s your new role at church?” I would answer this way. “It’s more responsibility, slightly less work, more challenging, more freeing. It’s great. Thank God.”

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