Pastor's Blog
Often times, when a new pastor is installed as the leader of a congregation, he or she may be presented with "signs of the office" of minister. At my installation on June 28, I was so blessed to receive lovely gifts from our congregation - a handmade quilt from the women of the church (a sign for me of the warmth of your love) - a prayer shawl from our Disciples congregation in Sheridan (a reminder to me to pray often) - and a "pastor's clock" from Jack and Betty Walts (in place of numbers its face has words like counseling/comforting/cheering/preaching - it's a sign to me of the importance of seeking to balance the many aspects of ministry).
During Vacation Bible School this week, as I share with 31 children each morning the Good News that "God is with us. God is powerful." (FEAR NOT!) I am finding myself blessed with different signs of the office of church leader... cheese under my fingernails from helping Lynda Williams clean up after snack time, water dripping on my socks from helping Jenny Black with some props from Crocodile Dock's bayou, and lots of hugs and smiles from our wonderful children!
One of the things on my to-do-list is taking my robe and stoles to a dry cleaners. (A lovely lady in the church, who also blessed me with flowers and candles at the installation, has expressed her desire to pick up the tab. What a thoughtful gift!) My robe is turquoise - to remind me of my home church in New Mexico where I was ordained. Currently.... it has a small grape juice stain on the front (from some forgotten Sunday morning communion spill) and a bit of candle wax on the sleeve.... These too seem, in some odd way, to be stains - I mean signs - of the office of pastor.
What signs in your life reflect your work for God? Are there some stains or bumps or bruises, some crowns or clothing or titles, some words or actions in your daily life that reflect both WHO YOU ARE and WHOSE YOU ARE? What are your "signs of office" of being a Christian?