Grace in 2010

As the pastor of a wonderful church family, I consider it the highest honor to shepherd God’s flock.  2010 will be a great year regardless of the circumstances because I know that “No good thing will he withhold from them who walk uprightly.”  There are many trials, struggles and sorrows that will accompany 2010, but our God changes not and so we can and will have deep joy and delight in God through those trials, struggles and sorrows.  I am also excited about the growth that God will do in His church this year. I am excited about the mini-series on the church being preached in March.  I am excited about the missionaries who will be ministering to us in the winter and spring.  I am excited about the classes on Sunday nights, I am excited about the series on Romans we will be starting this spring in the morning worship.  I am excited to have the goal of 150 people in attendance to hear God’s Word and that many will be introduced to God’s glory and delight.  I am jubilant about the marriage seminar and “date night” planned for this fall as well as the VBS planned for this summer.  I am overwhelmed with joy that I have the opportunity to serve God in His church in so many ways.

At the same time, I am hoping and praying for two specific things this year regarding our relationships as a church family.

1. I pray that we will truly learn and practice what it means to love one another as Christ loves us.  This means that we must be resolved this year to overlook each other’s faults and failures when possible, and strive for reconciliation and peace when we must confront.  This means we must be resolved not to speak about people, but speak to them with love and compassion.  Nothing will destroy the excitement and growth in a church faster than gossip and wagging tongues.  This also means we will not correct and criticize people when we should allow the Holy Spirit to correct them, while at the same time being God’s instruments of loving correction (this is the most difficult balance in relationships.  It takes mature discernment and absolute trust in the Lord-to know when to shut up and to know when to speak up).

2. I also pray that we will truly learn and practice what it means to forgive one another as Christ forgives us.  This means that we must be resolved to harbor no bitterness or angst toward our brothers and sisters, even if they “deserve it.”  This means that must be resolved to let our minor disagreements go and to not insist upon our tightly held rights.  This means we must be resolved to completely forgive even the most grievous sins committed against us, even if they never ask for forgiveness or make it right.  This means we will be resolved to always respond with grace, seasoned with salt.  We must be resolved to be people of action, not people of reaction.  And when it comes down to a conflict, we will vow never to hold their sin against them, but to allow it to be under the blood as Christ has already done so.

If we will truly learn these two grace-enabled disciplines, the year will be a total success even if we never get past Romans chapter 1 or all of the activities get canceled.  How about it Grace Family, can we be resolved in these two areas?