Seventeen years ago on September 1, I began my first call, serving four congregations in rural Illinois. I walked into that ministry setting not knowing what I was in for. I honestly had little to no idea what I was doing. Having been a pastor now for these seventeen years, I can say with confidence that I still have absolutely no idea what I’m doing. Well, that’s a little bit of an exaggeration, but it’s humbling to have been serving congregations and people for this long. I’m reminded regularly that my past experience informs how I respond to the needs of the congregation now, but I can’t assume that what I’ve learned and experienced is going to be the solution to whatever challenge I encounter in my ministry among you here at Esperanza. What I’ve begun to notice more and more, however, is that when ministry happens, it’s usually not at the appointed moment in time.
What I mean is that ministry that truly matters happens off schedule. It’s the coffee with a high school or college student that just needs a chance to decompress after a stressful moment in life. It’s the quick trip to the hospital “just to check in” with the member who is dealing with health issues. Ministry is making sure the preschool kids are having fun, and ensuring their parents know we love their kids. Sometimes, ministry is spending a few minutes of passing conversation with a women’s group, and sometimes ministry is taking time to discuss a future vision with someone who just randomly stopped by.
Whatever ministry is, it doesn’t just happen on Sunday mornings and at council meetings. Ministry happens in the small moments that when I first started out as a pastor I didn’t value as much as I do now. More than that, through the years I have realized how much ministry happens when the pastor is nowhere to be found. Ministry happens when the community of God responds to needs without needing an invitation from a pastor or other leader. The good news is the ministry of Esperanza has been happening for years, and will continue to happen for years through acts of mutual care, fellowship, and service. None of this relies on a pastor, but happens because ministry happens wherever life is happening. Ministry is happening right now – in you. Do you see it? Do you see the ministry that is happening in your sharing yourself with your neighbor? In checking in with that friend who’s been dealing with a rough diagnosis? In acting with patience toward a stranger when the world suggests we should be impatient and judgmental?
Family of God, I’ve been blessed to be called by God to lead a small portion of the ministry that happens here at Esperanza for the past few years. But the ministry belongs first to God, and then to the people. I’m thankful for your partnership, and I hope that you’ll join me in celebrating the ministry that happens in the in between, ordinary moments of every day.