I have heard it said that God has already picked out the new Pastor for JOY Lutheran. All we have to do is discern who that is. I feel a bit schizophrenic about all this. It seems at odds with what I’ve heard people say. I hear comments like, “We really need a Pastor who likes insert an adjective kind of insert a noun (service, music, preaching, fill in the blank). Or, we need a Pastor who really supports ______ (fill in a church program or ministry). Some folks mention specific training, experiences, programs, etc. that the potential Pastor really needs to have been through. Are comments like these what we want or what God wants? Where is the discernment in all this? Sometimes, in the past I’ve heard people talk about “church shopping” and I have to admit, I’ve said it myself. This seems to be a “retail” “entertainment” or “consumer” model of church. I hear talk about church programs and changes to drive up attendance numbers. What’s the motivation here – making budget, filling the pews, or following our calling?
When I think about calling a new pastor, I think about finding a shepherd for JOY. I think about someone who works for and with the Sheep Owner to care for the sheep. I don’t think about someone who is plotting ways to make the flock bigger. After all, the “Owner” of our flock already “owns” (i.e. created, loves, calls, claims) all sheep, whether they are part of JOY’s “flock” or not. Everyone is part of God’s flock. I think about a shepherd who sees all people as God’s children, as our sisters and brothers. I imagine someone who loves all the sheep and who loves God. As shepherd, they care for all sheep, extending God’s love to the sheep as a reflection of their love of God. I pray fervently that God bring us a shepherd, and not the one that we might describe. May we listen to God and one another in the stillness of discernment to know where God is calling JOY and each of us so we find a shepherd to continue to lead the flock to and with God.
Read John 10: 11-18, and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally!
Mike
Joy Lutheran Church Ocala, Florida 