I want to let you know about a project that has been in the making for years.
For me, the year 2020 marks 15 years in vocational ministry, almost entirely in the local church context. In these years, I have learned so much about who a pastor is and what a pastor does. I have arrived at some convictions with regard to what it would mean to train and develop others for this work.
I have also learned a lot about what it means to be a human person. I’ve learned much about contours of the life of faith, the aches and pains and longing of the heart, and how the medicine of the gospel applies to all these things. I have sat across the table with countless people, hoping to care for these souls, and it has helped me see the world in a unique way and the way our God works within it.
(To be clear, I have also made many mistakes in ministry. And I’ll continue to make them.)
I have a deep and abiding interest in what some call “practical theology.” Here’s a way to think about the field of practical theology: The art of applying the wealth of the Scriptures, the history of Christian reflection, to particular things in the life of a particular person, or a particular community of faith.
Alongside my pastoral work at Grace, I have a strong desire, a hard-to-explain urge to write more. (Or more accurately, to begin sharing my written reflection more regularly). Further, I have an urge to support churches and other groups, through teaching, in the biblical, theological, and spiritual formation of their people. Finally, I want to help develop others as they prepare for local church work with greater intentionality.
I’m not aiming for abstractions. But instead, I’m seeking to serve and support people I love. Folks from whom I have had as much to learn, as I could seek to give back.
This is both an act of worship for me, a spiritual and personal discipline, and a way that I think I can use my meager gifts to serve God’s people. I think part of why I exist is to use words so that the truth comes alive—either written and through live teaching events. I think another part of why I exist is to raise others up for ministry.
The Scriptures teach that through the church “the manifold wisdom of God” is being made known (Ephesians 3:10). This new project is my way of participating in Jesus’ unique and particular glory in the world.
All this to say, I’m going to begin gathering these things together this year, in four ways.
First, I’ve never been more excited about my work at Grace Fellowship.
Second, I’ll be housing my writing here. And trying to do more of it.
Third, I’ll be bringing some of my outside-of-Grace teaching opportunities under one heading, so I can be more organized (and helpful).
Fourth, I’ll be consolidating some of the training and development work I do, of current and future church leaders, in one place.
I’m thankful for your support in this and would love for you to interact with the ideas you’ll be seeing. Though Grace is my priority, I’ll continue to be available, a finite number of times each year, to support your church or group. Please let me know if I can serve you.
If you’re young in ministry, so am I. But, I’d love to see how I can help you grow into this beautiful calling.