When the words run out … 

Do a Jeremiah.

We live in a world full of words. Words on paper, words on screens, words on billboards, words carried on airwaves and a variety of frequencies. And yet sometimes we run out of words. As I sit down to write this article, that’s my experience. I have come through a month of almost relentless communication — sermons, meetings and more meetings, phone calls and emails  — and yet when I step back for a minute, there is little that emerges from the depths of my heart and soul with which to fill a page.

On the one hand, that’s just a little bit scary. After all, as a pastor, shouldn’t I always have something profound to say? But, on the other hand, perhaps it’s not all that bad. Perhaps it isn’t until I am silent and without words that God can fill me with his words. So I turn to Jeremiah 1 (the Old Testament reading for the next Sunday) and find encouragement.

Jeremiah also felt that he had nothing to say. God had appointed him a prophet to the nations (v. 5), but Jeremiah felt absolutely inadequate for the task. “Sovereign Lord” he protested, “I do not know how to speak; I am only a child.” God, however, was not looking for a person confident in speech with much to proclaim. He was looking for an empty vessel. “Do not be afraid … for I am with you” declared the Lord. Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched the mouth of Jeremiah, saying “Now I have put my words in your mouth.”

What is your experience? Does the incessant barrage of words that is life in the 21st century sometimes leave you feeling empty too? Then let us join with Jeremiah in coming before the Lord as children with little to say. Let us give up talking and take the time to listen and receive. Let us ask God to touch our lips and give us what we cannot generate — words that are really worth saying. Words full of love and grace and divine power. Words that help us make sense of all other words, and know which ones it’s really worth listening to... or rather, toward whom it’s really worth tuning our ears.

Youth and Family Ministry

My ministry at St Paul’s this year will give more focus to youth and family ministry. This past month I have been involved with others in processing applications for the full-time youth and family ministry and youth intern positions. The intern position has just been decided, and I hope that the other appointment can be announced shortly.

I have also been preparing for the commencement in February of our new confirmation ministry program, called “H2H” (Head to the Heart). I am excited about the potential of this program for deepening the faith lives and experiences of our young people and their families.

Regularisation of call

At the end of January, I passed the milestone of being at St Paul’s for two years. I have recently taken part in a ministry review process that gives the congregation, the LCA’s College of Presidents and myself an opportunity to consider the status of my call to St Paul’s. I have conveyed to our District President my desire to continue to serve as a pastor of St Paul’s. Assuming that my call to St Paul’s is “regularized”, I will cease to be a “Graduate Pastor” in the eyes of the church, and become eligible for call to other congregations on January 1, 2009.

Newcomer hospitality

It is a wonderful blessing of life and ministry at St Paul’s that newcomers regularly grace us. Hardly a Sunday goes by without someone coming to St Paul’s for the very first time. These people are God’s gifts to us, and our call is to welcome them in his name. To assist our staff in doing this, Cathy Beaton and I are looking to identify and support members who are willing to extend home hospitality to repeat visitors within weeks of their initial visit, and others who are willing to make follow-up phone calls and home visits. Training will be provided. Please contact Cathy or myself if you would like to discuss the possibilities of serving in this way.

May God richly bless you throughout 2007, growing you in faith, hope and love.

Yours in Christ,