As we welcome a new pastor, this is a timely article in The Lutheran, “5 things that happen when you get a new pastor”: http://www.thelutheran.org/article/article.cfm
- New people will show up.
- Some people will leave.
- Worship will change.
- New life will spring forth.
- You will love each other, by God.
“This last one is the most important, of course. When given the time and space to be free and honest with one another, and when they are intent upon living together in community, the congregation and pastor will, by God, love one another. Since that is the second greatest commandment, it should be a priority.
“If gossip, hard hearts, unrelenting egos and ambition get in the way, this fruit of the new relationship will surely whither on the vine. But when we give each other the authority and space to welcome new people, let people go, embrace godly change and encourage new life, love will grow and flourish and infect the church like a mustard weed, allowing the gospel to take root.
“The call of the church is not just the pastor’s, and the church is not primarily the parishioners’. It is God’s call; it is God’s church. We just enjoy the responsibility and joy of stewarding both.”
Let’s embrace the change, welcome Pastor Sam and others who join us in serving Christ at Memorial.