A PASTOR'S CONFESSION

I failed ! I missed the deadline for the Church Weekly Update yesterday!  Funny how the day started off well but got more complicated as I went along. 

Early breakfast with Carol; off to the doctor to do a treadmill test; lunch with a friend where we talked about discipleship; and then my own appointment with my spiritual adviser.  At that point I had time to check my email and there was Debi’s note reminding me of my commitment.  I was doing good things but those activities couldn’t compensate for my failure.  But it was already too late, I missed the mark.  And, there was really no time to recoup.  I had another meeting over a quick dinner at TGI FRIDAYS® on my way to the final regular meeting of my CHET Servant Leadership class.  I finally arrived home last evening a little before ten after a fulfilling but rather long day.   But all I did during the day didn’t compensate for my failure.  Good stuff, but it didn’t wipe out the fact; I’d failed to meet the deadline.

This is a rather simple illustration of what happens when we fail.  Fortunately, in this case Debi has graciously helped me deal with my failure and is sending out this special email to share my Pastor’s Note with you.  I’ve confessed, I failed ! I’ve repented of my failure, I don’t intend to make this failure a habit and I’m doing what I can to correct the problem I’ve created.  I’m renewing my commitment to be faithful in the future and I feel reborn to my new opportunity.  Thanks to grace, I don’t have to live with the burden of my failure as I move into the future.

Sunday I want to talk about what we need to do when we fail as followers of Jesus.  In addition to a positive approach, I want to look at what happens when we don’t take advantage of God’s way of grace.   We have a choice in our response to our failures.  One can lead to healing and growth in Christ while the other leads to the accumulation of wounds that cause us to hurt ourselves and others. You’re welcome to join us at 10:45am for a great time of worship with singing and a message from the Word.

By the way, I hope you read through the Church Weekly Update.  There are a number of great opportunities for you to be involved in service and personal growth.  I want to emphasize the WORK DAY PART II this coming Saturday.  You don’t want to miss the pancakes at 8 am followed by good fellowship as you give a hand to help with the repair needs of God’s house.  And, don’t miss TUESDAY NITE LIVE!  Kevin is teaching through the month of November from to book of Hebrews.  Come join in the fellowship over some great food at 5pm followed by the study at 6:30pm. 

Joy, Pastor Marv