Wow! What a day. I wanted to let everyone know that I was officially installed as one of the pastors at CityView Church today. It was an incredibly exciting day, as it was my first Father's day and a very humbling one knowing that I have an incredible responsibility in the days ahead, both as a husband, a father, and a pastor. Today I was reminded that a pastor is one who manages his household well, is above reproach in all areas and one who aspires to leadership--one who burns with the desire to lead. Leadership is so much about being on the front line. It's about taking bullets, protecting the flock, teaching and training well, and leading the flock on God's mission. It's not an easy calling and I know that I will need much prayer in the days ahead. But the great thing is that the leadership that God has given me is of the little "L" variety. Jesus is the big "L" leader, and as the "Chief Shepherd," He is the Senior Pastor of our church and of my family. My job is simply to say, "follow me as I follow Christ" as Paul said (which means I have to follow Christ).
This last year of our lives has been crazy. This time a year ago, we were planning to move across the country for the second time in 12 months and Ang was 6 months pregnant. We felt a calling and responded to it, but it was very fuzzy and didn't make sense. It has even involved me working at a company that sells copiers. Believe me when I say that I have never aspired to be a copier salesman, but the Sovereign God has brought us through this journey according to His purposes and His timing. Now Elizabeth is 9 months old, we are happily settled in Fort Worth, and serving in a place we absolutely love and feel a strong calling to. Today was in a way the close of one chapter of our lives and the beginning of a new chapter. The story doesn't change much between chapters, (as we will both be serving in a very similar capacity) but today has definitely been a great day worth celebrating!
Today was a wonderful 1st Father's Day as well. Angela surprised me with a book of notes from dear friends and mentors from my life over the past several years. It was awesome. She did well. I could not have asked for anything better on this day.
