Seasons of A Pastor
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A.W. Tozer once wrote, "May not the inadequacy of much of our spiritual experience be traced back to our habit of skipping through the corridors of the Kingdom like children through the marketplace, chattering about everything, but pausing t learn the true value of nothing." I think that has been a great fear of mine for years. I am not a spiritual giant; I find it hard to identify with spiritual giants. I read through the gospels and totally identify with the disciples...they remind me of me. And I am not a contemplative. I'm just a man who wants to be serious with God. I've worked hard over the years not to take myself too seriously. Sometimes I've succeeded; sometimes not. I am well aware of the fact that God did quite well before I showed up and He will do quite nicely after I'm gone. But I've still struggled with so much stuff in my ministry. Stuff like, why is it that when the apostle Paul preached there was a revolution? When I preach people rush out for coffee and donuts. Why is it that when Paul proclaimed Jesus, he got thrown in jail, beaten up, whipped and even stoned? When I preach Jesus, people walk up and say, "Good sermon, Rick," and then go to Ryan's all you can eat buffet for dinner.
Each chapter in this book will be a comparison of priorities. These chapters will detail what I struggle to make real in my life today and wish I would have started living a long time ago. I do not wish to skip "through the corridors of the Kingdom like children through the marketplace." I can tell you at the outset that the giant step in mhy walk of faith is the one I took when I decided that God was no longer a part of my life--HE IS MY LIFE!!
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About the Book
The journey that led to this book actually began 25 years ago when I started journaling on a regular basis. My journals have been notebooks of thoughts, schedules, questions, and sometimes garbage which needed to be dumped somewhere. I think that through the years my journals have served as my personal "pschiatrist's couch." It's my desire to analyze 40 plus years in the pastoral ministry from the perspective of God changing me. Deeper than simply "lessons I've learned", I guess I would share in light of "things I wish I would have known" - "things I wish I would have had to courage to say or do" - "principles I wish I would have started living sooner." Each chapter will detail what I struggle to make real in my life today and wish I would have started living a long time ago.
About the Author
A retired pastor of 40 plus years. A husband, father, and grandfather. Pastored the Countryside Christian Church of Michigan City, Indiana for almost 30 years before retiring. Presently an employee of the LaPorte Community School Corporation of LaPorte, Indiana as a substitute teacher, as well as a private tutor.