Reflections from 40 Years of Ministry

I am deeply grateful to the Westerville Christian Church family. Both Tricia and I remember moving to Westerville in late March 1988. Our first Sunday was Easter Sunday, April 3, 1988. Thank you for loving us. You were there for us when our daughter Jeanna was born. You were there for us when our son Sam was born. When I reflect on the past 40 years of ministry,
here’s what came to mind:

Jesus has and will always be the Head of the Church. It’s never been me. It’s not Bronson. Do not put ministers on pedestals. They don’t belong there.

Ministry is about relationships. Jesus wants us to do life together. We are better together than apart.

The best leaders are servant leaders. Jesus rebuked the religious leaders because they loved the flowing robes and long, windy prayers but never served. If you want to be like Jesus, serve!

Be fully present each day.

Use your gift. All Jesus followers have at least one. Without you, the church is not as strong.

Change is hard, but it’s oh so necessary. Be willing to change. Don’t be set in your ways. Don’t be a pillar of the church, always holding things up.

Be who you are.

Someone is going to suffer. Either the preacher in his study or the people listening on Sunday.

The Word of God does not change. It is also not multiple choice. You cannot pick and choose which Scripture you are going to believe.

The Word of God was not written to us; it’s for us. Never forget this.

What is wonderful about the church is the people. What is frustrating about the church is the people.

Ministers often leave because they refuse to apologize. This is a sign of immaturity.

Church members often leave because they feel they are not being fed. This says more about them than it does the preacher.

The vision changes. The mission never does. GO - MAKE - DISCIPLES!

You cannot say you love God, whom you cannot see, when you refuse to love people you can see.

Prayer is an invitation. Make being with Jesus a priority.

Meetings are important; family is more important.

Leadership influences. If you are not influencing someone, you are not leading.

There is a difference between attending church and coming to worship.

Do not let this life go by without participating in at least one mission trip.

Never listen to a preacher who says one thing at church and something different at home.

Being a Browns fan is the epitome of pain and suffering.

Tithe. Test God.

A tiny bit of humor in a message creates engagement.

If you don’t believe it, no one else will. You cannot fake genuine passion.

If my sermon bores me, we are all in trouble.

Encourage more than you criticize.

Take chances. Take up an offering for a pizza delivery driver during a Christmas Eve service. Pack food on a Sunday morning for hungry people in a third world country.

Think back on the last 24 hours. Repent.

Use the building. It’s bad stewardship if you don’t.

Invest in people.

Forgiveness is giving someone something they don’t deserve.

Don’t get mad at someone; explain what happened instead.

You are more effective when accomplishing your most important task each day.

Start your day with God. Roll out of bed onto your knees and thank God for loving you.

Readers are leaders.

Never plagiarize. Give credit where credit is due.

One day you will be replaced. Mentor your successor.

Slow down. Most God-ordained ideas come when you are quiet.

Love your children by loving their mom.

Reveal your strengths, and people will compare. Reveal your weaknesses so people can relate.

Practice makes you prepared; not perfect.

One more...
Know when it’s time to stop.

To all leaders at Westerville Christian, thank you for allowing me to serve here for 36 years. To all parents in my youth groups, thank you for trusting Tricia and me to take your kids to conferences and camps. It gave your children an opportunity to focus on God. It gave you time to take a mini
vacation. You’re welcome! 😊

I will never forget you. I will never stop praying for you. One final thought: GO - MAKE - DISCIPLES. It’s what Jesus commanded us to do. One day I’ll see you on the other side.