Community of Joy

Lutheran Church

Even though I’ve been to a lot of places and I have many years of schooling - I still consider myself a life-long learner. I want to continue to grow as your pastor - as I preach, teach, counsel, lead, and provide vision.  Please

      Item 5: We pastors are church members and leaders. I am your pastor, but I also need to have you act as my pastor at times. I need you all as a source of spiritual strength.

 

      Item 6: Family time is precious. My time with Cheryl is the major source of my joy. A pastor with a happy family life is a much better pastor and a better example for all.

 

 Item 7: As pastors we struggle to spend time alone with God.  It is often difficult to get everything done and have time with God. That has to be a priority for me. I need to recharge and refuel (with God as the source). Don’t be surprised to sometimes see me “staring off into space.” That’s time for God and me.

 

    Item 8: Pastors need friends too.  All pastors long for trustworthy, loving, friends within the church. Friends who love us in spite of our shortcomings and foibles - priceless!

 

      Item 9: Pray for me and for our church.  Any “success” that this church enjoys comes from God. Daily prayer for me, our church leaders, and the ministry of this church will be the fuel that drives us to do God’s will in this place.

 

      Thank you for the opportunity to serve with you in this exciting worshiping community we call Community of Joy Lutheran Church, Hot Springs Village.

 

 Thanks also for your participation in our Feedback and Fellowship meetings in May. The meetings were very enjoyable and productive. The input from those sessions is on the bulletin board in the narthex.

 

 Enjoy your summer!

 

In God’s Peace,

110 Balboa Road   Hot Springs Village, AR  71909

501-915-9569

continue to encourage me in this endeavor.

 

As you may be aware, I receive

scores of documents to read each week. One of my toughest tasks is to sort through all of the “stuff” without taking up too much of my time. A

few years ago I received “Ten Things Ministers Wish Everyone Knew.” As is often true with me, I didn’t agree with all of the items, but several of them did “hit home” and I would like to share them with you (slightly modified).

 

Item 1: Being a pastor is more than a job.  As a matter of fact, you will not hear me refer to this position as a job. It is a vocation - a calling. And each of you are more than just a member of this church. You are loved, valued, and appreciated - even when I forget to tell you that.

 

Item 2: I love to preach and teach.  I am encouraged by watching the fire of the Spirit grow in you and then seeing that fire come to fruition in some form of Christian action. Being a Christian is a way of life - not just a Sunday activity!

 

Item 3: Some things drain our emotional and spiritual tanks.  It’s not possible to always “be up” (although I feel like I am "up” most of the time). I do feel the pressures of this calling on some occasions. Lift me up when I am down - if you can. I will return the favor.

 

      Item 4: Volunteers are priceless.

Recruiting workers is time consuming and often mentally exhausting. Please volunteer freely. Help me to plug your passion into our ministry.