Newsletter Article

I wrote this for the May Newsletter, and thought it might be a good blog article, so here it is:

The Church In My Life

My father was a minister, so I grew up in the church. That meant that most of the activities of my childhood and youth centered around church events and happenings. Even as a young adult, I never strayed too far from the church. There are several reasons for that. First and foremost is that it is through the church of Jesus Christ that I found meaning and purpose, identity and the core beliefs of my life. As an adult, when I moved far from my home and relatives, the church became 'my family' even more fully than before.

Then later in life, the time came when I felt a strong sense of calling and followed that. I attended seminary, even though doing so was a significant challenge with four children, one of whom was four years old when I started. I enjoyed twenty wonderful years in the ministry, bringing my gifts and service to the Lord. Eventually, I came to believe it was time to retire from full time ministry, and do something different, like interim ministry perhaps.

I recognize now that not only have the activities and events of my life come from church, so also has the work of my life and most of the primary relationships. It doesn't get much more central than that.

UPC (my current church) is a special treat as I continue my love affair with Christ's church. I am learning all about the community in which I live. I am still actively serving the Lord; I am forming new relationships. I am part of something that keeps me connected to the believers from every age. God is so good!