“We don’t serve God to gain His acceptance; we are accepted so we serve God. We don't follow Him in order to be loved; we are loved so we follow Him.” Neil T. Anderson
This
is an exciting day in the history of Grace Church! It’s “Hello” to the Hausers
Sunday! This day is an answer to much prayer and planning. For some
time, our leadership has been aware of the need to hire additional staff to
enable us to continue to reach our community and develop more Christ-followers.
Because the Lord has blessed us with so many who are taking those first steps
forward in their faith, we needed additional help.
We are very blessed to have such a wonderful
staff! God has richly blessed us with Gary Thompson, Jane Carson, Susan
Riddle and now, James Hauser. It’s a joy to serve alongside
each of them. It’s noteworthy that each of them has a common trait in that they
have life and outside work experience, not just a ministry background. For
example, Gary was in law enforcement and a general contractor prior to entering
vocational ministry. James was a VP for a large bank. Backgrounds like that
give great insights on how to better minister to those, not in vocational
ministry.
We know James will be a blessing to us and we
want to be a blessing to him and all who are part of our Grace team. How
can we do that?
Regularly pray for them! Most of
us consistently pray for our families. Our church is our spiritual family. Those
on our ministry team are on the front lines, serving the Lord and serving you. For
me personally, during this pandemic, those who’ve shared that they’re
praying for me has so touched my heart. Please pray for our team, their spouses, and children.
Remember that they’re redeemed sinners…just
like you. Some think that those who are in vocational ministry don’t
struggle with temptation. All of us have our spiritual soft spots and Satan
knows what they are. We all blow it. Our old nature will periodically rise to
the surface. When it does and we see it in someone’s life, we need to show
grace just as we want grace shown to us. For us to be spiritually healthy there
must be a continual confessing of sin to each other and the asking of forgiveness.
We must be gracious forgivers, going forward in His grace!
They’re
here to worship, too. Everyone on our staff has some Sunday ministry responsibilities.
They’re main focus though is on worshipping the Lord, just like you. It’s the
time for us as a family to encourage, pray with, serve each other. Menial “church
business” can wait. Things like the sink in a bathroom is dripping or the landscaping
needs attention. We have so little time to worship together. Let’s all keep the
main thing the main thing.
His wife and children are simply that. One
of the continual blessings of our church is the kindness you’ve shown to my
wife and children. That’s not the case in too many churches. We’ve not hired James’
wife, Dana, or his children; Grace, Genevieve, and Grant. It’s not a package
deal.
Let me illustrate. Can you imagine introducing
your plumber’s wife to someone as, “this is my plumber’s wife”? A pastor’s wife
has an identity and first name, too. She’s not just his “wife.” She has a
unique personhood.
My now three adult children love the Church
and our church because of the continued kindness that you showed to them during
their formative years (all three of them were raised at Grace). Too many PKs
(preacher’s kids) are hurt and embittered by an unkind church.
The very few times that anyone came to me
about the behavior of one of my children, I learned to ask: “Would you go to
any other parent in our church about this?” If they wouldn’t go to anyone else,
then they shouldn’t go to a pastor about his children.
It’s tempting for churches to be very kind when
the pastor’s children are very young and have childlike “cuteness.” James three
children are in junior high and high school, and working through the normal concerns
young people have. If anything, they need more encouragement, prayer and
affirmation than a very young child needs.
We must be committed to biblically
problem-solving. Everyone on our staff is going to offend you from time
to time (personally, I seem to have a special gift for it). If it’s large
enough, obey what Scripture teaches (Matt. 18:15-20) and go to them one on one
and share the problem, seeking to problem-solve. All of us have been hurt by
learning someone has talked behind our back or to others about a problem rather
than coming to us directly. It’s one of the greatest wounds those in ministry
deal with. The Golden Rule says, “whatever
you wish that others would do to you, do also to them” (Matt. 7:12). We must treat leaders as
we desire to be treated.
Express
gratitude and encouragement often. Stored in a safe place at the
Library of Congress is a small blue box. The label reads: “Contents of the President’s
pockets on the night of April 14, 1865.” That was the fateful night when President
Abraham Lincoln was assassinated. It contains five things: (1) A handkerchief
embroidered “A. Lincoln”; (2) A country boy’s pen knife; (3) A spectacles case
repaired with string; (4) A purse containing a $5 bill—in Confederate money!
(5) Some old, worn newspaper clippings. Those clippings concerned the great
deeds of Abraham Lincoln. One reports a speech by John Bright, a British
statesman, saying that Abraham Lincoln is one of the greatest men of all time. That’s
not news for us today. We know Lincoln was a great man, but in 1865, the jury
was still out. The nation was divided. Lincoln had fierce critics as he made
decisions that he hoped would restore the Union.
There’s
something poignantly pathetic about picturing this lonely figure in the Oval
Office reaching into his pocket and spreading out these newspaper clippings to read
and re-read those encouraging words. It gave him the courage and strength to go
on. Everyone, especially leaders, need encouragement! So, if you’re thankful for
something a staff member or leader at Grace has done. Please let them know. Tell
them, encourage them and tell them again and again.
Those
who minister to us need to be ministered to, too! Will you be part of our Grace
Church Staff Support Team? I know you will!
Can
we help you spiritually? Can we help you know Jesus better? Please check out
more resources on our church's web page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or, call us at
262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more about how Jesus can change your life,
I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus changed my life in "My
Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy.
Please include your mailing address.
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