Poema

Dear Grace,

I have been reflecting lately on the mind-blowing truth that God rejoices when sinners repent. He rejoices. He doesn’t condescendingly breathe a sigh of relief, “Finally. You came to your senses.” Luke 15 says that he rejoices. Throughout this week, I’ve been wondering aloud, “why do you rejoice over repentance?” What is it about repentance and return that God loves? Is it that He gets the chance to display his mercy? Or that He gets to turn ashes into beauty, mourning into dancing? I don’t know if I have a fully formed answer, but the question itself is so awe-inspiring. 

Thank you so much for praying for Sarah and me during the surprise moment last Sunday. The picture of your outstretched arms and joint blessing was such a blessing. I can’t believe it’s been 10 years (14 total). 

Years ago, I asked a mentor who had served at one church for 25 years, how he did it. “5 years at a time,” he responded. Every 5 years, he would reflect on his ministry with the open question of where and what God was calling him to for the next 5. 

Don’t worry – Sarah and I have never felt more called to Grace and the poema work happening here! Still, I’ve had some episodic moments to reflect on the last five years. Here’s a few of my reflections in no particular order.

1. The work God does IN me is actually the transforming power for the work He wants to do around me. We are a large church. It can feel massive and overwhelming to think about how to shape the culture and lead. What I found is that as I focused on the work of being a wholehearted disciple – the Gospel bearing fruit in my life in an emotionally healthy and spiritually mature way, God used that inner work to impact the people around me. After five years, our culture and teams are healthier than they’ve ever been.

2. Time is passing. This might seem obvious, but it’s so profound for me. I can see before my eyes the way we’ve aged together. We’ve celebrated marriages alongside the passing of beloved ones. New births and necessary endings. People have moved away – actually, we’ve sent them out. New folks have landed and become such a part of our life together that it seems like they’ve always been here. Through all of it, I am so appreciative of the beautiful poema-type work that is happening among us. God is doing the miraculous in the midst of the unspectacular.

3. The greatest work of God often happens when we are most discouraged or hopeless. This was summed up for me in this year’s birthday reading of “The Life of David Brainerd.” Five years ago, I was exhausted, on the verge of quitting, feeling paralyzed by the state of the church and the world. In reviewing my journal from August 2021, it was such a dark night of the soul. In the darkness, God met me and began an intensive work of formation in me and Sarah that is still unfolding and bearing fruit.

4. We have an amazing church. There really is nothing else like us out there. Folks have a hard time categorizing us. Where else will you find a theologically and ethnically diverse congregation where Baptists worship and live life alongside Charismatics? Liberals, Progressives, and Conservatives are in Bible study together?  We sing choruses from Bethel Music, followed by a hymn, and then a responsive prayer. We are multi-ethnic with a heart for the nations and a social conscience. Gospel-centered. Contemplative. Liturgical. Open to the Spirit. Multi-generational. Mega, yet accessible and organic. I can’t believe that I get to be a part of us.

5. I love, love, love our ministry team. I also count it such an honor to pastor alongside our pastoral team and to lead with our elders. We have gifted and able servants whom God has added to equip and unleash you for ministry. But it’s not just their giftedness that makes me feel so honored. It’s the way they seek the Lord and love Him. The way they commune with Him in the quiet place: in solitude and stillness. They make me want to be the kind of pastor and leader such amazing people deserve.

6. Jesus is saving the best wine for now. A few weeks ago, I read John 2 and sensed Jesus speaking to me through His Word, “you have kept the good wine until now.” (John 2:10). I don’t take anything away from those who went before us, sincere and godly men and women upon whose shoulders we stand. At the same time, I also believe this promise from Jesus that the good wine of Grace Community Church is about to be poured and distributed. I believe my best days in ministry are ahead, and I am so curious as to what that means for our church! 

There’s so much more I could say, but I will treasure these things in my heart for now. 

With this weekend comes the launch of so many fall ministry rhythms. Monday nights we have several Come & See – Follow Me opportunities: the Mission of God class and the Emotionally Healthy Spirituality course. 

Our high school ministry had a wonderful kickoff event last Wednesday night with more than 100 students coming out for large group worship and teaching and then more intimate D-team engagement.

This coming weekend I’ll wrap up our Journey of a Disciple vision series, and we’ll close it with a time of Communion together. It’s been a while, so it’s a meal I’m looking forward to participating in together. 

With the cooler fall weather, I hope you have some opportunities to get around a fire or take a walk, taking in the signs of the changing season even as life rhythms go from summer to fall. All around us, we are reminded of a dynamic God who stays ever steady even as the seasons change. What a comfort. See you Sunday (if not sooner)! 

Mitchel