The SMP Life

Sometimes God’s Call unfolds quietly,step by step, until one day you find yourself boarding a plane, trusting Him.

Just a little over a year ago, I first became aware of this Single Ministry Pastor program. Tomorrow, my mentor and I leave for St. Louis to attend orientation at Concordia Seminary, officially beginning this journey.

My wife and I walked through the doors of Pilgrim just over two and a half years ago. We were simply looking for a church home. One focused on Christ, not entertainment. One that still understood the meaning of “is.” We had no aspirations for leadership of any kind. We wanted to worship, attend a Bible study or two, and maybe make some new friends.

A year later, I was asked to serve as an Elder. A month after that, I accepted. What followed was a year of whirlwind activity.

I led a team that worked to revitalize and refocus the congregation. Along the way, I was also drawn into pursuing this SMP thing. Hurdles were overcome. Obstacles fell. Tests were passed. Finally, program acceptance was offered! It still feels surreal.

Today, Pilgrim is largely a healthy organization. There is still work to do, but God has clearly sent His Holy Spirit to this church and is actively at work in and through it every day. The results are real. People can see them. People can feel them. God is good.

This coming week, I take on the title and role of Vicar for this congregation. My mentor and I will finally have many of our questions and uncertainties answered. We begin the formal walk toward ordination.

If someone had told me, when we first walked through those doors, “You’re going to be a pastor,” I probably would have laughed. Me. A pastor. I would have said that ship sailed a long, long time ago.

But God had other plans.

I have seen firsthand how perfect His timing truly is. We really should learn to trust God and His timing more fully. So tomorrow morning, as we board that plane with questions, concerns, and yes, even some fear, we do so trusting in God’s Providence and stepping forward in faith.

Trust God and get going. Amen.