Closing Down Tom’s Desk
One, is the privilege of studying the Bible every day and preparing messages with the congregation in mind. It is the highest duty of pastoring to preach the word of God and build up the church toward Christ-like maturity. The exposition of Scripture is God’s prescription for spiritual health and growth; without it the church will devolve toward man-centered priorities. God has spoken, and He still speaks through His living and active word. That I got to study the Bible daily and experience the joy of discovery and then to share it in sermons, classrooms, and writings has been an enormous gift in my own life. I’m not sure how many times I’ve preached or taught a lesson, or shared a devotional over the decades, but it is many thousand. My life is richer by the meditation and memorization of His word – much of which I never got to share.
I’m thankful for a congregation mature enough to appreciate – even long for – the word of God to be taught and applied to everyday life, without skipping the most challenging interpretive sections! Last year it was a slow journey through 1 Corinthians; in 2023 it was the book of Revelation; and 2018, Romans. All Scripture is profitable; thank you for your commitment to biblical authority (and for coming back week after week).
Two, is the honor of being with so many of you in your life experiences of accomplishments, sufferings, and spiritual steps of faith. Just last week a woman reminded me, “You baptized me and my brother when we were teenagers; you officiated my wedding; you dedicated our children to the Lord; you were there for our family when my husband left.” Pastoring a church family through all the ups and downs of life is a tremendously emotional privilege. From leading countless memorial services, hundreds of weddings, baptisms, dedications, and hospital visits, I’ve had a front-row seat into the life of a congregation I deeply love. As Calvary has grown over the years, and experienced every joy and sorrow imaginable, God has preserved us with grace and unity. Thank you for your faithfulness in loving God and loving one another – and for working hard to preserve the unity of the body in the bond of peace. You yourselves have been taught by God to love one another; I have loved being your pastor.
Third, has been the joy of moving together in giant steps of faith to fulfill the mission of God for Calvary. A church that doesn’t move forward by faith will shrivel up in spiritual atrophy. You helped us take some huge leaps of faith over the years that were launched by many prayers and much generosity. You joined us in prayer movements that lasted a month, or 100 days, or 130 days! You tried an experiment called the Kingdom Assignments which raised thousands of dollars and led to a renewed emphasis on serving our local communities through ShareFest. You launched our second campus in Erie in 2006, and the third in Thornton in 2020. You helped send many mission teams to the ends of the world to bring the gospel, to plant churches, to provide medical care, clean water and food, and to build churches, schools and seminaries. Whenever we asked you to join in and step out in faith to fulfill the mission God has for us, you prayed with us, you gave generously, and the gospel-centered work of God advanced. Thank you for moving together in steps of faith. Without faith it is impossible to please God.
My most recent joy at Calvary was the exemplary way in which our Elders led us through a stable and healthy succession process in which God – through a unanimous vote of the congregation – called our next Senior Pastor, Thomas Milburn. I am proud to call him my pastor. Lucy and I look forward to supporting the ongoing ministry of Calvary under his leadership. May the love of God our Father, and the grace of the Lord Jesus, and the joy of the Holy Spirit be with us all!
With you on the journey,
Tom
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