This Sunday I will celebrate my 18th year as the Pastor of Covenant Community Church. Over that span of time I’ve seen many changes including a change of location; I’ve experienced the coming and going of many different people; have visited untold numbers of folks in hospitals and their homes; preached too many celebrations of life services; baptized a whole lot of folks; lost way too many relatives, friends and loved ones in death; served on regional and denominational boards, while also shepherding Covenant through the triumphs and challenges that most communities of faith experience. In this time where we see increasingly shorter pastoral tenures, I must confess there have been times when I’ve second guessed my remaining Covenant’s Pastor for this length of time.
So why do I do it? Why am I motivated to keep at it? It’s simple. Despite any of the losses, changes and challenges, I love Covenant as much today as ever. I still have an incredible passion for preaching and teaching. And hopeful, that I’m making a difference in our community and the larger community of Birmingham.
Any time I’ve give thought to hanging it up, many of your encouragements at Covenant and a passage of scripture, Galatians 6:9-10 has been my inspiration to “Keep on, Keeping On” as Pastor of Covenant. The referenced scripture simply says: “Let’s not get tired of doing good, because in time we’ll have a harvest if we don’t give up. So then, let’s work for the good of all whenever we have an opportunity, and especially for those in the household of faith.” So, I “Keep On, Keeping On.”
So, I invite you to join us at Covenant this Sunday in observing my Pastoral Anniversary. One of my favorite tenors, Paul Odom will sing one of my favorite songs. My sermon is, “Eighteen Years: And Still Encouraged… To Keep on, Keeping On.” The scriptural basis for it will be Galatians 6:8-10.
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