What have I learned in ten years of being a Pastor?

12. They were right about that “Be the Non-Anxious Presence” from all of the discussions in CPE
11. Expect the Unexpected
10. Council Meetings are not THAT bad
9. I love doing weddings
8. Funeral sermons are the easiest to preach – everyone wants to hear what you have to say about the resurrection at a funeral
7. Good Church Office Administrators and Secretaries are worth their weight in gold
6. People do really care about the bulletins — yes, maybe way TOO much — but they do care
5. No issue is too small or too trivial to be complained about
4. G*d will laugh when you tell G*d your plans for the day, month, year — G*d really is in charge of all plans and schedules
3. Babies are better held by the parents than by the pastor at Baptisms
2. Spouses, partners and family members are truly “partners in ministry” as much as anyone else in the church — and my wife is my best friend, colleague and support — and my family members are a blessing

And the top thing I have learned after ten years of being a pastor…..

1. G*d is good all the time, and all the time G*d is good 🙂