I turn 41 this weekend and in typical fashion when birthdays come around, I ponder things a bit more than usual. And for me that means, more often than not, ministry things.

I become a Christian in October of 1997 and within six months I felt the “call” to pastoral ministry. Since then I’ve been committed to pursuing it.

First as a certified minister in the Assemblies of God, then as an ordained minister with Next Leadership Association, and now as an Anglican priest with the Communion of Evangelical Episcopal Churches.

On this journey I have had many conversations with the Lord as to why the road he has me on has led me from full-time to part-time to no-time, from being a youth pastor to a church planter to whatever’s next. I confess, I’ve never received an answer to those questions when I ask. Nonetheless, I press on.

I don’t know what’s next.

Where’s it all going?

Will I plant another local church?

Will I one day return to full / part time ministry?

Or will I remain an exterminator into my golden years?

I really don’t know.

However, I know what’s before me… Finish the long and slow road of education I’ve been on, write the book that’s on my heart, and keep serving / building bridges that place me – as an Anglican priest – in differing ministry contexts.

And while I can’t speak for tomorrow, I can say that right now not knowing what’s next… Is perfectly fine, most of the time.

So, as I ramble on all I’m simply saying as you, like me, ponder life questions…

Allow the Spirit to settle your heart,

Find your rest in Christ,

And simply listen for the Father’s voice.

“So then, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today has enough trouble of its own.”
The Gospel of St. Matthew 6:34 NET