A milestone?

Michelle and I had coffee with my pastor last night. We talked to him about our direction in ministry, and what appears to be an incongruence (I don't think I've ever used that word in a sentence before) between where the church is going and where God is leading me. It was a loving, non-threatening talk in which I was able to ask for his blessing on a ministry direction that I'll blog more about at a later date. Blessing granted . . . graciously, and in an affirming way.

I feel very good about this. I may have philosophical, theological, and pragmatic differences of opinion with my pastor, but I'm so thankful to have an open and real relationship with him. Over the past 18 months, I've been honest about my ministry vision, and instead of feeling threatened or nervous about my longevity on his staff, he's allowed me to explore and experiment with various streams of thought - even when those weren't in the same direction as his own or the church's. I've heard so many stories about senior pastors who keep their distance from their other staff, and tend to rule them with a results-oriented approach. I'm grateful to say that instead of this, I've been loved and allowed to blow it, and I've been honored by being allowed into his life in important ways.

God has been gracious to me. He has put me in contact with wonderful people who build into my life. I've got my share of rubbish to deal with, certainly, but I'm glad to have these friends. I want to be that kind of person - one who values people enough to build into them things that make them better. I want to be the kind of person who causes others to want to become that kind of person.