The End of a Journey

I have walked slowly through Eugene Peterson’s memoir, The Pastor. I have enjoyed the morsels. It has been a feast of steak dinners on a regular basis. When I finished last night I was sad. This part of my journey with Peterson has ended. His life is so rich. I want his mantle in my own life and ministry.

Through my time with Peterson the stories are more familiar than I realized. While I have not read a lot of Peterson’s material, I found familiar territory in this book. Through this book there are some desires I have that I ask of God in my own ministry.

1. Longevity

I want to pastor my church and lead it as long as my Shepherd sees fit. I want to be the bass note that keeps people on rhythm as we seek the Lord together.

2. Location

I pastor a church in a community. I love my community. Last night my wife and I were out in our community supporting a couple of causes. As I talk to people who don’t even go to my church the awareness in my life is this: I still pastor them. I still want to be in their lives so when they need spiritual guidance I can help them along the way.

It is a particular place. It is not Denver, CO or Kansas City, MO. It is Minneapolis, MN. That has meaning. I need to understand that place more and more.

3. Love

I must increase my love for God. I must be a more contemplative pastor. My prayer life and devotional life need to be much deeper so I can love God and show that love to my congregation and community.

I am thank for the guys at Near Emmaus for this treasure of Peterson’s book. It is one thing to admire. It another thing to emulate or imitate. May I imitate.