Pastor's Corner: Farewell

Over the last three years, I have written over 40 articles for the Pastor's Corner about faith, God, Christian living and the church. At the end of the month, I will be moving to a new call. My goal has never been to have everyone agree with me all the time but to share my voice as a "young," single, female pastor. I hope that I may have challenged you to question what you believe about the faith you've inherited in conversation with the present-day context that we live, move and have our being in.

On July 28, 2018, I stood before my colleagues and congregations on the day of my ordination, and vowed, among other things, to "pray for and serve the people with energy, intelligence, imagination and love." It is a promise that is asked of all ministers and lay people who serve as elders and deacons in the Presbyterian Church.

What kind of world do you want to live in? What kind of world do you want for your children, grandchildren, and those who will come after you? What are your best wishes and hopes for the future of the world, our country, the Hi-Line? What do you pray for when you look at everything that is happening today? What are the needs, concerns, sorrows, hopes, dreams and lives of our neighbors?

In the words of Presbyterian Pastor Rev. Jan Edmiston, "ministry requires enormous energy, bountiful curiosity, fertile imagination and abiding love."

Do we have energy for this ministry? If not, we need to ask why? Is it because we are simply in need of a Sabbath, a vacation or a break? Do we have energy for other things – but not for this particular calling? Are we surrounding ourselves with people and habits that will recharge our batteries rather than drain them?

Are we still willing to learn new things? How do you process information - visually, verbally, logically, bodily, musically, interpersonally, introspectively, naturistically? Are we immersing ourselves in diverse voices - conferences, lectures, retreats, books, webinars, podcasts - that enhance our ministry? Or do we believe we know all we need to know?

How imaginative are we in this calling? Can we see the possibilities? Are ideas easily sparked? Are we excited about the potential all around us? Are we sharing the story of God in Scripture and stories of what God is up to in the world and the church now? Or are we asking our leaders to repackage the past rather than to visualize the future?

Do we love these people? Can we see our congregation and our community through the eyes of Jesus to the point that we can love the grumpy ones, the judge-y ones, the mean ones, and even the hateful ones?

God through God's Spirit has gifted us with the ability to learn from our experiences, to adapt to new situations in this beautiful mess of a changing world, understand and handle abstract concepts, and use that knowledge to reach our specific contexts. Perhaps there is nothing more abstract than trying to comprehend that we have an all-powerful, ever-present God who loves us, and claims us, and is for us, no matter what we have done or left undone, no matter what mistakes we've made or hardships we face, no matter how much the world doesn't value the beauty of who God has created us to be.

In the words of Paul in his letter to the Romans, "Love each other like the members of your family. Be the best at showing honor to each other. Don't hesitate to be enthusiastic - be on fire in the Spirit as you serve the Lord! Be happy in your hope, stand your ground when you're in trouble, and devote yourselves to prayer. Contribute to the needs of God's people and welcome strangers into your home" (Romans 12:9–13; CEB).

I will always cherish the experience of my first-call on the Hi-Line. I am grateful for the platform to share my thoughts over the last few years. May the extravagant love of God, the relentless grace of Christ, and the boundless companionship of the Holy Spirit be with you and abide with you this day, and forevermore!

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The Rev. Maggie Lewis

Presbyterian Church of Chinook

First Presbyterian Church, Havre