This is all about gratitude.

Recently, the community I serve held a special recognition service to shower us with appreciation.

Of course, I don’t serve all year for recognition and appreciation. But it is nice to have your body of work recognized and let others love on you a little. After all, who couldn’t occasionally use an encouraging and thankful word to keep their emotional tanks going?!

Our congregants showered us with cards and gifts. Lisa and I recognize that we are blessed to serve a generous congregation.

I want to say thank you. But that’s not good enough. Let me give you many thanks!

1. Thank you for all your hard work on this.

A few people had to go above their required duties to make the day possible, and I am thankful for them. I’ve already told them so too.

2. Thank you for all of the beautiful cards and gifts.

The kind words recorded within touched our hearts. For some of you, the offerings were sacrificial. Your individual thank you card is on the way.

3. Thank you; we couldn’t do what we do without you.

Your character and competency make you a dynamic force for God’s Kingdom. The constant help of every volunteer makes our ministry efforts go so much farther. And our associate (support) pastors and ministry directors are like pure gold.

4. I’m so thankful for everything you bring to the table.

Your Christ-like love and obvious giftedness make you a joy to work with. You keep showing up, and God keeps getting the glory!

5. I’m grateful for your support.

After being endorsed and recommended, the congregation voted 100% to call us to this pastorate in July 2018. Even though the congregation has changed some, the support has not. Sure, we’ve had some transitional seasons and been through some challenges, but God has seen us through. Your continued support and prayers mean the world to us.

6. I’m so glad we’re serving together.

TOgether is how we serve. We’re a team. There’s no “I” in team, and UNiTY has a small “i” in it. I’m thankful for the joint humility that helps us work together as a team.

7. From the bottom of my heart (and Lisa’s, too), thank you!

Some people are serving where they’re tolerated. But it’s so much better to be appreciated. Sometimes, you even celebrate us a little.

This outpost for the Kingdom of Heaven is not yet what it should be. But Jesus has promised to build His Church and we have been called to keep working on His building (Psalm 127:1, Matthew 16:18-19). Let’s love people into the Kingdom of God! Let’s grow Christians in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ! Let’s multiply leaders who follow us as we follow Christ!

GRATEFUL BONUS: Thank you for letting me be myself. I’m not trying to be anything but the best me I can be in Christ. Thank you for that freedom and for not comparing me to your former pastors or the latest red-hot prophetic voice on the scene.