¹⁶ But thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same earnest care I have for you. ¹⁷ For he not only accepted our appeal, but being himself very earnest he is going to you of his own accord.-2 Corinthians 8:16-17

One of the most common facts of churches in this day and age is that new people are coming in all the time. Rarer and rarer is the little church that is able to walk with people from cradle to grave. Quite frequently we find that we only have people in short seasons, little chunks of their journey, and fleeting days.

This is all the more apparent for our various ministry leaders and pastors in our churches. The pastor that was there when you founded the church is likely not the one that will be there to lay you to rest. The pastor you learned to love on Sunday is quite likely not the one who will bring you communion as it becomes harder and harder to regularly attend church. There is a fleeting intersection between all our lives that makes the crossing of our paths often too short.

Hope has endured many transitions in a short time. Pastors, DCEs, members who were the bedrock of the church have been called elsewhere or simply called home. There is naturally grief, anxiety, and fear at what will come next. There is also great passion, love, and exuberance for the welfare of this church, to be able to build further on what has come. All of it is a bit messy and challenging because it is all so often felt all at once.

Paul’s words about Titus prove an important point that should give us comfort: that God is responsible for creating a continuity of care and love that he places in the hearts of those he calls to serve. It’s a little miracle that we take for granted, but God literally places in the hearts of his ministers the love they need for His people. Though the face may be new and the long years of relationship yet to be established, God is nevertheless faithful to provide the sincere commitment of love that is poured out through His Holy Spirit.

What is comforting as well is that Hope’s faithful witness is one of acceptance with open arms. Every person called to this church can speak with one voice in this way: we were wanted, loved, and given fresh opportunity to speak, to teach, to live and serve among you. You have done so exceedingly well in this aspect I personally cannot help but boast about you to other people.

New people will come. New leaders, new members, and with them, new needs and new challenges. My prayer for Hope is that when those people arrive, we are ready, open, gracious, hospitable, and standing with arms outstretched, fully confident that God has put in them the earnest care we need.

Waiting with open arms with you,

Pastor Devin