Thursday, September 06, 2007

Thoughts on 20 Years

On my calendar from Sept. 1, 1987, there were two words written: “Start Work.” I was a new college graduate, and I had just received my first call, to Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Maple Grove. I had grown up in South Minneapolis and had gone to high school in Edina. I didn’t even really know where Maple Grove was. In fact, when I drove out for a first interview, and turned west on Bass Lake Road from 494, I drove past farms and barns. I thought to myself “a rural call?”

Twenty years ago, I never expected that I’d still be at Lord of Life today;
I never expected that the congregation would have experienced the incredible growth we have undergone;
In 1987 I believed that someday I might become a pastor, (I went on to change my mind about that…twice…) but I never expected that I would be serving here, in the place I started;
I never expected that Lord of Life would relocate to our current facility. That’s so uncommon in the church;
I never expected to get to work with the gifted and tremendous people who are my colleagues. Lord of Life is blessed with an incredible staff.
I never expected all of the amazing things God would do in this place, with this community. Pastor Peter has said that in the last 25 years, his tenure, it’s like he has really served in 5 or 6 different congregations. A 1000 member church, a 2000 member church, and so on… He’s right. To say that the one constant in my 20 years has been “change” is incomplete. It has been 20 years of growth. We are a wider church: we have experienced over 350% growth since I’ve been here. We are also a deeper church: As a community, I believe we have a deeper understanding and appreciation of God’s love and grace.

Mostly, I never expected that I would grow to love the people of Lord of Life and of Maple Grove so deeply. That is why I am still here. I believe God has called me to this place and I love the community here. You have been a gift from God to me and my family. And I am grateful.

Where will I be in 2027? I have no idea. I’ve given up having expectations. I’ve learned to ride the wind of the Holy Spirit. I do know this: Wherever we go and whatever we do, God will go with us. We are not alone. And God will continue to bless Lord of Life. We will continue to grow both wider and deeper. Not because of anything we do, but because God blesses this community with His Spirit, and God calls our ministry to grow.

Keep dreaming dreams of what God may do here!

Peace,

Pastor Todd.

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