Re-living and old truth

It's true: you never really leave a place you love. Part of that place goes with you.
I think we should pay more attention to that life reality.
Today, I went back to preach at Jackson Park UMC in Kannapolis--my first time back since I left there 10 years ago. Wow. Ten years feels like 3 lifetimes. At least. Returning brought a flood of memories, the rich familiarity of long-time friendships, the surprises of seeing how much the children had grown and teenagers -- now young adults--had babies of their own. There were those I cherished who are now physically unable to come, those who have moved out of Kannapolis to be close to their families for care-taking as well as those who are missing from this Homecoming because they have died.
The facility has been improved in a number of places and I was also very, very happy to see so many faces of people I did not know. How sad it would be to return to a church after 10 years and know everybody! As I suspected, the passion of the Carolina fans is just as fervent -- and obnoxious--as it always was. When I write my book about trying to keep the faith while serving churches full of Carolina fans, many of the stories are going to be about the Men's Bible Class at Jackson Park!
It was a great joy to me to hear how DISCIPLE Bible study -- something started while I was there--has both continued and multiplied through the years. The memory of the DISCIPLE classes during my years assured me that these students had become extraordinary teachers and their faithfulness reminds me of the phrase that, thankfully, characterizes United Methodist ministry: the MINISTRY is always bigger than the MINISTER. The altar flowers for worship were given by a prayer partner in honor of a 14 year old's birthday. And I gave thanks for the prayer partner program that began here and that idea which I carried to other settings.
And the gift of friendships--loved ones indelibly stamped on my heart --made this a very rich and emotional day. I never fail to be inspired by the faithfulness that people give to the church--and the people who guide and befriend and support the pastor go with us everywhere we serve. For all its failures (and there are many), the church still has so many people who hang in there with faithfulness and good sense and kindness and good humor. The company of the committed has its frustrations, but it is a rich fellowship, indeed.
And today, being in a place where I have personal history, I feel the ongoing blessing of being a pastor. Thank you, Jackson Park.