May has always been a favorite month of mine. There is something about the full-on arrival of spring that, unlike April, one can trust not to have days of cold, wintery reversion. As a kid, May would mark the end of school and the beginning of summer. May always harkens me back to anniversaries of meaningful mileposts. I graduated college and was ordained on a first day of May. So was the day Lisa and I bought our first new car together. It was Derby Day in Louisville and no one else seemed to be shopping for one; so, as I recall we got a particularly good deal. Princeton conferred a doctorate upon me on May sixth of ‘06. In ’17 later we were made grandparents for the third time on the 17th. May always feels good.
For me, “May” is also a favorite word. Being an optimist and forward thinker – as opposed to a pessimist looking back – I like to think about what “may” happen. What is possible. What, with imagination, intent, and clear focus, what could be. Things that with a little good luck and a strong tailwind might conceivably come to pass.
As a pastor, I am called to look in a lot of directions. I look back to understand our heritage and the immutable truths of God. I live in the moment, especially in the sacred times when I walk with you through life’s special moments; from the dedication of a baby, baptism of a new Christian, to the committal of a seasoned saint. Those sacred occasions give me the most joy. But as your leader, I also look forward. I am called to envision a promised land that we can walk towards and into together. To clearly communicate that vision and what that both offers and demands of us.
To that end, this May is the month I will roll out “Seven Things Your Pastor Asks of You.” It is both a personal and a collective ask. These seven things are not the whole of what will make our best congregational self, but it breaks some things down into doable doses that, if we all did our best, could dramatically transform our church culture. These seven requests will have as much to do with who we are as what we do. But once we are clear on that, and resist the ways that can easily beset us, we will be better poised to boldly move forward to be just the kingdom-minded force that God intends for us to be.
Look and listen out for the seven things your pastor is asking of you. Consider them. Commit to them. Commend them.
MAY IT BE SO.
Dr. Glen Money
Senior Pastor