Dear Craig,
This week you begin what I hope and pray will be a long and successful tenure as the pulpit minister for the Central Church of Christ. I think the elders made a great choice. Having grown up at Central, you have a special love for this congregation. I know you also have a love for the Lord and His church. You are a great preacher and teacher of God's word and I look forward to being blessed by your ministry.
I do have a few things I want to share with you about Central that might be important as you begin this new work.
No. 1 — If you use the bathroom down the hall by the church office, you have to jiggle the handle.
No. 2 — Be careful not to pull out your desk drawer with a sudden motion. If you do, the bottom will fall out and everything will spill out onto the floor.
No. 3 — If you decide to rejoin Central's fantasy football league and Jeremy Hinote offers to trade players with you — DON’T DO IT!! I promise you: he knows something you don’t. Personal experience here.
In all seriousness, I think you will find that Central is a very loving and supportive congregation. Having been a member of Central for 18 years, I can tell you that this church has always been there for me. Years ago, during a difficult time in my life, there was always someone texting or calling or knocking on my door to check on me. I don’t think I have ever not felt loved here. My hope and prayer is that you experience the same.
I want to thank you and Kelsy for your willingness to serve the Lord in this capacity. Many do not realize the sacrifices that ministers make in serving the Lord. And I'm not talking about the long hours, bottomless to-do lists, and the weekly grind. I am talking about the special burden that only those who have served in this capacity can understand.
Paul talked about this in 2 Corinthians 11:28-29. He said:
“Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. {29} Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?”
Paul says that he dealt with the “pressure of his concern for all the churches” every single day.
Because you have preached before, I know that you know exactly what he's talking about. The worry over a lost soul. The concern for a brother or sister's wellbeing. The heartbreak when someone falls back into sin. The disappointment you feel when someone walks away from the Lord and His people. As a minister, you will not only be our lead teacher and the one who fills the pulpit each week, but also the one with whom we share our hurts, our frustrations, our dreams, our fears. It's a unique burden to bear, but one I know you understand and have embraced because of your love for the Lord and His people.
Craig, I pray that you and Kelsy stand strong in the Lord and support one another in faith and love. I pray your tenure is long and that we are as much a blessing to you and your family as I know you and your family will be to us.
I'm excited that you are going to become my minister! I look forward to being blessed by your teaching and example.
Brother, God bless and Godspeed.