The Church Goes On
What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building. ––1 Corinthians 3:5–9
Dear South Cities Family,
As I roll out just a few more sabbatical reflections, this one is particularly sweet to me. Many folks wondered about our wisdom in staying around South Cities for worship this summer. The wondering was from a heart of love––wanting our family to have a genuine deep breath and break from the vocational role I fill. I appreciated that heart. But, I’m also so glad we mainly stuck around at South Cities. To be clear, I’m not saying that as a rule for all sabbaticals or even as a general principle. I think there are times when it is wise and helpful for pastors to get away to refresh and restart, and if I take another sabbatical that may be exactly what we do.
South Cities Church at Lakeville’s Pan-O-Prog Parade in July
But at this moment in our lives, I’m so glad we stuck around. There are lots of reasons for that, but one of them is that it was so sweet for my heart to see the church just keep on going. Week after week I was helped by singing with the people of God in worship, sitting under the word of God with our church family, and taking communion together. Week by week I was helped, convicted, comforted, and reminded of gospel realities and implications. Outreach happened. Fellowship happened. The body was cared for. Neighbors were reached out to. It was a good summer.
One of the things I wanted to test in my own heart with the sabbatical is if my heart loved to worship God apart from my vocational role and to see how tied into my role I was for my identity. I was so thankful that week after week I found the Holy Spirit causing me to worship and stirring me up to love and good works. I found that I didn’t feel “desperate” (as someone said I might before sabbatical) to preach, but was content to sit under the word.
To be really clear, I’m not saying I wasn’t excited to get back to preaching and pastoring. It’s been a joy to get to share God’s word with you all this Fall. But it was a good reminder for my own soul and for our church, very practically and tangibly, to see that Jesus keeps his promise to build his church––and it’s not based on the availability, personality, or giftings of any one person. I’m thankful to be here and will pour out all God has given me for the good of this people and the glory of his Name as long as he calls me here and confirms that by my helpfulness to all of you.
What a joy it is to partner with the other elders and staff to keep watering and planting. But it has been and will always be God that gives the growth. It’s a sweet thing to know that God is not dependent on any of us to accomplish his purposes but gives us the joyful privilege of being a part of his story of redemption. It makes the Christian life less a duty and burdensome obligation and more a delight and hopeful opportunity.
What a joy it is to see all of you grow in love for God and each other as we seek to make disciples together. What a joy it is to get to serve with you in the greatest cause. What a joy that it is not dependent on me.
Grateful for the church (all of you),
Pastor Dave
