“When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.” ~ Acts 2:1-2
Not until my thoughts about retiring moved from “something to consider” to “an actual plan” did I realize the Bible includes faith leaders retiring (Numbers 8:23-26).
Yet it’s a good reminder that while pastors come and go,
God’s Holy Spirit is always on the move!
Meaning that throughout the history of God’s people, there’s
always going to be a next generation of leaders who are equipped and prepared
through God’s Spirit that’s always at work.
The same spirit coming as the breath of God that swept over
the waters at the beginning of Creation…
…the same spirit given to His followers as we read in the
above verses…
…when just like that
amazement and astonishment fell on everybody.
And just like that
God’s breath forms and shapes and molds the church’s identity and authority - the
who and the what and the why and the how God calls the church to be.
Where in the Greek that forms our English translation this “church” is “ekklesia;” a gathering of people who were and still are students of the new way of living the life of love that Jesus taught.
There’s nothing about hierarchy or places or buildings or music
or creeds or -- even professional clergy.
And when we take all of that away, the foundation of the
church is a community of committed-Christ-followers.
Where just like that
we sit back in wonder because through God's gift of the Spirit this is an incredibly
awe inspiring story of new life always coming to be…
…with generation after generation of new life that never
stands apart from any of the other generations…
…but is always woven together…
…and while sometimes this comes in in ways that are
predictable…
…and other times surprising…
…it assures us that God is preparing PPC’s next pastor.
So fully confident that God's Spirit is still at work, we stand by to be amazed as we imagine the heartfelt smile on someone face as they feel
blessed to be called as PPC's next pastor.
Together We Serve, Pastor Mike