I know there have been many hours of prayer, study, and thoughtful discussion taking place during this search for a new pastor. I know that the committee has been working hard to listen to and follow God’s leading. To serve on the committee requires one to put aside their own interests in order to spiritually discern what is right and best and God’s true calling for the church. After all, you are seeking the Lord’s guidance and direction on who it is, exactly, that He is calling to be the next pastor of CHURCH NAME. We trust that, through Christ’s leading, the committee has found/will find the right person will come to serve CHURCH NAME as our new pastor.
Pastors and teachers both assume the awesome honor and responsibility of providing adults with deeper insight and understanding of God’s Word. As we both know, this job is satisfying, demanding, and challenging.
Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.
–Proverbs 9:9
Depending on how well you know me or pay attention to my sermons, you might think that my mom/parents brought me up well, or you might think I was raised in a barn. Of course, I’d like to think that you believe the former over the latter!
For what it’s worth, my mom/parents taught me to always send a thank-you note when someone has given a gift to me, whether that was a present with a bow, a check for my birthday, or an act of love and kindness.
“Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”
— Colossians 3:16
For years, you have helped bring the message and wisdom of Christ to our congregation. Through thoughtful planning, you have carried forth the good news of each season through the choir’s songs. Your musical direction has lifted the hearts of our people, inspired them to walk more closely with the Lord, and enhanced our weekly services.
As you probably noticed, the weather is changing, and we are once again approaching that time of year. God has been doing great things this year through his people, right here, in this congregation. It is a great time for meditation. Have you stopped to reflect on how God has worked in your life this year?
The scriptures speak at length of God’s goodness. The Psalmist writes:
For the LORD is good;
his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations. (Ps: 100:5 [ESV])
