My Most Emotional Day in Ministry

Like any challenging day things start building well in advance.

It was the conversation with my Lead Pastor at the coffee shop. The retreat with the high schoolers that bonded the group. Stories of life change and getting to be part of it. A calling to something new.

I love teenagers, but I am not a life long Student Pastor. My time in student ministry has been incredible and I am so thankful for the experiences and relationships developed, but yesterday that part of my life started to close. But that was only the half of it.

My favorite thing to do in ministry is to baptize someone. Not because it makes them saved, because it celebrates that they have been saved. The holy moment of celebrating life change, death to life, broken to whole, old to restored, that gets me excited.

As it happened I got to baptize 13 people this week, 12 on Sunday. These were friends I’ve done life with, students who I’ve journeyed with, kids with simple clarity, and adults who were finally making a decision.
It.
Was.
Incredible.

But that wasn’t all.

It was announced that Heidy and I would be leaving Genesis Church to plant a new church in Greenwood, In on the south side of Indy. This was the video that followed.

By the end of the service I was numb but so grateful for this community that is behind us.

Rookie Pastor will not turn into a church plant blog, it will remain a resource for young and new church leaders. Of course my perspective will shift but I am still committed to this as a secondary calling.

I’d love for you to check out the blog for the plant, and sign up for our prayer updates.

We know we can’t do this alone and I would love to connect with those of you who know what I am walking into. Comment below, tweet at me, send me an email and lets talk.

October 15, 2012 in Practical with 6 Comments

About Josh: Josh is a Rookie Pastor who works for a local church that he loves. He coordinates local lunch meet-ups with other Rookie Pastors in the Indianapolis area and loves to connect with other Rookie Pastors on and off line. It is his hope that Rookie Pastor will contribute to the health, longevity, and effectiveness of church leaders.

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6 Responses to “My Most Emotional Day in Ministry”

  1. Matt Steen October 15, 2012 at 8:31 pm #

    This is seriously exciting!

    Reply
    • Josh October 16, 2012 at 8:50 am #

      Thanks buddy, it definitely is.

      Reply
  2. Christina Berry October 15, 2012 at 9:26 pm #

    So sad… but so happy for the exciting challenge that lies ahead for you and Heidy! You will be missed more than you know! :)

    Reply
    • Josh October 16, 2012 at 8:50 am #

      We feel the same, very bittersweet to leave a church we love for something this exciting.

      Thanks

      Reply
  3. Chad October 15, 2012 at 9:38 pm #

    Josh, I wish I did know what you’re walking into — I don’t. Yet you have my prayers regardless.

    Reply
    • Josh October 16, 2012 at 8:48 am #

      Thanks Chad, appreciate that so much

      Reply

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