Easter.

This is why. The empty tomb is why. Easter is why.

All the heartache. All the tears. All the pain.

When we are lonely. When the task is too big. When our sin is too crippling.

Easter is why.

Marriages that don’t make it. Kids who don’t come back. Friends and family who don’t understand.

Fights lost. Trust broken. Addictions given into.

Easter is why.

Petty conflicts. Short-term friends. Politics.

Being labeled. Ignored. Marginalized.

Easter is why.

Boring meetings. Justifying the budget. Office hours.

Cleaning toilets. Driving church vans. Rough weeks at camp.

Easter is why.

Stress. Anxiety. Fear.

Making ends meet. Raising normal PK’s. Never taking a normal vacation.

Easter is why.

Why do we do this? Because the tomb is empty. Because eternal life starts now. Because it is worth it.

Because of Easter.

As a pastor I can admit that Good Friday is overlooked. Easter is and should be the biggest celebration of the year. I’ve made it pretty clear that I don’t see a lot of value in Christmas services, Easter on the other hand is essential.

But what do you do for Good Friday?

This year we want our community to “take in” Good Friday. For several hours our building will be open for people to come and go for a worship experience.

When they walk into our Auditorium they will be instructed to sit and take in the Scriptures presented on the screen. Scriptures from various translations from Good Friday and the events leading up to it will slowly roll.

The experience can stop here, but individuals will have three distinct options from here.

Communion. Presented in a way that is unique for us and preceded by suggested readings from the Last Supper.

Lectio Divina. I’ve shared before the impact this approach to reading Scripture has impacted me and my ministry and I can’t wait to lead adults into this practice.

Experience the Cross. We have this huge cross we normally set up for Easter, but due to some construction and new space limitations we can’t. Instead we are laying the cross on the ground along with a few other items that will conjure up the crucifixion in people’s minds. I love the idea of thinking through carrying a cross as Jesus did and approaching a familiar object in an unfamiliar position.

However you remember Good Friday today, do. And give those that you lead and those that you love space to take in today. Sunday will come, thankfully it always does.

For some of you Sunday is going to be rough.

I’m praying for the Rookie Pastors:

Whose first Easter preaching, leading worship, teaching kids or whatever else is coming. The anxiety you must be experiencing must be rehabilitating if it isn’t I’m worried about the shock that may await you.

Who are overwhelmed headed into Easter. For every thing you cross off the to-do list two things seem to get added. You’ve got a lot to do and the days are running out.

Who feel as though they are doing ministry alone. The criminally underpaid pastors of the single staffed church and those working on a proverbial island.

Who are still limping from conflict and criticism. The shock of my first exposure to church conflict was enough to make me want to quit ministry or at least hide.

I’m praying for you, but would love to do so specifically.

Friday and Saturday I have some time set aside to pray so give me some guidance.

If you need it send me an email and I will pray for you before Sunday.

josh(at)rookiepastor(dot)com

I used to hate the look and the feeling that came with it.

In a conversation about ministry and my age or experience comes up and I get this look of pity. The kind of look you give a puppy when they stumble trying to keep up. Made me feel inadequate. So I tried harder, I tried to prove myself.

I don’t hate that look anymore and I’m not a Rookie anymore, at least technically.

Been in paid ministry since 2005 and I’m 28 years old with our first child on the way. Worked for two different churches, seen staff hired and fired, dealt with moral failures, led ministries that flourished and struggled, baptized, married, and buried. Still have a lot to learn but I’ve seen some things.

Not a Rookie Pastor by experience but a Rookie Pastor by choice.

If a Rookie Pastor is someone willing to learn, adapt, and change. I’ll be a Rookie.

If a veteran pastor is someone set in their ways, calloused, and cynical. I’ll be a Rookie.

If a Rookie Pastor looks to peers for advice, challenge, and inspiration. I’ll be a Rookie.

If a veteran pastor sees peers as competition. I’ll be a Rookie.

If a Rookie Pastor says with confidence “I don’t know.” I’ll be a Rookie.

If a veteran pastor always has a quick answer. I’ll be a Rookie.

If a Rookie Pastor needs the Holy Spirit to survive. I’ll be a Rookie.

If a veteran pastor uses the Holy Spirit. I’ll be a Rookie.

Sometimes those who know me personally and are part of this community will ask me “What comes after Rookie Pastor?” They ask because I am having a baby. They ask because I’m not fresh out of college. They ask because I’m starting to turn grey.

When they ask I smile and tell them “I’ll always be a Rookie.”

There is no real long-term plan for this. Other than to support and encourage those who need it. Because I need it now, as much as I did when I was 20 and hopefully will when I’m 60.

Let’s embrace the look.

We recently upgraded our website and out Creative Arts Pastor Cameron Sprinkle took the Clover framework and put together what is in my opinion a great website for our church.

The staff bios I think are really strong. Cameron had us all say something fun and something serious about each other member of the staff. This way folks who check out our website first before visiting can learn about the staff without the staff bragging on themselves.

You also get to see the finished product of the Lost reference, that I mentioned in a post from last week.

You can check out the entire site: genesischurch.me