It’s 12:19am, Christmas day. After being at the church for twelve hours today, I sit in the stillness of this night, after settling in at home, to write this message. The events, the message, the hope of Christmas Eve worship has taught me a few things. As I write these words across the screen of the computer, I remember and celebrate the last three years in ministry at First United Methodist Church of Gastonia. At the stroke of midnight, I closed the office door, walked to the car one last time, and drove down Franklin Boulevard in front of the church I have had the pleasure of serving.
The first lesson of Christmas Eve: “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” When I was appointed to First Gastonia, I had not applied, nor had I asked to be moved from my current pastorate. I moved in November; not the normal time when pastor’s move in the United Methodist Church. It brought sadness and grief, and just a bit of frustration, to the Belwood Charge. I wasn’t so sure about a tall-steeple, large membership church. I wasn’t so sure about being an associate pastor, and not understanding what all of that entailed. I wasn’t sure how I would be received, or if I would be liked, or if my way of doing ministry even fully fit the mission of First Gastonia. I thought, “country club church.” But I learned so much of God’s movement within and outside the walls of this community of believers. The missions, the giving to missions, the care of the people, the care of the community, the love that abounds within this large church gives it the feel of a small community-based congregation that isn’t about what it can do for itself; rather, what it can do for the glory of God to its community.
The second lesson of Christmas Eve: “Relationship.” Over the past three years it has been so wonderful to form long-lasting friendships with staff and congregation members. From working with Parish Response Ministers, to visiting folks in their homes and nursing facilities, these relationships have been formative to my faith. I have learned so much of God’s entrusting the care of individuals to me when visiting with folks that are in moments of vulnerability. Vulnerability of lying barely clothed in the hospital bed, of sharing the diagnosis that has just come from the doctor, and opening up about what life has been like for them – without the fear of being judged for their story. Last October I filled in during our search for a new Director of Student Ministries. During this 6-month stint, I was blessed by the youth of the church. From sharing with counselors how to make and eat a sandwich the correct way (inside joke) at Valle Crucis, to sleeping on my flat air mattress on top of an air hockey table because there was no more room in the jam-packed space while doing missions in Lake Junaluska. These youth, counselors, and now friends have been a great blessing on hospitality and sharing God’s love through active engagement!
The final, but not the last, lesson of Christmas Eve: “Birth.” First Gastonia has offered me countless areas of new birth. I have become more comfortable with preaching to large congregations, learned how to be a part of a clergy and staff team, been given the opportunity to share my passion for worship design and arts, had the great pleasure of playing alongside the contemporary band, continuing education opportunities, sharing about trips to the Holy Land, mission in Texas, Civil Rights in Georgia and Alabama, pilgrimage in Scotland and England, and visiting the beauty of Christmas found in Germany and Austria. Most importantly, the birth of an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church. This church, its staff, and the pastor supported and encouraged me while writing my papers and sharing my call while in the ordination process in 2018.
The door closed tonight. I prayed one last prayer. I sang one last hymn. I said one last benediction. I took one last picture. I gave one last hug. Because of you all, I am a better person, a better friend, a better preacher, a better pastor. Because of you all, I am being sent to continue your mission you have instilled within me, “To see God in Every Person We Encounter, and to Demonstrate the Love of God and the Teachings of Jesus.” First Gastonia, I may no longer be your Associate Pastor, but I will always be your friend, your supporter, your encourager, and most of all: your brother in Christ.
On this Christmas morning, may God continue to be born in you. In the words of an anthem that called me into pastoral ministry,
Be born in me, be born in me
Trembling heart, somehow I believe that You chose me
I’ll hold you in the beginning, You will hold me in the end
Every moment in the middle, make my heart your Bethlehem
Be born in me[1]
Go, do, and allow Christ to be born in you.
Grace & Peace,
Juston
[1] “Be Born in Me,” Francesca Battistelli. From the album Music Inspired By The Story.
Comments are closed