So it's finally happened: I am official. I have been ordained and installed as the permanent pastor of Kiowa Creek Community Church (KCCC). I want to thank everyone who attended my installation service and contributed to the celebration that followed. As I was preparing for my ordination service, I took the time to reflect a bit on my protracted journey here. Some of you already know some of the details of my story, but many of you do not. As most of you know, I served as pulpit supply here for about ten months in 2002. At the time, I was the Director of Shelter on the Hill in Denver and had begun the ordination process with the Denver Presbytery. Although I felt drawn to KCCC, I knew that it was not to be: I was too early in the ordination process and the timing was just not right. I remember leaving, thinking that although it was not beyond the power of God to bring me back here, it was not very likely. I was a year or more away from being ready to circulate my resume, KCCC's Pastoral Nominating Committee was busy looking for a permanent pastor and, after all, how long could that take?
Well, you know the rest of the story. Both this church and I went through difficult times of growth as we tried to find our way along the paths set before us. I was aware that your path was not turning out short and straight, and neither was mine. For me, a process designed to take as little as two years had doubled to four. It was frustrating at times, but necessary. In this process, I have learned that, when it comes to preparation, God will not be rushed. If God was willing to work with the nation of Israel for 400 years while they were in Egypt or for 40 years while they were in the wilderness, I suppose I should not complain if it takes me four years to work my way through the Presbyterian system.
So here we are. I know that, in the last few years, I have grown alot. God slowed my process, because I needed to grow spiritually and emotionally before I was ready to begin life as a pastor. I suspect that God used these last two years to bring growth to Kiowa Creek Community Church as well, and now you are better prepared to be the congregation you are intended to be. So the journey begins. It promises to be a long and exciting one.
