I wonder what you expect now that I’m here. Are you expecting change? If so, is it good change, or bad? Are you expecting me to be like those who’ve come before me? Would that be good?
There’s one thing I can guarantee you: I will disappoint you. I will disappoint you in many different ways. And for that I can only beg your forgiveness in advance. How will I disappoint you?
I will disappoint you by sinning against you. There will be times when I am rude, do not listen, fail to love you, and more. Like you I am a work in progress – a sinner saved by grace, but still a sinner. So please, be ready to forgive me.
I will disappoint you by what I change, and what I do not. My style will be different. The order of service will change. Where I stand, the length of sermons, the songs I choose will change. Some you might like, but maybe not all. So please, be ready to forgive me.
I will disappoint you by not knowing all the answers. Lives are messy and complicated. You will face challenges I have never faced, and maybe have never thought about. I’m young, inexperienced, and just out of College. So please, be ready to forgive me.
One of my prayers for our church is 1 Peter 4:8 – ‘Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.’
I can promise you, I will try. I will work hard at bringing God’s word, and loving you. I will point you to Christ in suffering and encourage you in evangelism.
Please tell me when I’ve sinned against you or disappointed you. And please, forgive me.