Thoughts On Recent Lousy Decisions Made Not by Me.

Most positive things I've learned about being a Christian and being a member of a church come from the guidance and leadership of my pastor.

The two greatest commandments God gives Christians are:
1. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind.
2. Love your neighbor as yourself.

Pastor Tim has always demonstrated these things to me. Anyone who is a member of KWCAC's English Congregation would know that PT encourages his congregation to seek after an understanding of God's heart through His Word and worshipping Him with your life. But MORE importantly, in my opinion, a pastor leads not by words, but by EXAMPLE. And PT has not only demonstrated his OWN fervent chase after God but he has UNrelentlessly LOVED and SERVED his congregation as himself. Sometimes better than himself. He takes the time to know people and nurture not only their spiritual needs but their physical and emotional ones too. I think that's what God means by loving someone as yourself. You'd take care of all your own needs. And true love, that's doing your best to fulfill those needs in others.

To some people, helping fix someone's computer or hosting five giggling 17 yr old girls' prom night or driving out in the winter to help someone fix a flat tire or handing out kleenexes while someone bawls their eyes out may not be the conventional work of a pastor. But in my opinion-- I only HOPE that there are other pastors who demonstrate the same love Jesus did. Because getting up on a bloody pulpit on Sundays and filling out paper work and doing set visitations? That isn't enough. And that's NOT what Jesus did either.

I hope certain people take the time to remember that Jesus was also less than conventional.

I know I'm not exactly the model Christian, but because of PT, I do understand what living out Christ's love means.

And it is a crying shame that the future generations of students passing through Waterloo won't get to experience God's love and care through him anymore.

I had quite a few more strongly worded and, honestly speaking, angry thoughts to share. But really, it doesn't matter whether or not I think certain decisions were made correctly or handled correctly by whom, etc etc etc. Because what's done is done.

The important thing is to recognize the significance of the past 15 years of ministry my pastor and my friend, has contributed in his service to God and the people of KWCAC.