We should value, treasure relationships formed across conference over years

Being a pastor has its privileges. I have always felt that sense of privilege most keenly on occasions when, alongside others, I am allowed to enter into some of the most significant experiences of human life—birth, baptism, marriage, illness, death. Even after 32 years of functioning in that role, I can’t take for granted that I am present and sometimes even take a leading role in the midst of times of greatest joy and greatest suffering.
As a young pastor, I could never have projected into the future where ministry would take me in my life’s journey. The 2007 Southwest Texas Annual Conference session filled me on two occasions with a tremendous sense of awe at the privileges I have as a district superintendent.
Never as a young pastor could I have projected that someday I would stand before hundreds of people at the memorial service in Selena Auditorium and be responsible for naming in prayer beloved colleagues who died in the faith in the past year. One colleague had been a co-worker on the staff at Perkins School of Theology. When he had a stroke, I sat with him in worship services to hold the hymnal and guide him through the liturgy. Another colleague had been my district superintendent. Yet another had chaired the team that led the process for my year of probation and during the years that followed became a mentor.
Naming others, like the clergy spouse who was a friend, had no less effect on my emotions. I found I was gripped by a deep sadness at the passing of each one as well as by a sense of awe that I had the brief responsibility on behalf of a community of faith that has been part of my life for 35 years.
On the last day of the annual conference session, I sat on stage for the commissioning and ordination service. I had the privilege of observing while a young man I’ve known since he was in the ninth grade was commissioned as a probationary elder. He was my daughter’s best friend in high school, and our families have enjoyed celebrating together for many years. His story is not too different from mine. He was preparing for a career he thought he was destined to enter when he received a call to ordained ministry and enrolled in seminary. Now he begins his journey in ministry with his first appointment.
We speak of the annual conference as a family or community, and these must seem like strange images to some who think only of the ongoing business of annual conference rather than the relationships. Someday, someone will read my name in the memorial service and perhaps remember some connection to me from the past. My daughter thinks she has a call to ordained ministry. Someday, if she is commissioned, perhaps someone in this circle of relationships will feel a strong connection with her.
These relationships we have with each other through the power of the Holy Spirit are significant and should be valued and treasured. How blessed we really are as clergy and laity of the Southwest Texas Conference to have our common life and shared ministry in Christ!