A Word from Pastor Nathan

When we prepared for Consecration Day in 2018, I was not sure what to expect. My mind was going in too many directions. Truthfully, I was nervous. Having never led a congregation through a stewardship season, I questioned if I had the skills necessary for the task.

What I learned on that late November Sunday in 2018 was that you, dear church, were committed to the work, even though your pastor was a green novice. You brought forth the first fruits of your labor. As a result of your pledges, we created a bold and daring budget that fueled our ministries even as it included a deficit of more than $12,000. Because of your generous stewardship and cost-effective spending from committees, we ended the year with an unexpected surplus. Though it seems like forever ago, the Board met for a called meeting in early January 2020 to approve the new year’s budget. With plastic cups filled with sparkling grape juice and a delicious cake made by Debbie Walker, we cheered the faithfulness of God and the disciples of Washington Avenue Christian Church.

No one could have prepared us for 2020. Even after the virus arrived in Lorain County, I didn’t think we’d be in a suspended state for more than a few weeks. We flew by the seat of our pants through the remainder of Lent, Easter, and Pentecost. Now, we knowingly plan for not being able to gather for a few more months. Consecration Day, Advent, and Christmas will be virtual. The same fears from 2018 revisited me once again. Having never led a congregation through a stewardship season in the context of a global pandemic, I questioned if I possessed the required skills to lead, but this way of thinking isn’t helpful or faithful because it draws the circle small and smaller still until it leaves room only for oneself.

When the Stewardship Committee dreamed and schemed to “Draw the Circle Wide and Draw it Wider Still,” incredible things started to happen! Megan Rowe painted the beautiful artwork, and members voiced how they are actively practicing stewardship, and will continue to do so, even as the future is uncertain and unknown. To tell you the truth, I listen to your stories on repeat because you inspire me to be a more faithful pastor. You always have.

As we prepare to say good-bye to this consequential year, let us be brave and courageous as we seek to draw the circle wide and draw it wider still in 2021.