8/18/2025

It was 44 years ago that I was ordained to the gospel ministry.  It was 25 years ago that I became pastor of this community of faith.  And you know something?  I’m still trying to figure some of it all out, because after all these years, I still feel so inadequate to God’s calling on my life.

I’ve come to learn that the word “pastor” literally can have the meaning of a “shepherd”.  A pastor/shepherd is to “tend” the flock.  I know—what in the world does that mean?

A Biblical understanding of a pastor/shepherd includes descriptions like:  one who serves, one who guides, one who guards, one who exercises oversight, one who tenderly cares for those whom the Holy Spirit has entrusted to a pastor’s ministry.

Um, that’s a lot—which is why I regularly feel inadequate as a pastor.  But, the good news is that after all these years, I’ve more and more come to be at peace with my personal inadequacy as a pastor, because I’m not the one who changes lives by the power of the Holy Spirit—that’s Jesus’ job.

1 Peter 5:2-3 says:  When you shepherd the flock God has given you, watch over them not because you have to but because you want to.  For this is how God would want it not because you’re being compensated somehow but because you are eager to watch over them.  Don’t lead them as if you were a dictator, but lead your flock by example. (VOICE)

Um, again, that’s a lot—not the part about my “having to”, because I know in my heart that I “want to” be pastor of the amazing Journey Church family because I do deeply love the flock God has given me and seek eagerly to watch over our community of faith.

I’m not so concerned about the whole compensation thing, because I’m quite content to live a relatively simple lifestyle.  I’m not so concerned about the whole dictator thing either, because that’s not my style or desire.  But, the whole leading by example thing, that’s the part I feel inadequate about.  I know how imperfect I am.

So, for the years you’ve allowed me to pastor/shepherd you, thanks for your patience and for your prayers (you do pray for me as pastor, right?—because I need it).

-Michael DuVal