The 2010s will soon be over.
During the last 24 hours I found myself in a couple of conversations that included the fun fact that the 2010s will be ending soon. This evening I read through some of the many remarks in a Twitter thread focusing on what individuals accomplished during this decade.
With heightened awareness that the 2010s will soon be behind us, I started reflecting on my ministry experiences during this time period. I realized that during the last decade I
- Served (and continue to serve) an ecumenical ministry in several roles (currently as Associate Executive Director)
- Served as an interim pastor in three congregations
- Taught world religions to undergraduates (for 8 years!)
- Served as director of education/discipleship in two congregations
- Completed the Adese Fellowship (a social enterprise fellowship)
- Wrote 1,800+ blog posts here at So What Faith
Looking Back / Looking Ahead
If someone asked me in November 2009 to look ahead and to share my vision for what my ministry experiences would be like in the 2010s I likely would have based my answer on my ministry experience up until that time. In the 2000s all of my ministry experience was in a congregational setting.
I imagine I would have answered that I’d continue serving the congregation I was presently serving and perhaps move on to another. I certainly had no plans to become an adjunct professor, no knowledge of the term “social enterprise,” no experience in interim ministry, and no interest in ministry roles outside of a congregational context.
Given this awareness, I won’t try to predict what ministry will look like for me in the 2020s. Instead, I’ll commit to continuing to follow the Way of Jesus and doing my part to help make the world a better place for all people.
So What?
I am thankful for the many opportunities the 2010s provided. The exercise of writing this blog post has inspired me to carve out some time before Advent begins to engage in more in-depth reflection on this season of my life in ministry.
For now:
- I’m grateful to have served alongside so many wonderful people in Southwest Florida and in the Dallas – Fort Worth metropolitan area during the 2010s.
- And, I’m hopeful I will carry the wisdom I’ve gained into the next decade and beyond.