• Home
    • Easter Reading Schedule
    • Protocols
    • Ways to Give
  • Prayer Corner
    • Share a Request
    • Memorial Tribute >
      • Edna Kirby
      • Norman Hunter
      • Dennis Brommeland
      • Norris Thompson
      • Irv Wood
      • Ann Vander Kooi
      • Jack Demorest
      • Yde Vander Kooi
      • Ainsley Rose Wollf
      • Dick Mayer
      • David Rusnell
      • Bob McKay
      • Guy Deschatelets
      • Chloe Kroeger
      • Ida Barisoff
      • Gerard Zandee
      • Nick Dikur
  • About Valley
    • Annual Reports >
      • 2020 Annual Report
      • 2019 Annual Report
      • 2018 Annual Report
      • 2017 Annual Report
      • 2016 Annual Report
      • 2015 Annual Report
    • Who We Are
    • What We Believe
    • How We Are Governed >
      • Constitution & Bylaws
    • Where We Are Going
  • Ministries
    • Leadership Team >
      • Nomination Committee
      • Benevolent Ministry
    • Finance and Property >
      • 2020 Budget
      • Current Quarterly Report
      • Guidelines for Use of Building
    • Missions >
      • Missions Guidelines
      • Valley Missions Newsletter
    • Caring and Connecting
    • Christian Education >
      • Library
    • Worship >
      • Heritage House
  • What's Happening
    • Bulletin
    • Links
  • Photos
    • 30th Anniversary
    • Annual Celebration >
      • 2020
      • 2019
      • 2018
      • 2017
      • 2016
      • 2015
      • 2014
      • 2013
      • 2012
      • 2011
      • 2010
    • 25th Anniversary
    • Follow the Duck 2014
    • Follow the Crown 2013
    • Mexico 2013
    • "The Bridge"
    • 20th Anniversary
  • Messages
    • Archived Messages 2021
    • Archived Messages 2020
    • Archived Messages 2019
    • Archived Messages 2018
    • Archived Messages 2017
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
    • Directions
    • Directory >
      • Membership List
      • How To Become A Member
      • Guidelines for Responsible Members
VALLEY CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

They Call Me Pastor

11/24/2018

1 Comment

 
"Thank you, Pastor."  They are words I have heard before, words I have heard often, yet on this occasion I was struck by both a sense of familiarity and strangeness.  That someone from Valley would express gratitude did not surprise me, for there is at Valley a culture of thanksgiving.  Instead, it was the word 'Pastor' that caused me to pause momentarily. 

For most of my adult life I have been called 'Pastor' or more often, 'Pastor Ken'. I suppose I have been addressed this way more frequently that just my given name; so much so, there was a time in my life when I had lost touch with who 'Ken' was / is.  I knew who Pastor Ken was and what he did but somewhere along the line my identity as 'Ken' was lost.

I have since come to realize that my role as Pastor is inseparably intertwined with who I am, with who God has created and called me to be. But, after 30+ years of pastoring I am still gripped at times with a measure of uneasiness when I hear the word 'Pastor' being used with my name.  I wrestle with a sense of unworthiness to be so called, and sometimes feel overwhelmed by the responsibility that comes with pastoring a church today.

To bring the Word of God before our people is an awesome calling, one that brings much joy to me; but there are times when I agonize in preparing to do what I do each Sunday or as a Bible Study leader.  To hold as sacred trust the role as a worship leader, thoughtfully preparing for our times of corporate worship is a task I do not take lightly.  It is a high calling and privilege to come alongside people, often at the worst times of their lives and seek to be a calming presence and source of encouragement and hope; that others have affirmed me in this pastoring role is simply the grace of God at work.  To have a platform as a spiritual leader in our community, to have opportunity to quietly by word and conduct to declare that living a life of faith really is the best possible way for any of us to journey through our days here on earth is another aspect of this pastoral calling that is both a blessing and sacred responsibility.

When I look back on my journey, this pastoring thing was not my idea!  I was working for Dominion Stores with a plan to advance into a managerial role within the company when God intercepted and redirected my path--a fact that I remind Him of often--'remember Lord, this was your idea'!

The Bible says, Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task.  (1 Timothy 3:1)  Although not something I within myself aspired to, my calling as a Pastor is a divinely appointed task; one in which God has gifted and enabled me to pursue through the enabling of His Spirit.  And despite having failed Him and the office of Pastor more times than I would care to admit, this has been for me one of the greatest joys of my life.

I guess I just wanted to say, thank you for the privilege of being called your 'Pastor'.


1 Comment
Karen Macor
12/1/2018 01:27:13 pm

And thank you for being our Pastor. Your responsibilities are great and we appreciate all your efforts. We are also here to encourage and help out when you are feeling overwhelmed.

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Ken Clarke has been the Pastor at Valley since 2007. He lives in the Oliver area 
    with his wife Janice ; they have three adult children, Lisa, Scott & Tiffany (Riley) and Andrea & Jason.

    Categories

    All
    Christian Living
    Christmas
    Church
    Creation
    Easter
    Finishing Well
    Leadership
    Mexico
    Most Viewed
    Nature Of God
    Our Stories
    Parenting
    Prayer
    Relationships
    Worship

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012

4312 Black Sage Road Box 1235 Oliver, BC V0H 1T0 250-498-4829 valleyccc@hotmail.com