The "Reformed" Pastor: My Journey so Far.

Since becoming a Pastor around 22 months ago, I have experienced periods of genuine anxiety, unexpected joy, preventative frustration, and profound transformation. The title "The 'Reformed' Pastor" resonates deeply with me, as it captures not only the change in me as a Pastor but also as a Christian. Looking back, I see the sovereign hand of God guiding me through my own spiritual reformation, which continues to reshape my understanding of who He is, who I am, what His Word says, and how these things influence how I serve Him.

Let me first set the stage. Prior to becoming the Pastor at Hopehall Evangelical Church, I was living in North Wales with my wife, Zoe, and my son, Micah. I was working as an Employability Mentor, supporting unemployed individuals with barriers preventing them from securing jobs. During this time, I came to preach, was interviewed, and was awaiting to hear back from Hopehall with either a job offer or an 'unsuccessful' email. When I received the call inviting me to become the church's Pastor, I accepted. It didn’t take long into the job to start seeing the nuances behind ministry. The role of a Pastor isn't just about preaching; it's far more than that.

Reformation isn't just a historical term; it's an active and living process. During the first couple of months of ministry, I became acutely aware of my weaknesses and found myself increasingly disappointed by how certain things were going—or not going. The occasional reminders of how well other churches were doing, coupled with my own questions of "what should we be doing differently," and meetings upon meetings about ministries, led me to immerse myself in the works of reformers, Puritans, and contemporary reformed thinkers. This deep dive has allowed me to focus more on my role as a Pastor, rather than the perceived successes or failures of ministry.

Over 8 months ago, I faced several ministerial challenges that required constant prayer, reading God's Word, meeting with mature Christians, leadership meetings, and careful discernment to recognize the challenges and find resolutions. These resolutions came, though not without a significant mental toll. However, as a Pastor, I had to keep moving forward. This became possible as I increasingly sought God's presence and comfort through His Word and through prayer. God, through His scriptures, became my rock and solace in times of need, reminding me that He works all things together and is with us.

As I underwent personal and theological reformation, I noticed a parallel transformation within the congregation I serve. My renewed hunger and passion for the gospel being preached and greater openness during worship gatherings seemed to ignite a similar hunger in the hearts of those I serve. Over the last 8 months, we have found ourselves growing as a church—both numerically and, most importantly, spiritually—through baptism, service, discipleship, fellowship, membership, leadership, and our love for one another. Most recently, my preaching has shifted from topical to verse-by-verse expository, and I’ve found that many in the congregation have found this approach helpful, especially as it aids them in navigating their own Bible studies at home.

As I reflect on the last 22 months, I am left in deep awe of God's sovereign hand and plan in the lives of believers and His church. However, I know that my reformation in ministry is not yet complete but is an ongoing journey to serve God. The lessons I have learned—and continue to learn—will continue to shape my approach to ministry and life.