10/26/2020
By Pastor Joe Romeo
A Letter From Joe
"I've officially been at Crossroads for three years and one month. And if the church leadership gurus are right, the honeymoon between pastor and congregation is now over. We can no longer hide who we are. Scary thought for me! This may be as good a time as any to divulge some top secret information to you. Here it is: I have no intention of doing anything differently. Yes, I need to grow in numerous areas as a pastor, but a few things will always be constant.
I will continue to preach. My plan is to continue preaching the Word week after week, reminding us that the whole Bible is about Jesus and the salvation he won for us through his death and resurrection. He will conform us into his image and bring us all safely home to heaven.
I will continue to pray. Admittedly, I fumble my way through prayer, wishing my supplications and praises were more coherent and elegant. But I remind myself that God knows my heart and his Spirit intercedes for us according to his will (Rom. 8:26–27). I frequently return to John Newton’s words: “Thou art coming to a King/large petitions with thee bring/for His grace and pow’r are such, none can ever ask too much.”
I will continue to listen. Books on pastoral ministry typically paint an unrealistic picture of what the daily work of a pastor is like. I’m not a “catalytic agent of change” (words actually taken from a pastor’s job description I read years ago) or a visionary anything. I’m an ordinary pastor who does ordinary things. That said, I can meander through life with you. I will listen to you and hear what’s going on in your life and promise to pray for you. I guess what I’m saying is: I will be a friend.
I’m not looking to foist my visionary dreams on the church. Truth be told, I have no vision other than what I’m currently writing in this letter. '
From my heart,
Pastor Joe
