When I got home from church on Easter Sunday I changed my clothes, sat down on the couch, inhaled deeply and let out a big sigh. Seven services later Holy Week 2017 was in the books. It’s the most glorious week of the year, recounting the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of our Savior. But it’s also one of the most fatiguing for church workers.

A deep, heavy sigh sometimes feels great. It brings a cleansing to our lungs and certain relaxation to our bodies. Whenever I exercise, get my heart rate up, and do some heavy cardiovascular work, I find myself breathing a heavy sigh when I’m all finished. It’s my body replenishing the oxygen that it needs and that our God gives in abundant supply.

Isn’t it interesting that the Sunday after Easter we hear the Bible reading of Jesus breathing on the disciples? This isn’t just a post-Easter sigh because He’s tired and in need of some rest. This is the very breath of the Holy Spirit, the Ruach, the Pneuma of God. It is the Lord Himself replenishing His disciples with the strength and faith they need to carry on. This is Jesus giving His disciples the gifts to be His shining lights in a very dark world.

We can take two things away from all this post-Easter breathing:

1. Physically: Take the time to breathe. When you are stressed take a deep, cleansing breath and notice your stress float away. Breathe deeply as you regularly work out and keep your body and lungs in shape. Be sure to take your own “Sabbath Day” each week to get an entire day’s worth of “breathing deeply.”
2. Spiritually: A physical deep breath just isn’t enough. We need the breath of the Spirit to wash over us consistently and fully. When we are fatigued in body, soul, and spirit, the Holy Spirit comes to us in His perfect Word and glorious Sacraments to breathe the very breath of God into our existence. Take advantage of that breath by being consistently in the Word and receiving the gift of His Holy Supper.

In this post-Easter time breathe in the goodness of God and find rest in Him. He is your breath. He is your strength.

When and where are you breathing in the Spirit?

When I first started my vocation as a pastor I was struck by the “churchmen” (and women). There were certain people who were leaders, supporters, and faithful church-goers. Though they held other vocations, they always had the best interests of their church at heart. They gave of their time. They knew how to tithe. And their leadership was second to none. Somehow, somewhere along the line they learned how to be a good church member.

But over the years it seemed as though outstanding “churchmen” and “churchwomen” were more and more difficult to find. Understandably, modern technology and life began to crowd in on people. Today’s world is much more complex and more difficult to make the kind of time commitment it takes to dedicate to life outside of family and work. But thankfully, some still do.

I began thinking about this because of my friend Mike. Not only is Mike a friend, but he happens to be the president of our congregation, a musician, a volunteer, and a guy who does whatever it takes to enhance and promote the ministry of Ascension Lutheran Church. Today, the day of the Super Bowl, Mike had to fly to Atlanta on business. He headed to the airport right after church. When he got to Atlanta I got this text:

Finally settled in at the hotel. I just wanted to say that you had another amazing message! Thanks for your ministry. It is such a blessing.

I don’t share this with you because of the compliment he gave to me. I share this with you because it’s another example that Mike is simply a good church member — a “churchman” if you will. Here’s why:

1. Mike is positive about our church. As President of the congregation Mike writes an article for our weekly email. For three years now, nearly every week, he has written something positive about our church and its people.  
2. Mike attends church regularly. The only time he misses is when he’s sick or out of town. Want to find Mike on a Sunday morning. He’ll be at Ascension Lutheran Church in Casselberry, Florida.
3. Mike is a leader who develops leaders. Over the years Mike has served in various capacities as a leader in the church. Over the past five years I have watched him tap and develop leaders in very savvy and hospitable ways.
4. Mike goes above and beyond for the sake of our church. Even though he’s already volunteering and serving on our Church Council, he still takes the time to be part of our contemporary worship team, as a leader of a team that gets people together to play cards, and as a volunteer for community events that we present.
5. Mike’s life is centered around the church. Just this week he came by during his lunch hour to meet someone who needed his help.

Want to be a good church member? Want to really help your pastor? Say positive things about your church to others. Attend worship every single week. If you are asked to serve as a leader, say yes. Then help develop others to be leaders, as well. Give whatever time you can (within reason) to benefit your congregation. Finally, encourage others to do the same.

What do you think it takes to make a good church member? 

I finally had the opportunity to do something I’ve never done before. When our children were babies I didn’t get to baptize them. I was still a seminarian. So our pastor baptized them both. But today I was privileged and blessed to baptize a member of our family. I baptized Crosby Benjamin, our grandson.

Here’s what I believe about baptism:

• It doesn’t matter if Grandpa does it. Baptism has nothing to do with sentimentalities. It has everything to do with God’s work through water and His own Word. You don’t need water from the Jordan River or a relative performing the act. All you need is water right out of the tap and the words that Jesus told us to use: “In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
• There are two parts to it. And far too many people forget the second part. Jesus said that disciples are made by baptizing and teaching (see Matthew 28:18-20). That means parents don’t just bring a child to baptism and forget about faith from that time forward. No, parents have their child baptized and then see to it that the very same child is raised in the faith by regular worship attendance, going to Sunday School, and prayer and devotions at home. A disciple is made when there is both baptism and teaching everything Jesus has entrusted to us.
• It delivers forgiveness of sins, creates faith, and begins eternal life. That’s because we are baptized into the death and resurrection of Jesus. “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into his death. We were buried, therefore, with him through baptism into death, in order that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life” (Romans 6). And as the apostle Peter said in Acts 2: “The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

These are the reasons why it was a blessing for me to do Crosby’s baptism. I was a first-hand witness to a miracle of God. He did the work. I was simply His instrument in delivering the goods. I do have to admit that my voice quivered a little bit. But I held it together.

When was the last time you were a first-hand witness to a miracle?

This weekend the wonderful people at Ascension Lutheran Church will be celebrating my 25 years of ministry as a pastor. These 25 years have been quite a ride with ups, downs, hills, valleys, and every other cliche that has to do with the good and the bad. It’s hard for me to believe that for nearly half of my life I have been a pastor. As I think back to my days at the seminary I recognize just how naive I was to it all. My classmates and I had eager and shining eyes when we graduated on the warm may evening in 1991.

As I both reflect and look ahead, I recognize at least five things I wish I’d known as my young wife and our infant children headed off to rural, western North Carolina.

1. Sometimes the well runs dry. I like to say that Sundays keep coming. There’s one of them every week. That means there’s always a sermon, liturgy, and/or Bible class to prepare. Every. Single. Week. It means there might be seasons when creativity and drive take a dive. But you have to push through. At times like those it’s best to receive inspiration from others. Sometimes being around other pastors, doing reading outside of theology, and simply taking a walk are what it takes to get things moving again. Don’t be afraid to experiment with things that might work for you.
2. Nothing should surprise you about anyone. I’ve heard it all. Sometimes people tell me things about themselves that they are afraid or embarrassed to tell. They really shouldn’t be. I’ve come to the recognition and realization that we are all poor miserable sinners in need of the forgiveness that Jesus won for us on the cross. Nothing that anyone ever says to me could surprise me. I need God’s forgiveness as badly as anyone else. Because I know what that forgiveness means to me, I’m always happy to be the vessel who delivers it to those who need it most.
3. Be ready to offer all the personal forgiveness you can muster. People can be mean and hurtful. The ones who are mean and hurtful are usually struggling with their own personal difficulties and struggles. Though the things people say and do to a pastor can sometimes be nearly debilitating, the best thing to do is to recognize “hurt people hurt,” and to respond with (sincere) love and forgiveness. It’s easier said than done, but do it.
4. After God, your family comes first. There were times early in my ministry when I did things that unnecessarily took away time from my family. It took me a while to learn that though the congregation is important, my family is more important. When everything is said and done the congregation won’t always be there. Your family always will be. They deserve not just “quality time,” but quantity of time.
5. There will always be someone to support you. Over the years I’ve had my share of “different” ideas and have made bad decisions. There have been times when I have not always put forth the best effort. Sometimes mean people (see #3) have taken over my thoughts and have ruined days. But without fail I have always had people who have supported me, my ministry, and my family. They have prayed for me and told me they were. People have surprised us with far too generous gifts and have written the kindest notes. I’m certain that the Lord sees to it that though we live and serve amongst sinful people we are given the gift of those who have our back. It’s comforting to know.

Though I can’t go back and re-live these past 25 years, I take comfort in the fact that there have been many lessons learned. I hope that I can share those lessons with others. And I pray that I will continue to learn important lessons as my ministry continues.

What are some of the things you wish you would have known as you began your career?

This year marks the twenty-fourth time I will have had the opportunity as a pastor to lead a congregation through Holy Week. Over the course of those years I led a service that began in the midst of a cemetery in the foothills of North Carolina. I participated in an Easter Vigil in suburban Washington, D.C. that watched the clock turn past midnight on Easter morning. I paraded with a Paschal Candle down a central city, urban street in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

The weeks and days leading up to Holy Week are taxing on the life of a pastor. But Holy Week itself is an opportunity to walk through and reenact the most holy days of history. The week begins with Jesus’ triumphal entry in to Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. It continues with Maundy Thursday as Jesus washes the feet of His disciples and institutes His Holy Supper. We then follow Him through prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, trial before Pontius Pilate, and crucifixion on Good Friday’s cross. On Saturday we wait and watch at the tomb. Then Sunday surprises with the most joyful mystery of all mysteries: Jesus’ resurrection from the dead.

Holy Week isn’t just for pastors. It’s for everyone. Missing even part of it is to miss the fullness of the story and the overwhelming grace that floods through it.

Here are five things to do as you get ready for Holy Week:

1. Reflect. As we enter this week we will be focusing on the greatest sacrifice the world has ever known. The sinless Son of God willingly goes to the cross to suffer the punishment for all of sinful humanity. Use this weekend to reflect on your own sin and need of a Savior. Reflect on the incredible love poured out for you by the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Reflect on the kind of love it takes to forgive such sinners. Reflect on the way your life has been changed by a forgiving God.
2. Pray. In the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus prayed so hard and so fervently that drops as of blood dripped from His forehead. He asked His heavenly Father to deliver Him from the pain and suffering He was about to face. Yet in the end He prayed, “Thy will be done.” That simple four-word prayer is worth praying this weekend as you prepare for Holy Week. Ask God to do His will in your life as you hear once again the account of all it took to win your salvation.
3. Participate. Make plans to participate in all of the Holy Week services where you live: Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil, and Easter Sunday. You can’t have one without the other. It takes them all to tell the whole story. And each worship service has something unique to give to you as an individual. If you’ve never done it before, give it a try and see just how enriching it is.
4. Listen. As you prepare for Holy Week make sure you head into it with a commitment to listen. Listen carefully to the cries of the crowd on Palm Sunday. Listen thoroughly to Jesus’ words as He speaks to His disciples in the Upper Room instituting His Supper. Listen intently to Jesus’ seven “words” from the cross. Listen at the Easter Vigil to the history of the world’s salvation and the history of your own salvation. Listen with wide open ears as “alleluias” come shouting out of the empty tomb.
5. Rejoice. Much of Holy Week is sad, reflective, and somber. But beneath it all is a spirit of rejoicing: rejoicing in all that it took to procure forgiveness; rejoicing in all that it took to pour out grace; rejoicing in all that it took to wash away sin and deliver the gift of eternal life. It’s OK to hold it back just a bit until Easter Sunday. But on that Day don’t hold back one bit. Let the shouts of joy ring out.

One side note: If you’ve never participated in an Easter Vigil do your best to seek one out this year. The service contains four parts: The Service of Light, The Service of the Word, The Service of Holy Baptism, and the Service of Holy Communion. It is the very center of the Church Year Cycle. It is an experience that takes you from darkness to light and death to life. Give it a try. You will be blessed.

How will you observe Holy Week this year?