A year without a church

It’s been one year since I left my position as pastor of a lovely rural congregation to lead The Project F-M, a ministry that delightfully defies easy categorization but could not be called a church. It’s been one year since I’ve preached regularly, presided over the sacraments, led funeral services, visited shut-ins, taught Sunday school, been to the hospital, or responded when someone said “Pastor.” One year.

Pastor friends often ask me, “Do you miss it?” It’s a complicated response.

Do I miss accompanying people in their life’s struggles? A little, but I do that informally now, just without a pastoral title.