Weekly Update // Pastor Durwood

The Life We Share

 A few weeks ago, during a sermon, I shared many of the “vows” I had taken during my life.

 Here are the moments I think of:

At my confirmation.

At my wedding to Anne. 

At my Ordinations.

At the Baptisms of our 3 children.

At my installation as a District Superintendent.

 We all make promises, but simply thinking through this list has reminded me of the particular importance that each one held for my life, my journey, my calling, and my desire to be about the work God led me towards.

 I have also been mindful of a moment I have no memory of.  I was just a few months old when my parents brought me to the front of the sanctuary and made a vow on my behalf.  The preacher asked them; “Will you nurture Durwood in Christ’s Holy Church, that by your teaching and example he may be guided to accept God’s grace for himself, to profess his faith openly, and to lead a Christian life.” What were they thinking about when they said yes?

 I can honestly say that not all the days of my life have fulfilled theses vows, but that the Prevenient, Justifying, Sanctifying, and Perfecting grace of God have seen me through all my days.

 These moments have percolated in my life as our granddaughter, Lillie, has been attending Confirmation Class in her church.  I, along with a dear friend, led her service of Baptism.  It will be a moving moment to share in the service where she says YES to the Vows her parents responded to at her Baptism and as she takes her next step into the wonderful and mysterious journey of faith.  Asbury has been a rich part of her journey these past few months.  Thank you.

 Do you think about your own journey of faith?  Do you recall when faith first began to find footing in your life?  For those who have affirmed their faith in Jesus, do you often think about the journey to this moment?

 Maybe it’s just me and my life circumstance at the moment, but I do believe our faith grows when we remember the journey we have taken.

I love being one of your pastors.  Pastor Will feels the same way.  We will always count it a blessing and an honor to have served as your pastors.  You have shaped us and empowered us to live out the call of our lives, as well as reminding us to remember our own Baptism as we each live out the journey of life and faith.

 Durwood