Rev. Richard D. Harris, M.Div, Pastor
In 1975 I began my journey in the pastorate. I had just finished my M.Div degree (Master of Divinity), and was so very anxious to get started on my life’s goal of ministering the Word of God to His people. I entered into the task of study and prayer as I prepared each sermon. I remember, in those early days, the tension that I felt in sharing God’s most Holy Word, in light of my inadequacies and youth. I was 26 years old when I began this journey. I will always remember, from the very moment I first entered the pulpit, that sense of awe and responsibility. I remember the anxiety of wondering if what I was about to say would be accurate to the Scripture, and if I would communicate the Truth in an understandable way so my hearers would hear from God.
In the process of time, to this very day (34 years later), I feel the very same sense of anxiety as I open the Word. But since those early days I have learned that I need not fear. As I studied and let the Word permeate my soul, the Holy Spirit would take my stammering words and move, by His mighty power, to communicate what He wanted His people to hear at any one time.
It is an awesome thing to be “entrusted with the Gospel.” I am convinced that those of us who preach and teach the Word, if we are sensitive to His working in our lives, will become more humble with each passing sermon. The irony of this (paradox, if you will), is that one would think that with the passage of time, preaching would become easier and less stressful, and that we would be more confident; instead, the preacher realizes with each passing sermon he is more in need of the Savior’s help then he thought the day before. This is a humbling experience, and one that I think is universal to honest preachers.
So, I begin another journey… putting thoughts down (for all to see) that hopefully will bring some light to bear on the Holy Scriptures, through the medium of the Internet (blogging in particular.) (None of us 60+ yr old pastors would have ever imagined such a thing 30 years ago!) What an exciting adventure! My prayer is that this will provide a vehicle for some of my perspectives on the Word, that will, by God’s Grace, be used to encourage and bless His people.
May Jesus Christ be Praised!
