Dear Fellow Hikers,
When I started down my ministry path, I had the opportunity to share my story with quite a few church groups. In those early years, when I was either about to retire or had recently retired from police work, I had a lot of ideas on what - where - when - how… I wanted to accomplish setting up the ministry. What I was doing was fairly novel and we drew a good size audience for my presentations. I also received significant encouragement and support from these groups that was very motivating. The feedback was very positive from a variety of congregations, with a wide range of perspectives. That was about 20 years ago. Although this was a very significant and inspiring time in my career transition, it would be hard for me to give you any specific details of who said what at those gatherings… except for one…
After the presentations there was usually a social time where I could talk one on one with people. At one event a pastor pulled me aside to share some thoughts. He was very positive about the message and encouraging. However, it was clear he had a suggestion that he felt was very important. He told me that if I wanted to be an effective spiritual care provider, providing spiritual direction to people, I needed to tell people directly and specifically where I was taking them. He said that the people I serve expect and need a clear destination and outcome for their faith journey. It was clear that he was referring to one of my comments … “I really have no idea of where I’m going, or where this ministry will end up… only that I was heading out into the world and we’ll see where we end up!
I thanked the pastor for his support and his advice, and thought he made a good point. But as I pondered on what he said (and I truly do a lot of pondering on opinions and suggestions), I thought… but I can’t tell these people where we’re gonna end up… because I really don’t know! But what I do know, is that I’m headed in a good direction, traveling with good people that I know, respect and trust. And I know that God is with me through it all, and even though I don’t always succeed, I’m doing my best to be with God as well.
So, as the title of this letter says, here are a few of my Thoughts on The New Year… We’re gonna keep going in the direction we’ve started. We’ll continue to share adventures and stories that explore, discover, discern and inspire self reflection. Reflection on our Faith Beliefs and our Faith Practices. And as we continue in that direction, I’ll also continue to heed the advice from my early ministry mentors…*
“Our job as police chaplains is to walk with those who are suffering as they travel… through the valley of the shadow of death (Psalm 23)… with no promises to get them out of the valley, but promising to always be with them.” A retired Police Officer and Police Chaplain.
“When creating and telling stories, it’s important that you work hard to distill those stories down to their essence. Because that’s where you get stories that make a difference.” A Marketing and Advertising professional.
“It's not the destination, it's the journey” Often credited to Ralph Waldo Emerson
And a Happy New Year to All!
With Care and Gratitude, Dan
Postscript…
Re: *Quotes… I can’t say that these are direct, literal quotes, but after a couple decades, they are precisely what I remember hearing. Ideas that I routinely repeat to myself as I do my work. (I’ve omitted their names from the letter since I haven’t connected with them to get their permission yet.)
Next Up: “Many Members, But One Body…” (Friday, 01/17/25: S1/L7)