According to a number of research sites the average tenure for pastors is approximately four years. When people ask me how long I have been at Calvary my answer is usually followed by the question above. I often say, "Well I didn't plan to stay this long...and I didn't plan to leave." I honestly didn't have a plan! I believed that God led us here and that if He wanted us to leave He would let us know. I have had a quite a few opportunities to go elsewhere and there have been seasons when I really wanted to leave. I've experienced physical, emotional and spiritual trials that tempted me to quit many times. But, all that said, I do have some reasons and since I'm not going to be able to say anything on Sunday I'll say it here. 1) I've stayed because God hasn't moved us. 2) I haven't quit because I can't get over all that Jesus has done for me! 3) I've stayed because I have a supportive, growing, spiritual wife that has prayed, cried, worked, endured and been an amazing "help-meet." Diane is a great blessing to me and to this church family—only Heaven knows. 4) I've stayed because I have never felt alone here. Our Elders and Deacons have always been helpful, supportive, wise and encouraging. They haven't been afraid to tell me when I have been wrong. They have always taken good care of us. 5) I've stayed because this is my favorite church. Seriously! Whenever I go away and preach I always want to come back. Of course what I mean by "church" is not the building, it's you. You are the church and you are God's favorites and mine. 6) I've stayed because I am growing. Most of the changes that have been needed over the past 20 years have been changes in my own heart. In some ways it would have been easier to "cut and run." Had I done that, I would not have faced my own problems of pride, ego, selfishness etc. As someone once said, "A change in geography never corrects a flaw in character." Thanks for being one of the principal agents in my spiritual formation! 7) Finally, I have stayed because of our staff. The paid staff and volunteers here have been a delight to serve with. This "Celebration of Service" is really about us—all of us. We have endeavored to maintain Trinitarian unity and while there have bumps, bruises and even a few casualties along the way I believe that goal is worth clinging to with some tenacity. Jesus prayed for this, let's be an answer to His prayer. I doubt I'll be here another 20 years. While my inner man is being renewed the outer is fading away. There will come a day when I cannot do this any longer or the Lord may simply remove me. This is His church. He is the Great Shepherd. He purchased us with His own blood, He rose from the dead, ascended to Heaven and sent the Holy Spirit to give us abundant life. Let's keep pursuing that life together and continue proclaiming it to as many as will listen. Soli Deo Gloria!