I was fortunate this morning to have an important visitor in worship. Our Executive Presbyter--the person who is the head of staff for our particular geographical area of churches--was co-presiding at table with me. For those who pastor or worship at larger churches, this would not be an unsual sight. The 450-member church I served as an intern always had two presiders (never me, of course). But for me and for our congregation it was very exciting!

There were many high points of the day. It was fun to see the church through his eyes for brief moments here and there. It was also equally fun to see him through the eyes of the congregation. I usually am in a meeting with other pastors when I am with him, so there is some kind of business-like short-hand that is spoken in that context. But today it was all about hospitality, kindness, generosity, and communion. It didn't hurt that he said some nice things about me to the congregation during his introductory remarks, either. (Now if about half of them were true, I'd be set!)

But it was the other set of hands pouring, the other voice praying, the other arms reaching across the table to give a tray of grape juice to the servers that I will remember most fondly. Those things helped me to remember that we are all in this together, that the gospel is never the responsibility of a few, but the privilege of us all.

Thanks be to God.