I'm just settling into the role of assistant pastor for 2009 and this is something I really want to work on, to help Dan in his ministry:
I want to work at hard at communicating to the church the importance of communicating with their leading pastor. It is very destructive when you have probems, complaints, disatisfactions and you don't tell your pastor. Instead you worry. And talk to others. And remain unhappy. This gradually wears away on your own service to the church and infects others with discontent. In the end it corrodes trust, understanding and love.
I want to stay 'on message' this year with reminding and reassuring the church that 'the door's always open' for them to speak directly with Dan about their problems and questions.