Thank you.

That’s what I wanted to say to my pastor. After sitting in my chair Sunday after Sunday over the past year, I’ve been enriched and encouraged by his expository preaching. I have also been impressed with his actions as a leader. Right next to my sermon notes, I found myself making a bullet list of these actions on a blue Post-it. Given his line of work, I know that attacks and criticism come frequently, but I wanted him to know that there is a lot he gets right—and people like me notice.

I love how he openly shares with the congregation about the work God is doing in his heart to strengthen or encourage him, to help in his times of weakness, and to correct him when he loses his way. The stories remind us all that he is human, a fellow traveler on the faith journey. They also communicate two important life lessons for us: that God uses imperfect people and we are all in desperate need of God’s power, love, and grace. So we nod our heads, we laugh, and we ...