It’s been a minute since I wrote one of these. Actually, it’s been several weeks… maybe even a couple months? Let’s just say it was back when Trump and Elon were still tweeting at each other like it was a WWE promo.
Since then, a lot has happened.
We wrapped up our time in North Carolina. I finished my role there, we packed up our entire house, and we moved to the thumb of Michigan. The move went pretty well, minus the whole tornado warnings in Detroit part. That leg of the drive was a little too action-movie for my taste, but thank God, we made it. Safe, soaked, and slightly shaken.
Now here we are, new town, new season, new position as senior pastor at Snover Heritage Church.
It’s been a roller coaster, but the good kind. The kind where you throw your hands up and scream but still get off the ride grinning. The people here have been amazing. Hungry for the Word. Open. Encouraging. I couldn’t have asked for a better start.
But can I be real with you?
For the past two years, I’ve been doing pulpit supply, filling in here and there. And when you’re guest preaching, you’ve got to bring the heat in one shot. A one-and-done message. Maybe two or three if you’re lucky. So my sermons were short and punchy. Strong, I think, but short. I had one that was literally 15 minutes long. I walked off the stage like, “Wait…that’s it?”
For a while I thought, Maybe I’m just not built for the long game. Am I even a “real” pastor if I can't hit 30 minutes?
Well… fast-forward to now. Last week I preached Acts 1, and it clocked in at 39 minutes. This week, I recorded my sermon for Acts 2 and - drum-roll please - we hit 50 minutes. I told my wife and she gave me the look. You know the one. The “I have our kids with me in service and you want to preach for how long?” look.
So… yes. Adjustments will be made.
But here’s the thing: when you love teaching Scripture, when you’re committed to actually breaking it down and helping people understand it, it’s hard to do that in 20 minutes. There’s so much beauty and depth in the text. Especially Acts 2. I mean, come on - Holy Spirit, tongues of fire, Peter throwing down the Gospel - how do you trim that?
This season has reminded me: expository preaching isn’t fast food. It takes time. It’s messy, deep, layered. And I’m learning to embrace that.
And also… pastors who are weeks ahead in sermon prep? Y’all are superheroes. I’m over here spending 2 full days writing, 1 day designing graphics, making bulletins, building slides, creating worship lyrics…all for one Sunday. One message. One shot. And I love it. But man, if you're 6 weeks ahead, I salute you. You are built different.
So yeah. That’s the update.
We’re unpacked but still unpacking. Settled but still getting settled. Stretching muscles that haven’t been used in a while. Growing into this new calling. Learning as we go. And through all of it—God is faithful.
Thanks for reading. Thanks for being part of the journey.
Until next time,
– Andrew
