What I’m Thankful for about My Pastor
Pastor Steve Buchelt planted Northwest Community Church 17 years ago. Then, 6 years ago, the Lord led Northwest Community Church of Crown Point, Indiana to merge with Christ Community Church of Hobart, Indiana. The one new congregation took the name Cornerstone Community Church.
In early August of 2013, Pastor Steve called me and my fellow elder, Jon Becker, inviting us to his home. That Monday morning he shared with us that God was leading him into the hospital chaplaincy. Pastor Steve faithfully preached for our church until this past Sunday, December 29. He entitled his farewell sermon from Philippians 1:3-11, “Thank You, and Carry On!”
As he thanks the Lord for our congregation, on behalf of our congregation, I thank the Lord for Pastor Steve. Here are just a few of the many reasons I am thankful for Pastor Steve Buchelt.
I Am Thankful for My Pastor’s Christlike Humility
Pastor Steve never really wanted me to call him “Pastor Steve.” Titles were not a big deal for him. Steve (it’s still hard for me to call him “Steve” without “Pastor” before his name—and he will always be “Pastor Steve” to me) preferred relationships over titles.
A small, but not insignificant mark of his humility is that every Sunday he parked as far away from the church entrance as possible in our parking lot. In a day and age when some pastors have their own drivers and others have their own special parking space closest to the entrance, Steve’s small choice says a great deal about him. By the way, 99% of the people did not know he parked far away—he did not glory in his humility!
I Am Thankful for My Pastor’s Christlike Family
Steve and Diane Buchelt love each other. They love their three young adult children. Their three young adult children love Steve and Diane.
Can there be any greater testimony for Christ’s glory than that?
Pastor Steve was first and foremost the shepherd for his family. What a tremendous example to us all.
I Am Thankful for My Pastor’s Biblical Preaching
Pastor Steve faithfully preached the Word for 17 years. And, because he is humble, he grew year by year as a preacher. In the 7 years I’ve sat under his ministry, his already sound preaching became even more robust—as he exegeted Scripture verse by verse. I’ll always be grateful for the 18 months we spent in Ephesians. And I’ll always be grateful that Pastor Steve always related Christ’s truth to our lives.
I Am Thankful for My Pastor’s Christian Witness
Steve’s greatest gift, in my opinion, is the gift of evangelism—especially friendship evangelism. As we’re told to do in Colossians 4:2-6, Steve makes the most of every opportunity to be a Christian friend whose life causes non-Christians to ask a reason for the hope they see in Steve. If every Christian at Cornerstone Community Church, myself included, were ambassadors for Christ like Pastor Steve, then our church would have three services and be ready for a building program. More importantly, our church would be seeing 100s come to Christ in NW Indiana.
I Am Thankful for My Pastor’s Friendship
Some pastors are hard to get to know. They are aloof. And, having been a pastor, I understand that no pastor can be best friends with everyone—that’s logically and practically impossible. And I’m not Steve’s best friend. But we are good friends. And I know a number of people who count Steve as their best friend. And no wonder, Steve cares about people; Steve’s fun; Steve’s a friend.
I Am Thankful for My Pastor’s Persistence and Resilience
Being a pastor today is not easy. That’s especially true in a day and age of the mega-church and in the day and age of “church shopping” and “church hopping.”
Steve led many people to Christ. He discipled many people. Then, he saw God call many of them to move across the country.
But Steve never quit. Even now, he is not leaving our church because he is quitting or running away from anything. Pastor Steve is transitioning from the pastoral ministry of Sr. Pastor to the pastoral ministry of hospital chaplain.
Steve remained faithful to our church for 17 years and only left when called to serve elsewhere. He endured hardships that would have ruined lesser men of God.
I Am Thankful for My Pastor’s Healthy Leave-Taking
I’ve seen many a church destroyed by the unhealthy leaving of a pastor. Pastor Steve has transitioned in a mature, healthy, honest way. Even the title of his farewell message speaks to that—his final words of exhortation from God’s Word were for us to carry on. He reminded us that Christ is our Chief Shepherd.
I Am Thankful for My Pastor’s Trust in Christ
Every word I’ve written thus far in my “blog post of thanks” could only be true in the heart of a man who clings to Christ. Steve is on a new adventure. Like Abraham in Genesis 11-12, he’s going not knowing exactly the end of this adventure. However, he knows the One who called Him. And Pastor Steve trusts that One—he trusts his Chief Shepherd.
Thank You and Carry On!
Thank you, Pastor Steve Buchelt. You will always be my pastor and my friend.
Carry on, Pastor Steve Buchelt. You will always be God’s under-shepherd and God’s friend.
Join the Conversation
If you know Pastor Steve Buchelt, what are you thanking God for about Pastor Steve?
If you do not know Pastor Steve, what are you thankful for about your pastor(s)?
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