Thanks to my parents, the Church has been essential to my life. But I have only sometimes been active in it.
When I first arrived at First UMC Fort Worth, TX. and I was assigned the tasks to perform as an associate pastor; I was given a few words that I will never forget, and I take them with me. “Don’t be afraid to fail.” and “We want you to succeed.”
After what I considered a very favorable time in my first appointment from 2001-2003, I was very concerned about what would happen to the congregation I was leaving.
Joshua was perhaps on the floor, disoriented, stressed and without strength, dealing with fear, and feeling incapable of performing the task he had been given.