The minister at our local church has resigned after nearly 18 years with our local congregation. He has taken a position as Director of our church camp an hour or so east of our community. It was 40 years ago that he first attended the camp for a week and the experience changed his life.

For the past few months, a committee has been working, seeking a suitable replacement. I am not on that committee but I remember a good number of years ago, with a similar experience of the church we were attending. Leaders were working to  obtain a new leader, when the previous pastor was leaving.

At the time, Jim and I were sponsors for the high school youth group. So were Dick and Delores Schnittjer. One particular night was a 'work night' at the church. Delores and I were raking leaves on the south side of the educational unit.

I said to Delores, "Do you think we will like our new minister?" We hadn't heard names, nor knew who he might be.

Her reply, "Dick and I have talked. We have decided we are going to like him!"

Will our new guy be anything like our 'old' one? Probably not! Do we like change, especially after so many years? I doubt it.

But like Delores, my church friend from maybe thirty-plus years ago said, I am going to take her lead.

I have decided I am going to like him!