Please forgive me for a little reminiscing.

Thirty years ago I was ordained into the holy ministry and was installed as the pastor of my first congregation. I distinctly remember how overwhelming the work before me seemed. Even though I knew that I was well trained, I couldn't help but wonder if I was really up to the work to which I had been called. I knew all too well my own sinful heart and my own weakness and deficiencies.

In spite of those fears, three decades of serving in the public ministry have given me the opportunity to see and experience how God's grace can overcome the weaknesses and faults of even the most unworthy servant. He showed that grace every day by reminding me that the ministry did not depend on me or my abilities. He took my own flawed efforts and showed that his grace is all-sufficient and that his strength is made perfect in human weakness. He provided the words to speak when my own tongue-tied words would have failed miserably and my own wisdom fell short. He provided the strength to persevere when Satan attacked me, my family, or the congregations I served. Whenever he asked me to proclaim law and gospel to his people, he first spoke those words to me and reminded this poor miserable sinner of the free and full forgiveness that is mine in Christ.

Those 30 years of ministry provided me with experiences that I will never forget. As a pastor of two congregations, I was privileged to speak words of gospel comfort to God's people in many situations and to bring the comfort and assurance of the sacraments. Every Sunday, he allowed me to stand before his people, armed with his Holy Word, and to say without hesitation, "This is what God says."

For 17 years, my ministry took place at one of our synodical prep schools. There I had the privilege of teaching and encouraging hundreds of future called workers as they prepared for a lifetime of service in the public ministry. There I was able to work with devoted teachers whose highest goal was to equip their students with the skills they would need as pastors and teachers. I had the privilege of working with dedicated people at Martin Luther College and Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary as we made every effort to create a coordinated and unified system of education that would train the next generation of God's called servants.