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Abandoned by convict father before birth. Relinquished for adoption by young mother at birth. Kicked off Little League team for poor attendance. Willfully attended military reform school. Declined prestigious position on law review. Rejected influential judicial clerkship to instead wander the country. Arrested for reckless conduct and vagrancy. Experimented with controlled substances. Abused alcohol occasionally. Initially deferred for Ordination. Unhealthily obsessed with key lime pie. When taking on a leadership role at a new place, conventional wisdom encourages the newcomer to put their best foot forward by providing their resume, their list of accomplishments, skills and experiences as evidence of their ability to lead. Frequently, the less-than-stellar aspects are omitted or at the very least reframed as challenges overcome or setbacks that became successes. In fact, leading with my failures and most shame-filled experiences may not be making the best first impression. But it has a point. I am Steve Hart, the new pastor of San Marco. And while I do have a resume listing my Ivy-League law school degree, theological studies and pastoral qualifications, I am most importantly a flawed human being whose many failures and missteps are evidence of the forgiving, transformative and inclusive love of God. As your pastor, I truly am honored to walk with you individually and as a community that is working to make disciples of Jesus Christ in San Marco, Jacksonville and the world. It is my prayer and goal that church becomes a place where imperfect and wounded people find refuge and healing within a sanctuary of love, fellowship and forgiveness. It has been said that “God loves us enough to meet us where we are, but God loves us far too much to leave us where God finds us.” Our calling to follow Christ is a call to grow, which can be painful, but with that growth will come the joy that only God’s Holy Spirit can provide. In nudging us to grow, Christ empowers us to serve as what scripture refers to as “ambassadors of reconciliation.” We have the great privilege and duty to share the love of God with everyone we meet. Michael Beck, the Methodist pastor who has developed and promoted many new fresh expressions of church, describes his journey to healing in “Painting With Ashes.” The way he views and describes the role of a pastor resonates with my understanding, “For me, ordering the life of the church is about ordering the church’s life for mission. This includes equipping the laity for ministry, equipping and unleashing them to lead worship, exercise pastoral oversight, and cultivate new Christian communities. Ordering the life of the church is not simply oiling the institutional machinery but joining God’s recovery effort to “seek and save the lost.” (Luke 19:10). While it might seem presumptuous and arrogant to refer to anyone as “lost,” Jesus used these very words. And if I am honest, many, many times, even in my Christian journey, I have felt “lost.” Being lost from time to time is a natural part of our humanity and perhaps an opportunity to remind us of God’s wonderful and mysterious love for all of us. It is in those “lost” times that Jesus reminds us, just as Jesus reminded Paul, that “my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9. For the next few months, I am striving to get to know each of you. I am going to offer some regular office hours, and I encourage you to contact me if you want to meet and talk about any aspect of your life and faith journey. My vow to you is that I will be honest and forthcoming in response to your questions and ideas. I will keep your confidences and I will endeavor to earn your trust. In the meanwhile, if you need anything, I am available by call or text at (321) 368-6800. I look forward to serving you and growing God’s kingdom with you! In Christ’s love,
Steve Hart
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