From the Pastor’s Heart by Pastor David Nuottila

[Jesus said] “I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you. For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me.” John 17:6-8
A few days into my recent vacation, I received news of the death of my friend and fellow pastor, Brett Collins. I know that several folks within our church family had known Pastor Brett for quite a while and considered him to be very close. This news saddened many people within our Lutheran Churches, both NALC and ELCA. We have lost a friend who was our pastor, a beloved family man, and a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ.
As some of you may know, each Tuesday morning, Pastor Brett would join me and several other local Lutheran pastors online and we would study the Sunday lessons together. When a question regarding difficulties with the text would arise, Brett would often break the silence and offer this advice, “Just preach the Word, that’s what the people need to hear. Just Preach the Word man.” That is exactly what I had in mind when I preached and led worship at Holy Trinity in Little Mountain the Sunday following Pastor Brett’s death.
The day before I was in Salisbury, N.C. to perform a wedding for a former church youth member. I won’t deny, it was good seeing so many former church family members. I hadn’t seen any of them since taking the call to be St. Jacob’s Pastor. I realized that the old saying is true. Once a pastor, always a pastor. Memories from my two previous congregations found their way to the forefront of my mind as I enjoyed the smiles and hugs from people for whom I was their spiritual leader for six years, and again, I won’t deny that I enjoyed every minute.
The next morning (Sunday), having traveled back from North Carolina the night before, I had to stop
by St. Jacob’s on my way to Holy Trinity. It was good seeing folks who were gathered for worship, but it seemed strange that I was not going to be your preacher that particular morning. Instead, my calling for the day was to be Pastor for my friend’s flock. They were hurting and searching for comfort and encouragement and longed for a Word from God for reassurance.
During the prelude, I was seated behind the pulpit where Pastor Brett would have been sitting. The sensation was surreal. I asked myself, who am I that I should be in this place? Even though I had known Brett for a long time, this was his place, but he is no longer here. God called me to be pastor for them on this particular morning, and again the next Sunday. It was an assignment I was more than willing to accept. After all, once a pastor, always a pastor.
I believe I am writing this message to you as a way of peaceful reflection and response to the loss of a good friend. More than that, I believe I am writing this message to you because, as I sat be-hind the pulpit waiting to worship with a congregation that had just lost its shepherd, I realized just how special you all are to me. In the 17th chapter of John, Jesus says praise to his Father for his disciples saying Father, “I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me.”
Having worshiped with the folks at Holy Trinity, I can say that without a doubt, Pastor Brett Collins gave them the Word God had given to him. They heard it and they know it’s true. Brett taught them well, and he set a fine example for them to follow. Now, in the wake of his sudden and tragic death, I know there will be more silent moments as I study the texts each Tuesday with my fellow pastors. In such times, I will do my best to take the advice of my friend, Brett Collins. “Just preach the Word, that’s what the people want to hear. Just preach the Word man.” May the Word I give to you on
Sunday be the same truth of the Gospel God gives me so that you may hear the truth concerning Jesus Christ.
I’m sorry for the long message, but I believe this month’s article truly reflects the nature of the title of my monthly column. For certainly, memories of my friend and the joy I find in being your pastor is what is on The Pastor’s Heart.
Grace to you and peace,
Pastor David Nuottila