One Week Away
We are in the final moments before the first notes build into the melody.
Small Beginnings
We are officially in the last week before training begins. At the end of this week we will know who is planting with us and schedule our first gathering to begin the work together for the upcoming church plant. If you haven’t reached out yet, please do so that we can meet and discuss the prospect of joining the planting team.
A year ago the road ahead was full of questions. Now as we stand at the precipice, the road ahead is full of questions. Who’s coming with? What if we have a small group? What if, what if, what if. I feel a strong sense of obligation to have answers, however I’m trying to remember that I’m just a humble servant, God alone has all the answers. So I’ve dedicated myself to the work in front of me and let God sort the rest out. In the midst of all of this I have had a single repeated prayer:
“God, do whatever brings you the most glory.”
I can’t presume to know what that is. All I can do, and all I’ll ask the planting team to do is trust Him and be faithful to the work in front of us. Two years ago I never thought I’d be planting a church. I can’t wait to see what God does that I never even considered two years from now.
These last few months as we’ve worked hard to conduct interest meetings, meet with individuals and churches, and read read read, I keep coming back to a moment in biblical history that reveals the God I serve.
“The Lord said to Gideon, “The people with you are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hand, lest Israel boast over me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me.’” - Judges 7:2
God’s treatment of the conflict between Gideon and the Midianites is remarkable. After gathering an army, God decides that the army Gideon has is too big (yes, too big) to take on the Midianites. The reason for this is because God will not allow Gideon or his men to glory in their victory as if it were delivered by their hand. God wanted, and deserved, all the glory.
Now I’m not Gideon and I have not received any dreams or interpretations to blow trumpets in the local park and smash pottery. If I had, it would be in everyone’s best interest to have me committed. However, there are three things I have taken to heart from this account in this season. First, the Lord works in and through the small things. The second is, the victory is the Lord’s. Third, the glory goes to Him.
These are not realities that simply serve in this time because we will begin small. This is a reality that must be remembered in every season of a church’s life. If the church booms, may it be to God’s glory. If the church remains meager, may it be to God’s glory. If the church achieves average church size (appx. 50) may it be to God’s glory. And may it all be because His hand was on it and brought it about. I’m all for being intelligent, dedicated, and convictional, Lord knows. But, the only answer I want to have if anyone ever asks me how I did it is: I didn’t. God did.
“The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” - Proverbs 16:9
Sunday Ordination
In spite of my ordination examination going exceedingly well, we had yet to finish the final step. Since the elders who made up the board are a safeguard and not the decision-makers, we required our church to formally ordain me. I threatened them with immediate and unimaginable misuse of power but they voted to ordain me anyway.
While this is an important part of a pastor’s journey, it doesn’t actually make me a pastor. That happens when the church plant votes and calls me to be their pastor. I look forward to that day with eager and tender anticipation.
Nevertheless, it was a special day to be presented to the church to decide if they believed me to be qualified and called to the work of pastoring God’s flock. Soli Deo gloria!
Sow Your Seed
No I am not shaking you down for sleazy funding for the church plant. However, if anyone has a jet they would like to donate, also don’t do that. I don’t know what to do with a jet. But, this was the main theme of my sermon on Sunday.
Pastor Matt is officially on paternity leave! This means I’m preaching weekly for the next few months. I’m looking forward to preaching more consecutively; I’ve been doing pulpit supply or giving Matt a break here and there. Sunday we addressed Holy Scripture’s instruction for the Christian to sow unto the Spirit and not the flesh. I trust you’ll be encouraged by it.
Prayer Requests
Please pray for a dear brother Patrick who was hospitalized last week for internal bleeding from a surgery complication. He is in the ICU and improving, praise God!
Pray for Marian who is a member of our church (RBC) and the owner of Avodah Therapy. She’s having back surgery this week and will be out of commission for a month or more.
Pray for our first week of training for the church plant next week. I’ve been preparing for this time and I’m trusting God to bring us together around His Truth and Spirit.
