I request your prayers and advice. Both are so powerful and encouraging. Our pastor just told my husband (who is an associate pastor) that a full pastorate position is coming available in achurch a few hours away. My husband is excited by this proposition. I am scared. Not like a check or anything. Just scared of the unknown and becuase I also know how people are and hard it can be to be a PW. I don't know if I'm cut out for that kind of pressure. They are going to call us next week to meet with us. The current pastor is resigning due to family problems with a teenage son and has suggested my dh to the congregation as he has preached for them on several occassions. I want to know its God's will and I want my business to prosper where I ever move it to. It would be after the new year before we would move. They want us to start traveling and take it by November I think. SO just say a prayer for me.. aprayer of faith, compassion, pity whatever. And if you have any advice for me should we take it I'll be glad to hear it. Also we are open for business. Any one who reads this and is willing to ship their stuff, I'll embroidery/monogram for you for a deep discount. That way I can feel like I'm giving something back. Thank you all so much.
I'm so excited for you. God has been equipping and preparing you for this long before...He is already in the future waiting to show you around! How exciting!!! It's going to be great!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please let us know how things unfold. ENJOY all the moments you can. You are right, there are pressures. But there are also joys. Milk the joys for all their worth when they come along. Savor them, enjoy them. Praise God for his blessings large and small. When I moved to my new house, it was a lot more to clean. (both times, both houses in Fl) BUT............i resisted the temptation to ever complain about it because I realized what a blessing it was to have!!! The other day I was scrubbing my walk in shower and I stopped and got all excited...(yes, cleaning soap scum!!!) and I said, "I'M SO HAPPY!!! THIS IS MY SHOWER! THIS IS MY HOUSE! WHAT A BLESSING!!!" When we moved here, I was determined not to stress over one thing. Not one box, one delay, one anything. I was determined to SAVOR THE MOMENT, to enjoy it. To enjoy the people, to enjoy the church, to enjoy life.
Our church is normal in the way that we experience the same pressures that every pastor faces, but you know what I have just determined to be happy and enjoy the ministry. To enjoy people and not let anything or anyone steal my joy. To enjoy my family. You can too.
Hey, I'm so glad your business is up and running. I need to make an immediate order, for 6-7 items, and I'm not kidding. Could you possibly make an order and deliver to me by October 16? Let me know. If not, I'll plan it for Nov., but I do have some things I need. Please e-mail me and let me know so we can discuss details.
Ok I know a little more of what is going on. It's been very ... what's the word...hesitantly exciting. My husband spoke to the pastor that is leaving the church. The board is unanimous about meeting with us. He is excited. The church has just purchased property because they are needing to build. There are over 100 regular people most of whom are young with kids and stuff. They are wanting an explosive youth group. Well, our pastor is all excited for us. We have all the resources of our church at our disposal. We have people that will come and help us temporarily "staff" the ministries that are needed. And there is a house!!!! I have to admit I am excited about that. ONly one board member is posing problems nd he is the only member from the "old" board. But my husband know him and thinks he can handle him. I guess I'm a little anxious because we've never had to try out before a board. This a new thing for us. I don't how to act and look. I know I should be myself and yet I want to make a good first impression and maybe even a fresh start. Does that sound crazy?! Do you all have any pointers? (I'm sure you do) Please I am all ears. Prepare me for the good, the bad and the ugly. We go this weekend to meet with everyone and preach Sunday. So just keep us in prayer. This is definately a new thing.
Ok. THere are new developments in this story. THe old board of this church has kicked up and thrown the pastor out and about 80 people are going with him. THey want to elect their own pastor. So there are some serious problems going on down there and our pastor is trying to help us know how to handle it. But for now it looks like the deal is off. We will be going at it from another angle, kind of like a new church planting instead of what we thought was going to be a healthy move. So please keep this pastor in prayer and that God will let us know what to do. We want to help. Also my husband has a China missions trip coming up in November so just remember him in prayer.
Wow, sounds like a really crazy situation. Okay, my question is...I guess you are feeling no matter what that you are released from your current situation? Do you feel led that you must leave at this time? Or do you feel that you must because you were planning on it when the situation seemed healthier? I would just encourage you...if your pastor is okay with you staying there on staff and partnering with him until it seems the right thing has come along...why not do that? I would just hate to see you jump to a situation (unhealthy existing church...or a church plant if it's not what you feel called to do) if you could stay put and wait on God for a while. Do you definitely feel called to church plant? I'm just asking the question because although an awesome thing, it's not without great challenges. Love ya, Deanna
We are definately staying on staff until the pastor thinks it is ok to go. We will have the support of our church 100%. We found out the current pastor didn't even show up to resign the church sunday. So a split is imminent and my dh says he feels much better going into a group that is hungry and even though they may be hurt or whatever from all this, to go into that than a situation where he feels like he's gotta -- for lack of a better phrase-- kiss tail to keep his job. So, we are going to be traveling once a week or every two weeks and doing a home bible study. Until they get ready to build on the property that they just bought. He even feels maybe he will go and maybe help raise up a pastor from the group and just spend a few years with them or whatever. We still are so unsure of so much. It all changes everyday, but our pastor said he prayed God if they're gonna do something stupid down ther let them do it before Barak goes. I don't want himn hurt. So I thought that was so sweet. We are moving cautiously and with experienced council. Thank you so much for praying. Did you get your email about the orders you had?
) Please I am all ears. Prepare me for the good, the bad and the ugly. We go this weekend to meet with everyone and preach Sunday. So just keep us in prayer. This is definately a new thing.
