What God is Teaching Me
I have so many things swirling around in my head right now. Over the past few weeks, I have been to CECL (the Center for Excellence in Congregational Leadership) with four members of the vision team, I met with the entire Vision Team and we had some great discussion about our church and issues related to our vision and I have read four books that have been challenging and thought provoking. In the midst of these events, I have experienced (along with our church family) a plethora of emotions…from great joy to overwhelming sorrow…from new life to tragic death…and more. Needless to say, there are lots of ideas and applications that need to come from these experiences. Let me expound on a few things that God is teaching me and some specifics that God is challenging me to address.
Personal Devotion and Prayer Life
This is an area that I am constantly striving to improve in my life, and I am probably not alone in this. Spending time in the Word of God and in prayer is essential for Christians, and as a pastor I am not exempt from this. When I am constantly preparing for a sermon or Bible study, it is easy to say that this is my devotion time. But I must set aside a regular time to read my Bible, and to talk with and listen to God through prayer. The Psalmist wrote, “ Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long” (Psalm 25: 4-5). As followers of Christ, we must open our lives to understanding God’s will…making this a priority in our lives.
Leadership Development
I have known for several months that I must focus my ministry on leadership development. In Ephesians 4:11-12, the apostle Paul said “It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up”. The goal of pastoral leadership should be equipping the people of God for works of service. As we continue to grow as a congregation, which is the natural effect of being a healthy church, my role in leadership development will continue to expand. It is my desire to pour myself into developing leadership at Pea Ridge. I am currently working on putting together a plan for leadership development. Pray for God’s direction in this matter.
A Process of Discipleship for our church
One of the ideas that has been in the forefront of my mind is a process of discipleship for our church. We need to have a systematic approach to growing disciples…and maturing them through the years. This process must including salvation, a way to address the needs of new Christians and a way for Christians to grow through the years. I don’t know what this will look like, but I am sure you will be hearing more about this as our Vision Team continues to meet and pray and strategize for the future.
Living with Joy!
So many times Christians go through life and never experience true joy. We get mad over something or some issue in the church or in our personal lives. We go through the motions of Christian living and never truly experience the joy of the Christian life. Jesus told us, “If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete” (John 15:10-11, NIV). Being a disciple of Jesus Christ, living in obedience to all that He commands us to do, will lead us to a life of joy. I have been challenged to look at all that God is doing in my life and all that He is calling me to do and see the joy in my life that comes from following Jesus.
These are some areas where God is challenging me. In what areas is God challenging you? How are you growing in the Lord Jesus Christ? I am praying for you and asking God to reveal Himself to you. Blessings as you grow!
Pastor Greg