I went to my first of, hopefully, many Howell Baptist Association’s Pastor’s Breakfasts yesterday. The attendance wasn’t too great – but what do you expect on the first week of the new year? Anyway, it WAS nice to meet with the men. All were older than I; the younger guys must be busy with their ministry (. It was terrific to have the senior pastor of the largest church in the Association taking such a humble role and the older guys doing the same. Talk about experience… one of the guys there has been in the ministry for longer than I’ve been alive – pushing 90 years old, he has nearly 60+ years of experience! I think I’m going to like this group of guys. Their experience makes my measely 5+ years seem like my feet aren’t even wet, yet. Their humility makes them seem more like friends than like the giants they are. I believe they have more to give me than I have to give them. I only wish that the New Sunbury Association I just left were more like that (and I know that there are a few pastors trying to make it that way – as well as the DOM, Jim Elliott – a great guy!).
Now that I’ve been in their presence, it is my hope that their ways will rub off on me. I could use their serene ways, their wise actions, and their personable approaches. Here in Bakersfield, people are kind, but I sense also that there’s something underneath – a fear and suspicion of those new to the area. I’ve heard that the last pastor had some problems here. Not sure exactly what – but it could have been that he was “too bossy.” The challenge is to make it seem more like change is their idea, not mine; to be a friend and confidant in a place full of small-town gossip; and above all, to be a rock of steadfast predictability and reliability that exudes confidence and encourages the people to take heart no matter the situation. That, above all, is my personal ministry goal for Bakersfield First Baptist. Anything less would prove fruitless and folly. I won’t set any personal baptism goals, attendance goals, etc. until I’ve first stepped well down the road in these areas. The church might set some of these sorts of goals, but I will not. Will you pray with me to that end?
Now that I’ve been in their presence, it is my hope that their ways will rub off on me. I could use their serene ways, their wise actions, and their personable approaches. Here in Bakersfield, people are kind, but I sense also that there’s something underneath – a fear and suspicion of those new to the area. I’ve heard that the last pastor had some problems here. Not sure exactly what – but it could have been that he was “too bossy.” The challenge is to make it seem more like change is their idea, not mine; to be a friend and confidant in a place full of small-town gossip; and above all, to be a rock of steadfast predictability and reliability that exudes confidence and encourages the people to take heart no matter the situation. That, above all, is my personal ministry goal for Bakersfield First Baptist. Anything less would prove fruitless and folly. I won’t set any personal baptism goals, attendance goals, etc. until I’ve first stepped well down the road in these areas. The church might set some of these sorts of goals, but I will not. Will you pray with me to that end?
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Pastor Greg