Only Wonder Grasps Anything

we've called a pastor

This past Sunday after the morning worship service, we had a brief congregational meeting to vote on the pastoral candidate recommended by our pastor search committee, and he was called by about a four/fifths majority.

I'm glad that we've called a pastor, and am thankful for the work that the search committee has done. I don't agree with all the search criteria that were used, but on the central issues of having godly character and sound theology the man we've called seems really solid. Perhaps a little more time asking questions and getting to know this candidate would have cleared up some of my concerns and resulted in a unanimous recommendation from the search committee, but I believe that the Lord is sovereign and has worked through our search committee to bring us our next pastor.

I was hesitant to raise some of the questions and concerns that I've asked about with folks at church, but am really glad that I've talked with some folks about those things. Its imporant that as brothers and sisters within our congregation we talk through our (sometimes) differing views on theology, because it gives us opportunities to sharpen each other under the authority of Scripture, as iron sharpens iron, and gives us practice loving each other in spite of different convictions.

I'm also thankful that the entire time we've been searching--for almost an entire year--we've been priviledged to have an assistant pastor who has been pastoring us from week to week, preaching from 1 John, and setting a good example of befriending people with the love of Christ--even folks at the local Wendy's. Please join with our congregation in praying that the Lord will provide a call soon for our assistant pastor.