Pray For The Transition!

Hey everyone,
a "Preparing for Sunday" post is on the way. But for now, I wanted to write down a few reflections on our transition between pastors coming up this Sunday, and a few ways you can be praying for our church as we go through this unique, joyous time.

First of all, what an encouragement to be a part of a local church that is transitioning its senior pastors the way ours is. Pastor John has been purposeful to keep a mindset of discipleship, and has been purposeful to line Jordan up, and train him, to take the baton of senior pastor of our church. 2 Timothy 2:2 says to "entrust [the Word of God] to faithful men who will be able to teach others also." John is doing this with Jordan, and the Word of God will continue to be taught faithfully in our church as Jordan takes the baton.

It's hard to believe we're already at the week where John will commission Jordan, but here we are. I came to Christ in our church's high school ministry. So on some level I feel like my faith is a product of the Holy Spirit working through John's 29 years of pastoring and shepherding. I know many of you feel the same way.

So first of all, I want to encourage everyone to be there this Sunday, and to stick around for lunch afterward. It will be a sweet time of celebration together. This shouldn't be a sad time - everything about this Sunday should be encouraging, and a testimony of God's faithfulness to His people!

Second, be in prayer for our church, and our pastors and elders. Here are a few ways you can pray:

1. Pray thankfulness to God for John's faithfulness to the preaching and pastoring ministries God has entrusted him with. Faithfulness is hard to find these days, but the Holy Spirit has enabled John to faithfully shepherd this local church. We're extremely blessed.
2. Pray for John as he changes his role at the church. He has asked for prayer specifically for this. Pray that God would direct him into the perfect avenues in the Body of Christ, to use his gifts of teaching and shepherding. 
3. Pray for Jordan, that God will give him full strength and encouragement as he takes the baton of leadership. Also pray for Jordan's own relationship with Christ, and that Jordan would continue to dive deep in his time in Scripture, into the glory of the Gospel. And pray that this would come to us by way of his preaching.
4. Pray for protection for our church, for Jordan, and our other pastors and elders. The evil one does prowl around like a roaring lion (1 Peter 5:8). We need to be in prayer that God will protect our church from the schemes of the devil as we move forward in proclaiming the hope and joy of the Gospel.

A Quote to Ponder (Been a while since I've done one of these.)

"If we hope that our worship will help shape the people of the congregation into Christ-likeness, we must be careful to choose songs that are strongly biblical rather than romantic, trivial, or therapeutic...

...[N]ever choose songs with passable lyrics - choose songs with lyrics that will change people's lives."

~ Greg Scheer, from The Art of Worship

Preparing for Sunday, 2/5/12

We'll continue this week with our mini-series on giving in the church. I have to say, I've been hugely motivated and encouraged, and challenged by this preaching series from 2 Corinthians. My wife and I get comfortable in the giving of our money to the church. But when we're comfortable with our giving, maybe it's time to think about what we can do to give more. I've been especially challenged by the fact that giving should be planned and thoughtful, not just an afterthought of the week or month. If I'm a part of the life of our local church, I'm a part of the redeemed family of God and have a family life and identity to participate in. So we plan to share our resources, and do it out of thankfulness for all that God has ultimately done for us. You probably want to just read all of 2 Corinthians 9 to get ready for tomorrow.

We'll sing the following songs:

1. Your Grace is Enough
This will be our "call to worship" song, reminding ourselves right from the start of the morning that God has poured out His love and grace on His people, and that we could not be more welcomed into God's redeemed family than we are.

2. My Hope is Built
We'll focus things in a little more with this hymn, that basically unpacks Hebrews 6:13-20, that says that Christ has secured and anchored our salvation permanently and for good, by His sacrifice for sin. Can't say enough about how much I love this one.

3. There is a Redeemer
This is another great hymn that will hit more sides of Christ's great, finished work. The songs says, "Jesus, our Redeemer, Name above all names/Precious Lamb of God, Messiah, Hope for sinners slain!"

The chorus also affirms that God has not left us alone once saved, but has out His Spirit in us, to sanctify and bring us safely home to Him. Good stuff.

4. All I Have is Christ
This is something of a "narrative" or story song.  This one will give us the chance to respond to all of Christ's great saving work, by singing in the 3rd verse, "Now Father, use my ransomed life in any way You choose/And let my song forever be 'My only hope is You!

Hope to see you tomorrow. Really looking forward to gathering for worship in the morning!