This past Sunday, January 27, 2008, was a bittersweet day for us. It was the final day of a church that I had been pastor of for over seven years. Many wonderful friendships have been developed and will continue for a lifetime. It was an emotional day for us all. My children think we are never going to see them again but we will. My eight year old asked “why do we have to leave?”, all I could say was “God’s time.” It was difficult for them to understand but we had been preparing their hearts for several months but the moment it came was difficult. I preached a final sermon to them as pastor entitled “What Kind of Man needs to be in the Pulpit.” I was concerned for them as Paul was for his sheep when appointing Timothy.
However, for us it is a journey that I call the Genesis 12 experience. God told Abram to go and He would show him. So he left. We believe God is wanting us to start a family integrated church, Baptist in polity but one that is focused on the family. Not just a family with many children but families that include a couple with no children or just a few, widowed, grandparents, single mom’s or dad’s, singles and anyone that makes up a household. A church where doctrine is taught and fathers are equipped to be the priests of the home. This is my heart. A church that is not program driven or activity laden. Its the rush lifestyle that many churches have created that is responsible for burnout ,not only in pastors but also in families.
God is beginning to place people in our lives, just as He said He would. Its wonderful to see the kind hand of God upon our lives. I trust in the providence of God. He is faithful and true, just and loving and most of all He is sovereign. I do not understand why He has chosen me but I am grateful He has! Read a little bit about the FIC church in the tab above.
