All to Him I Owe

There is a room in our church that is creatively called “the Brain.” It is the room our leadership meets in once a month for the purpose of planning, praying and leading our congregation. There are a number of items posted on the walls to remind us of important principles that apply to our role as leaders. In 2012 the following principles were posted for us to remember and though 2012 is over I hope we will still use them in 2013 and the years to come.

1. The call to lead Faith Baptist Church in God’s will includes a call for us to diligently seek God’s will.

2. God’s will must always supersede our own personal opinions or desires.

3. We must be careful to avoid solely determining God’s will through:

• Another ministries practice
• The previous administration of this congregation
• What will help us avoid the most communication or conflict?

4. God will provide for that which is His will.

5. Our job is to know and lead the congregation in God’s will not to convince the congregation of God’s will.

6. God’s will is revealed through principles and the “ways” of God revealed in scripture.

Last week was the launch service of our sister church, Faith Baptist Church of Roseville. Click on the website link below if you are in the Roseville area needing a good church home, or wanting to keep an eye on another church planting ministry.

Faith Baptist Church of Roseville Website

A few years ago this list by Dr. MacArthur was given to me along with a letter of encouragement. I have these ten things posted above my desk as a daily reminder to the seriousness and privilege of being a pastor. I agree with all ten of these! The 10th one is definitely true of me.

Ten Reasons I Am a Pastor
By John MacArthur

1. The church is the only institution Christ promised to build and bless.

2. The corporate functions of the Body all take place in the church.

3. Preaching is the chief human means God uses to dispense His grace. – I have the privilege each Sunday of proclaiming God’s message to His people – a message of grace, by which God saves people and transforms lives.

4. I can be consumed with study and communion with God. – There’s a public side to me that the congregation sees, but there’s a private side to me that only God knows.

5. I am directly responsible to God for the lives of the people He has given me to shepherd. – I watch over their souls as one “who will give an account” (Heb. 13:17).

6. I am also accountable to the people in my church. – Everything is exposed to them: my life and family, my personal strengths and weaknesses-everything. I cherish that accountability.

7. I love the challenge of building an effective leadership team from the people God has put in the church.

8. The pastorate embraces all of life. – I share the joy of parents over the birth of a child, as well as the pain of children over the death of a mother or father. I help celebrate at a wedding; I also offer comfort at a funeral. There is an inevitable unpredictability that accompanies my calling-an incredible adventure may begin at any given moment. It is at those times that the pastor goes beyond his sermon to stand in the gap for God in the lives of His people.

9. The rewards in this life are marvelous.

10. I’m afraid not to be a pastor.

This article has some great thoughts for our single adults here at FBC.

Single, Satisfied and Sent: A Mission for the Not Yet Married