The Random Thoughts of Pastor Art
Okay, I'll admit, it's probably pretty random in this noggin' of mine on a regular basis, but in case you ever wanted to peer inside my thoughts as a pastor, here they are.
What do I think about in ministry? Well, honestly, I've always seen myself as a 2 talent man (See Matthew 25, a talent was a sum of money). In that parable, he gives one guy 5, one (me), 2 and another 1. I'm not a 5-talent guy and as such, I don't really long for 5 talent successes. I remember how pastor Chuck Smith told the CC Vero Beach pastor, if God gives you 25 sheep, make sure they are the best fed 25 sheep. If he gives you more, the instructions are the same. So, that being said, I'm just keeping my head down and trying to be faithful as I can in what God sees fit to do.
As of late, it seems that He is expanding our footprint. But my concern with that is losing the great atmosphere and community that we have. I've been meditating a lot on unity and how to keep us tight in relationship as we continue to grow. It seems the answer is the same no matter what size we are: when we serve and do life together, we have koinonia community. Fellowship. So I will continue to implore our members to engage in a small group and to serve alongside others. One of the reasons I've been an advocate of retreats and camps is that it really brings all those elements together in a short period of time. By the way, we are looking for someone with an administrative gifting to run with next year's camp. Let me know if that is a way you could serve FSC.
This weekend, we are in Ephesians 4. It says that he gave us church leaders to equip the members for the work of the ministry and through that, we are unified and reach full maturity together. That's why I constantly tell so many people to get plugged in to serving. Not because we need it (though we do), but because you need it. It transforms you. Just ask Doug Mosely! Besides, I fear that many of us see our faith as something we tack on to Sunday mornings instead of as something that touches on every area of life. That all of us are ministers of the gospel, our audience just changes depending on our vocation or where we live.
But one last thing, as we grow, our long-term goal is to plant a church. Not a satellite campus, but a regular functioning church. In the meantime, until the Lord shows us who that primary leader or leaders are, we will likely eventually go to a third service either Saturday or Sunday night. So pray with us as we ask Jesus what He would like to do with His church. Thanks for being a great church body!
Art on behalf of the elders (James, Doug, Eric, Josh, Gabe)
What do I think about in ministry? Well, honestly, I've always seen myself as a 2 talent man (See Matthew 25, a talent was a sum of money). In that parable, he gives one guy 5, one (me), 2 and another 1. I'm not a 5-talent guy and as such, I don't really long for 5 talent successes. I remember how pastor Chuck Smith told the CC Vero Beach pastor, if God gives you 25 sheep, make sure they are the best fed 25 sheep. If he gives you more, the instructions are the same. So, that being said, I'm just keeping my head down and trying to be faithful as I can in what God sees fit to do.
As of late, it seems that He is expanding our footprint. But my concern with that is losing the great atmosphere and community that we have. I've been meditating a lot on unity and how to keep us tight in relationship as we continue to grow. It seems the answer is the same no matter what size we are: when we serve and do life together, we have koinonia community. Fellowship. So I will continue to implore our members to engage in a small group and to serve alongside others. One of the reasons I've been an advocate of retreats and camps is that it really brings all those elements together in a short period of time. By the way, we are looking for someone with an administrative gifting to run with next year's camp. Let me know if that is a way you could serve FSC.
This weekend, we are in Ephesians 4. It says that he gave us church leaders to equip the members for the work of the ministry and through that, we are unified and reach full maturity together. That's why I constantly tell so many people to get plugged in to serving. Not because we need it (though we do), but because you need it. It transforms you. Just ask Doug Mosely! Besides, I fear that many of us see our faith as something we tack on to Sunday mornings instead of as something that touches on every area of life. That all of us are ministers of the gospel, our audience just changes depending on our vocation or where we live.
But one last thing, as we grow, our long-term goal is to plant a church. Not a satellite campus, but a regular functioning church. In the meantime, until the Lord shows us who that primary leader or leaders are, we will likely eventually go to a third service either Saturday or Sunday night. So pray with us as we ask Jesus what He would like to do with His church. Thanks for being a great church body!
Art on behalf of the elders (James, Doug, Eric, Josh, Gabe)
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