Starting in a New Place

Today’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Isaiah 21
NT: Acts 10
W&W: Proverbs 18

Today’s Reflection:
This is Tuesday's blog. Sorry I didn't get this posted yesterday!

As you may know, I am about to embark on a new ministry assignment as pastor of the Bethel Church of the Nazarene. So, as I read Acts 10, my mind was predisposed to read the passage within the context of start-up. The story is about the Apostle Peter going into the house of Cornelius, preaching the gospel, and seeing God save him and his household.

I noted that Peter:

1. Obediently and without hesitation went to the place God called
2. Affirmed the people of that place
3. Went into the house
4. Found a large group waiting to hear words of hope
5. Sought their purpose in calling him
6. Preached the gospel (God’s purpose in sending him!)
7. Witnessed an outpouring of God’s Spirit
8. Administered baptism to new believers

As I look over that list, I am impressed with its application to a pastor starting in a new assignment. Particularly as I begin my ministry at Bethel, I must:

1. Respond with obedience to God’s call and follow God without reservation and no thoughts of turning back.
2. Affirm the people to whom God has called me.
3. Enter fully into the house of God (Bethel), pouring myself into the work and becoming a part of the lives of those I serve.
4. See a large group ready for hope and encourage them to bring others to hear the words of life.
5. Remain open as to why I am here, asking questions, listening to people, studying the context, and seeking the Lord.
6. Preach the gospel. That’s the calling!
7. Expect to witness the power of God in changing lives.
8. Superintend the worship, membership, discipleship and citizenship of the church.

This may not be an exhaustive list, but you must agree it is not a bad outline for any pastor starting in a new assignment. Giving attention to these things would keep any new pastor busy!

One other thing as I finish today’s blog: another of today’s scriptures deserves mention. Proverbs 18.22 says, “He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord.” Lana and I will soon celebrate 30 years of marriage. As I read that verse, I realized that I indeed have found what is good and the Lord has favored me with a beautiful and enchanting wife!

This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
1 John 1.1-4: That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched – this we proclaim concerning the word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make our joy complete.