One interview experienced....
I have experienced interviews before for work in the community as I have had to be bi-vocational at times but last night I was interviewed by a church pastoral search team and I can say I was truly thankful for the opportunity to experience it.
I know that I am not the most educated man by the standards of the world with degrees beyond my B.A. but what I lack in letters God has directed me to through self study of His word and the help of many others through books and articles. I guess I experienced last night from a group outside of those I know and who listen to me on a regular basis that there is depth to what is being said.
Communicating about the interview to our third child, a college graduate, he spoke a compliment that I was humbled to hear. He said in observation that I read and study as much as any student he has seen in a graduate or masters study. I guess I didn't realize that I do this so much. I just figured it was part of what needed to be done on a weekly basis to communicate God's word.
I then read this article this morning by John Wesley to a young preacher. It fit right in.
John
Wesley writing to John Trembath (August 17, 1760), a young minister who
was a poor preacher, arguing that better reading is not a sufficient
condition for better preaching, but it is a necessary one.
I know that I am not the most educated man by the standards of the world with degrees beyond my B.A. but what I lack in letters God has directed me to through self study of His word and the help of many others through books and articles. I guess I experienced last night from a group outside of those I know and who listen to me on a regular basis that there is depth to what is being said.
Communicating about the interview to our third child, a college graduate, he spoke a compliment that I was humbled to hear. He said in observation that I read and study as much as any student he has seen in a graduate or masters study. I guess I didn't realize that I do this so much. I just figured it was part of what needed to be done on a weekly basis to communicate God's word.
I then read this article this morning by John Wesley to a young preacher. It fit right in.
Reader
John
Wesley writing to John Trembath (August 17, 1760), a young minister who
was a poor preacher, arguing that better reading is not a sufficient
condition for better preaching, but it is a necessary one.What has exceedingly hurt you in time past, nay, and I fear, to this day, is lack of reading.I scarce ever knew a preacher who read so little.And perhaps, by neglecting it, you have lost the taste for it.Hence your talent in preaching does not increase. It is just the same as it was seven years ago. It is lively, but not deep; there is little variety; there is no compass of thought.Reading only can supply this, with meditation and daily prayer.You wrong yourself greatly by omitting this.You can never be a deep preacher without it, any more than a thorough Christian.Oh begin! Fix some part of every day for private exercise. You may acquire the taste which you have not; what is tedious at first will afterward be pleasant.Whether you like it or not, read and pray daily.It is for your life; there is no other way; else you will be a trifler all your days, and a pretty, superficial preacher.Do justice to your own soul; give it time and means to grow.Do not starve yourself any longer.Take up your cross and be a Christian altogether.Then will all the children of God rejoice (not grieve) over you, and in particular yours.
—”Letter to a Friend,” The Works of the Rev. John Wesley (London, 1813), 49.
For something written in 1760 - it is very relevant to today.
Adam
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