A few thoughts before heading north...500+ miles going in circles...critical communication

 

Our days at Betmar are coming to a close.  On my daily morning walk I looked across the pond to see my 90 year old father walking his dog.  You will need to zoom in to see him under the live oaks of the park which are draped with Spanish moss.  I added the second picture but it is a little blurry.  I was calculating how many miles I have walked during this 3 month furlough when I spotted his neon hat bought by him at a truck stop on our trip last August from California to Maine.  Even though I have logged over 500 miles (in circles around this park) I pray I am able to be walking like dad at 90+.

Another development is the decision to study and preach through the book of James when we arrive at the Weymouth Community Church.  I have been using these Scripture Journals for the last couple of books of the Bible to assist as I preach through chapter by chapter and verse by verse.  It allows each person to have the same version and also a place to make notes on the opposite page which is blank and lined.  It is a great tool for the teacher to instruct the students at times to circle certain words in the text or underline common phrases of the author.  I am excited about going through this book that offers so many practical Christian living principles.  It was interesting to key in on the words of James that sound so much like the words of his half-brother Jesus. 

 

I had the great honor to meet up again with the elders of Machias Valley Baptist Church via ZOOM this week.  These sessions were planned before I left and consists of monthly chats with the newly installed pastor and quarterly contact with the full elder board.  Familiar faces and voices brought back a flood of memories.  I sent some questions ahead for them to think about and one was, "After going through the pastoral transitional process, if you could say one thing or have me convey one thing to the elders at my new assignment, what would it be?"

From my quickly scribbled notes, (so not verbatim on these)

David said, "Getting people involved brought people together."

Rob said, "Trust God will work.  Follow the plan.  Get others involved.  Don't hold onto the power."

Ted said, "Stay committed to the process.  Don't give up.  Don't settle for less than God's best.  Get people involved."

Pastor Zach said, "Over communicate to your potential applicant.  Don't just show your strengths but also your struggles."

I found it interesting that the 3 elders who walked through this process all brought up the involvement of others.  Those "others" were key to the elders having the discernment they needed to see God's hand at work.  Pastor Zach, on the other side of the process, enforced the need for open direct communication.  Many times we rely too much on a post to a social media venue to keep everyone informed when a well timed call, visit, or public announcement makes it clear that we are striving to make personal connections with others.  Communication amongst the "others" in a church is crucial to its growth spiritually and physically.

Every applicant got an email that we received their documents.  Every applicant that was deemed "not a fit" initially received another email promptly of that decision.  Every application moving on received a phone call and an email with more information about the church and the search process.  Every applicant after each step received an email about the decision of the elders and the search team and personal calls were made as ZOOM meetings were set up.  Any email from even a "turned down" applicant was returned with further explanation if asked.  Get the point?  Communication was very important to the search process.

If God brings a person to your mind, what do you do with that thought?  I would encourage you to take a step and make a connection.  We have so many ways to do this these days.  Text, private message, email, call, video chat, or bring out the old school method of pen and paper, envelope and stamp!  There is a reason that God had you, a follower of His, think of that person.  Short and sweet is always nice and many times it is a timely touch for the other that God has orchestrated.  

Some final thoughts from Florida.  

Adam