Welcome to "Lord We Need a Pastor...," dedicated with love to our church family at Cool Community Church in Cool, California.
June 2009 brought the announcement that our lead pastor, Mike Ernst, and his family would be moving back to Auburn, California and that God is leading them into new places ministry-wise.
Many of us are experiencing a broad plethora of emotions as we face the future--the uncertainty, the questions. We all could use some encouragement as we look to the Lord and fix our eyes on His face and His will.
This blog is here as one way of offering that to our church family.
We may be without a human shepherd for a season...it may even be a LONG season! But here is a question to ponder...*ARE* we truly without a shepherd?
Ezekiel 34: 11 encourages us with this:
I myself will search for my sheep
and look after them.
Right now is an opportunity for us to cling to the Lord as never before...to be desperate for him, to learn from him, to allow him to teach us whatever he chooses.
In 2 Chronicles 20, when King Jehoshaphat was faced with a huge army marching against Judah, the "odds" seemed insurmountable. From a human perspective, things appeared grim. Even so, they stood firm in their faith and King Jehoshaphat prayed to God in verse 12:
this vast army that is attacking us.
We do not know what to do,
but our eyes are upon you.
His gaze was right where it needed to be.
The Lord responded to this faith. Isn't it wonderful that our Shepherd speaks to us words of encouragement just when we need them?
The Lord spoke (verse 15):
because of this vast army.
For the battle is not yours, but God's."
Likewise, the need to "find" a new pastor is great challenge, as well. It seems insurmountable and in our flesh we may want to rush the timing of this. But this truly isn't our "battle." It is God's. HE will provide what is needed when it is needed. As a member of the search team, I take great encouragement from this fact. I know that HE is raising up, even now, HIS solution to our need. HIS man. HIS way. In HIS time.
The Lord is our Shepherd. He gently leads us, guides us and will nurture and heal us as well. Let's fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith and know in our heart of hearts, this situation is His. He will shepherd us through this time. Let us follow Him faithfully and wait on him.
~ Heidi Bylsma
2 comments:
From a friend who was having trouble making a comment with her blogger account:
Heidi and Bob, what a great idea. As you know, my family and I have just started attending Cool Community Church. Some may say we are crazy for getting involved with a church that has lost many families and now its Sr. Pastor. But personally I am excited to be part of a church during times like this. My Church in Roseville went through something similar, and people thought the church was dead without any hope for resurrection. But God gave back what the locust had eaten, and ten fold. This is when deep growth and healing begins, when sifting and plowing occurs, preparing the Church for something big and I do believe that God has something big planned. This is a wonderful time to come to Cool Community I have experienced. Our fellowship, and worship has been sweet. We look forward to being more involved in the future. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Blessings always,
Kim Robertson
Pilot Hil
Dear Heidi: Thanks for writing this blog about your church pastor search. You might consider hiring an Interim Pastor for the next six months or so...and concurrently search for the permanent one. Your blog has some very reverent information, but it needs some business approach:
1. Denominational preference? What sort of inter-denominational direction are you looking for? Methodist, Presbyterian, Baptist, Episcopal, Lutheran, Assembly of God, or what?
2. About how big is the congregation? 10 families or 40 families?
3. Music program? What are your inclinations?
4. Current salary range that the congregation can pay?
5. Is there a manse or a parsonage for the pastor's family to live nearby?
Housing is important for a young pastor.
Warm wishes of support from Bob
Robert Hadley Sydnor
RHSydnor@aol.com
Presbyterian Deacon
Engineering Geologist & AERC Horseman
Fair Oaks
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