I begin my work as interim associate pastor on Monday. In preparation for that, the pastor and I spoke on the phone this morning. Because things have worked out the way they have, I mentioned to Pastor John that I believe that this ministry is where God has led me. I knew the story only from my side.
Coming out of the front door of the library, where I have been going regularly, I noticed this lovely stone church directly across the street. Curious about the church, wanting to know their time of worship, I logged on to their website. I was amazed to see there that they were looking for an interim associate pastor. My heart skipped a beat, as I wondered whether or not such a church might be interested in a minister from another denomination. Then I noticed that the website's last entry was August, so I figured the position had probably already been filled.
It was the weekend, and I could not call and ask, so I worked on my resume and waited until Monday morning, when I went in personally. The church secretary said that the committee had just decided to look for a full time permanent person, which is not what I wanted. I knew it had been a long shot to begin with. I sort of shrugged off my disappointment but decided to leave the resume anyway, just in case.
I didn't hear anything from them, so it seemed clear that the position was filled, or they were not interested in someone from a different denomination. I was actually able to put it out of my mind, though by this time, I was actively praying that the Lord would give me work to do. For the past few months, I have had too much free time, and have longed for some meaningful, ministry assignment.
It was three weeks later when the phone rang. The Chair of the Taskforce Committee called and said they had decided they wanted to meet with me. I interviewed with the church committee and learned that I would also need to interview with the denominational committee on ministry as well. That was a long and complex process. But it is done.
In talking with Pastor John this morning, I learned that the day before I walked in and left my resume, the committee realized that the direction they had been headed was not going to work out. Having been without an associate pastor for most of the year, John was sitting there that day when I walked in, praying for the right answer, the right person.
A believing person has to assume that a listening God connected those prayer dots and brought us together, church looking for an interim pastor---pastor looking for an interim church.
Coming out of the front door of the library, where I have been going regularly, I noticed this lovely stone church directly across the street. Curious about the church, wanting to know their time of worship, I logged on to their website. I was amazed to see there that they were looking for an interim associate pastor. My heart skipped a beat, as I wondered whether or not such a church might be interested in a minister from another denomination. Then I noticed that the website's last entry was August, so I figured the position had probably already been filled.
It was the weekend, and I could not call and ask, so I worked on my resume and waited until Monday morning, when I went in personally. The church secretary said that the committee had just decided to look for a full time permanent person, which is not what I wanted. I knew it had been a long shot to begin with. I sort of shrugged off my disappointment but decided to leave the resume anyway, just in case.
I didn't hear anything from them, so it seemed clear that the position was filled, or they were not interested in someone from a different denomination. I was actually able to put it out of my mind, though by this time, I was actively praying that the Lord would give me work to do. For the past few months, I have had too much free time, and have longed for some meaningful, ministry assignment.
It was three weeks later when the phone rang. The Chair of the Taskforce Committee called and said they had decided they wanted to meet with me. I interviewed with the church committee and learned that I would also need to interview with the denominational committee on ministry as well. That was a long and complex process. But it is done.
In talking with Pastor John this morning, I learned that the day before I walked in and left my resume, the committee realized that the direction they had been headed was not going to work out. Having been without an associate pastor for most of the year, John was sitting there that day when I walked in, praying for the right answer, the right person.
A believing person has to assume that a listening God connected those prayer dots and brought us together, church looking for an interim pastor---pastor looking for an interim church.
That being the case, I trust that it is going to be a blessing, for us all. May it be so.
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