While, this post is primarily directed towards my generation of pastors, I believe it could be beneficial to preachers in general.
I truly believe my generation of preachers need to stop worry about becoming the next big thing. We’ve got a sense of urgency to get to the top, more than advancing the gospel and developing as leaders. It’s okay to want your platform of influence to increase. But, it’s not okay when your motives and desires are for your name to be known more than Jesus.
My generation of pastors need to become more obsessed with growing a love for the local church, working on their holiness, developing sound doctrine, and living lives that worthy of following. I heard Pastor Perry Noble say once, ‘you need to stop worrying about getting discovered and get developed.’ Now, most of us won’t ever admit this, but its very true.
You’ve got to ask yourself:
Are you truly more concerned if people have a change of heart or adore you when you get done preaching?
Are you truly concerned about furthering the cause of Christ or gaining a bigger platform?
Do you want your name known or do you want to make Jesus’ name known?
We need to stop worrying about obtaining our invite to preach at next years Catalyst Conference and more concerned with becoming godly leaders who love Jesus, their wives and church. Then allow Jesus to elevate and increase our platform of ministry in his timing. This is a very hard lesson that Jesus worked in me about a year ago, that I’ve been very thankful for.
Let’s start this new season of blogging off with a simple and quick update.
1. My wife and boys are doing great. Whittaker is a little over two years old now and Fletcher is 15 months old now. We’ve grown a lot over the last few months. We’ve grown a greater appreciation for our marriage and family.
2. Church Life. I’ve worked part-time at Chets Creek Church for the last five months. The staff has been incredible towards me. I love those guys. My official title is ‘Ministry Intern’ but I’ve been treated more like pastoral staff. They have been gracious and good to my family.
3. Travel. We were able to travel this past September to Vancouver and Alaska. Vancouver was hands down one of the best cities I’ve ever visited. We celebrated an early five year anniversary there and then later joined up with her family for an Alaskan cruise.
4. South Africa. Last month I was able to go on our a mission trip with about 25 people from our church. I experienced some stuff I’ve never seen before and was able to preach twice there as well.
5. December. This is random, but December is probably my favorite month. I love it. The colder weather and celebration of Christmas.
You know I love and hate blogs.
I love writing. But, it comes and goes.
I haven’t blog lately, it’s been on purpose.
Thanks for coming by, I’ll be adding some fresh content again.
:: a little back story
I’ll just start off by saying this, the last nine months of my life and ministry have been very painful, joyful, and refining months. After we decided to not launch a church plant, it was very difficult to navigate what to do next. Around March, we begin interviewing with churches about possible positions from student ministry to college. But, we never had a peace about any of the churches.
For some reason we couldn’t come to terms with leaving the church we started attending while we navigated what our next ministry move was going to be. We started attending Chets Creek Church in January. We thought we’d only be camped out there until we took a position some where…
But while we were interviewing, we kept sensing that God brought us to Chets Creek Church for a reason. During the interview process, we decided we’d stop interviewing and just keep attending Chets Creek. Even if that meant all we would do is attend there and serve in whatever areas they needed help in. I’ll be honest this was a little difficult for me. I was turning down full time jobs in some great churches. I was thinking, ‘Ok Lord, we’ll just attend here…no full time paycheck or doing what I love.’ I wasn’t too keen on this!
:: so what’s next for us?
Well, on August 1st, I will be starting at Chets Creek Church as a ministry intern! We are still finalizing all the details of what my work week will look like. But, it will most likely consist of the usual intern stuff: cleaning restrooms, getting coffee and donuts for staff, and being called in for funny jokes. Just kidding.
I am very excited about this opportunity to serve a great church and learn from the staff. We have been incredibly blessed by the people God has surrounded us with at Chets Creek for the last seven months. We are very thankful for the people and staff of Chets Creek, as they have been a huge encouragement to my wife and I as we’ve been sorting out what to do with our ministry.
I appreciate all your prayers and words of encouragement you guys have been to me! I know there has been a lot of you praying for us as we have sought the Lord on what to do. As far as we know this where we’ll be until God tells us to move on. The staff and I both affirm that being an intern isn’t a long term job. But, we do know it’s a part of this ‘in between’ period of ministry.
Well this week has been flying by! Here’s a little Thursday Happiness for you with some updates.
1. Launched a new website last week. We’ve moved all the photography stuff to a new site and have been in the process of working out some killer details to make that business even better! Check out the new site here.
2. Preaching a couple times in the next few weeks. Next Thursday I’ll be at Neptune Baptist Church preaching to a group of young adults and the Jacksonville BCM crew. Next month, I’ll be preaching at the monthly Ascension Worship event.
3. I ran my first triathlon last Saturday. I survived! It was harder and easier than I thought it would be. Now, I’m hooked, just started a 16 week training program to get me in better shape to run my second triathlon in October! So, does this make me a legit triathlete now?!
4. This September I’m traveling to Vancouver for a couple days with my wife! And, then meeting up with the rest of her family for a cruise through the Alaskan water ways!
5. In October/November I’ll be traveling with Chets Creek Church to South Africa. It’s been an amazing God working story for this trip. One of the things I’m most excited about is getting the honor to preach part of a revival we are helping out at in one of the townships.
6. Ministry Job Update: We’ve been talking with a few churches over the last few months. We haven’t really sensed any strong leading on any of them yet. But, we are hopeful and know God is going to put us where we need to be!
I stink at living a disciplined life. I like to start things, but never finish them. I’ll get ambitious about an idea, only to get bored with it. Something I’m changing this year is adding a lot more discipline and better goal setting.
My brother @scottmagdalein told me something that changed everything, ‘most people want to start running..here’s what they need to do is not sign up for a 5k or half-marathon, they just need to run everyday for two weeks and build from there…they need discipline not a goal.’ Now, I know this illustration is about running, but the principle is transferable to more things.
:: Principle: you need discipline before you set a goal. ::
After hearing him share that, I got busy on creating a little more discipline in my life. Here’s a couple disciplines I’ve been working on:
- Exercise five days a week, with two rest days.
- Wake up every morning at 5:45 am.
- Read my Bible every morning during breakfast.
- Eating healthier foods.
- Articulating my theology.
In the next few installments of this post, I’ll share some of the processes and goals I’m setting to develop better discipline and achieving my goals.
:: Additional Resource: Scott blogged about how he created a system of discipline in running
‘Bloom where you’re planted.’ – Mary Engelbreit
I’ve heard this quote about a dozen times from one of my mentors. But, honestly, it hasn’t really become a reality for me until recently. I am learning more and more the impact and the potential in taking this quote to your core.
If you are anything like me, you might deal with contentment issues or maybe even find yourself chasing after what’s next…maybe you aren’t. In the past I’ve struggled with not giving it my all in what ever I’m doing.
Here’s one thing I’m changing this year: whatever God gives me and where ever he has me, I’m going to give it everything I’ve got.
Right now, I’ve got an opportunity to invest in a group of ten high school students. I’ve got six weeks with them, I’m going to give them everything I can. I’m going to invest my life into them. Even though I’ve got my resume out and interviewing for a church position, I’m giving the local church I’m a part of now all I’ve got. I’m even cleaning pools a couple days a week, guess what? I’m giving it everything I’ve got.
I’m learning to bloom where I’m planted. I’m trying to be faithful in the little things that God gives me. I’m trying to invest my life into whatever opportunity I’ve been given. My challenge would be to you, are you investing your life into what God’s given you at this current moment? Or are you holding out?
Here’s a couple updates on what’s going in my life and ministry.
1. Church Job Search :: Over the last few months we’ve been sending out resumes and interviewing with churches. I’ve had three interviews, visited one church in south Florida, and awaiting to hear from another church. It’s been a fun journey so far! We’ve got meet with some great churches. But, we are praying that God specifically places us where he wants us. Please continue to pray for clarity as we search!
2. Preaching :: I haven’t been taking as many preaching opportunities the past few months as well. I’ve been spending a little more time off the radar lately. But, I’ve beginning to take on more now. I preached about a month ago for a great friend of mine and looking forward to preaching at Ascension this summer.
3. Photography :: I’ve recently updated my camera equipment. I’ve also, been scouting on some killer locations to do some photo shoots. Let me know if you need a photo shoot.
4. My Family :: My wife and boys are doing great! The boys are growing so fast. They are learning new things each day. I love being a dad. My wife continues to amaze me as I watch her mother our children. She makes me so proud!
5. Chet’s Creek Church :: As we figure out what our next ministry move is, we’ve been camped out at Chet’s Creek Church. It’s been such a great time for us. We have loved getting to know the people and staff. They have been very gracious to us. It’s been encouraging getting to hang out with and get to know the staff. The people love Jesus and His church.
Thanks for stopping by, I appreciate your prayers! BB
Just wanted to give a quick plug to a link you’ll find above. I am currently looking for a position at church in the areas of: high school, college, and/or teaching pastor.
I would love to work with high school or college students.
I see them as the generation behind me I need to invest in.
I also, love preaching. Thus, joining a teaching team would be awesome!
I’m not sure the logistics of how this position would work, but hey lets figure it out!
I put this online resume together to highlight some ministry accomplishments, give you an idea of my skills and gifting, and to introduce ourselves.
You can see my online resume here.
There’s also, a link to see a traditional paper resume you can download and a video of me preaching.
Please note the online resume is an overview, while my paper resume gives some more details about work experience!
I want to take a few moments to share with you the pastors who have influenced and impacted me the most.
1. Pastor Alan Floyd :: Pastor Alan is the senior pastor of First Baptist of Middleburg. He has invested in my life since I was a punk 17 year old. He’s walked with me for the last nine years of my life. I am thankful for his investment and belief in me. When I was 17 years old, he was the first man I ever saw and said I want to be like him one day.
2. Pastor Michael Lukaszewski :: Pastor Michael leads two churches at the moment. He planted a church in Atlanta called Oak Leaf Church, but will be moving to NYC this summer to plant Brooklyn Church. Michael was one of the first men to ever seen potential in me and call it out. For the last nine years he has continued to speak potential into my ministry.
3. Pastor Steven Furtick :: Pastor Steven leads Elevation Church. I had the opportunity last summer, to have lunch with Pastor Steven and his wife Holly. Pastor Steven has taught me from a distance a great deal about honor. I’ve been challenged and impacted to forever in this area.
These three men have shaped my ministry in different ways. I am grateful for each of them. I am who I am because of them. Who has impacted your ministry the most? Brag on them a little bit today.