I am asking all of you to join with me in prayer. A couple of days ago, I got an e-mail from a church near Crossville, TN that is looking for a pastor. They had obtained my resume from the Tennessee Baptist Association and wanted me to come and preach for them as a trial. I will be going on Sept. 16 and preaching both services.

I want to do what God wants me to do. If this is where God is leading, then I want to be ready. It is scary, though, as I'd be having to sell the house and leave a job I've had for 17 years. I know that the Lord will be with me & Holly if we are asked to do this. However, being a natural worry-wart doesn't make decisions like this easy.

I really need your prayers over the next couple of weeks. Thanks!

The struggle you have if this really is from God.
What do we have to do.
God is not a God of questions but from answers too.
I am sure He will give Holly and you the answers on what to do.

I pray God will help you to prepare the sermons for both services in Crossville next week.
May you feel God's guidence in this.

This is awesome. You go, boy! Don't be like Jonah now.

No need to worry. Surrender to God. It's only through Him that you'll succeed at this and your path will be made clear.

Matt 6:25-34

Thanks for that swift kick in the pants, Michael! I need that right now. My spirit is willing, but my flesh is weak. How can it be that I can be so excited about this, and still be so afraid? I can definitely see the war in my flesh over this. I just want to deny my desires/fears and give in to God whether this is where He wants me to go or if He wants me to stay put. I want His will!!!

I'm thinking about driving up and finding the church and maybe just take a few minutes to pray on the front steps.

I will definately be praying for you. (I can be quite the worry-wart as well so I understand your apprehension).

I trust that God will reveal to you where he wants you.

Needless to say I pray for you too.
You don't have to do this alone.
God is with you and He will show you His way.
When God leads you to this church follow and trust that God will provide.
It's a big step to leave it all behind and make a new start, but know that God goes with you.
He will provide in all your needs.

Hey man your not alone if you know what I mean. Just know that ill be praying for you

I'll be praying for you too, alldat. Let God lead you in everything. Keeping reading His Word and praying and you'll find He'll answer your prayers. If God wants you there He'll make it clear. My friend was a pastor for 5 years, and then decided to give up in the ministry, become a driving instructor and move to wales. When he arrived in Wales he got a phone call from a church asking him to speak with a view! He's been the pastor there for about 4 years now.

Basically what I'm saying is, lean on the Lord and He'll guide you.

Going to the church to pray is a good idea, aswell.

Fundy

(Actually, we're looking for a pastor at our church, so if you're interested.....! Although distance may be a thing....)

My mother-in-law and I are about to head out on a road trip to visit this church while no one is there. I want to go and just pray on the steps for a few minutes. I also don't want to risk getting lost on the 16th when we go to speak.

I'll tell you more about the building and all when I get back in a few hours.

Fundy, if you really want me to submit a resume, send me your church info. (address, website if you have one, etc.)

Good your mother-in-law goes with you.
Then you can talk with her about the frist impressions.
Know God goes with you.
Have a good trip and I am curious to read how your first impressions are.
It's such a good idea to pray there on the church stairs.

God bless.

Hi alldat,

I'm not sure on your style of preaching or what style of service you are used to etc. but our church is quite traditional in music, preaching, dress-sense etc. Here is the website for you to have a look at...

www.wwech.co.uk

See what you think

Fundy

I think your church looks very similar to a lot of churches here. The hardest part of checking into this is the great distances. It would be hard to fly in to speak and then fly home to report back to my regular job the next day. But, if God leads, then I would do so.

I went and checked out the First Baptist Church of Cold Springs. The building is brick, has several classrooms for various ages. The sanctuary looks like it would seat about 120-130 people. The pews looked fairly new (or well kept) and shined when I peeped through the windows. They had a fellowship hall, and to the side of the church they have built a gymnasium. It was a beautiful church! I did not get to see the parsonage, but my first impression is that this is a community of believers who love the Lord and just want a nice, but not overly extravagant, place to worship together. After seeing the church, I am looking forward even more to going and preaching there in a week & a half.

From the church, it would be a three hour drive to my current job. So, this would need to be a full time role, or at least paying well enough to take a job closer to that area.

It's important your first impression is a good one.
Are you making one sermon for both services or are you making two sermons for each service one?
Three and a half hours is very long and then you have to work the 12 hour shift too and then three and a half hours back.
I am sure God has a solution for this.
God can work out things we never thought of.
I am looking forward to hear how it goes next Sunday.

With me having to work every other Sunday at Bridgestone, there just is no way for me to be a pastor and work for them. This decision, if presented to me, would be a choice between the two. Like I said, I would miss the security of a job I've had for 17 years, but I would much rather devote my time to something with more substance and meaning than tire manufacturing: encouraging/edifying God's people, training them for ministry, and reaching out to those who don't know Christ.

I have a couple of ideas for the morning service message. I have to prepare sermons for both the morning and night time services. I've done it before for my church, so this is not really that dificult if I just listen to God. "I can do ALL THINGS through CHRIST who strengthens me."

Yes God will give you the strength you need to prepare your self for the both sermons.
Do you have to lead the praise and worship services too?

The last option fits to you so much.
You always wanted to go in the full time ministery to serve God and be the shepherd of a congregation. To lead them to tech them and to let them grow.
I hope it's time to say goodbye to Bridgestone and serve God in this congregation.
Is it a full time job?
Or only a partime job and you have to search for an other job there too?

I take it in a church that size you'd be the only pastor. Are you plugged in enough to produce fresh and relevant sermons every week? Some can't make the transition to the major leagues.

Explain "plugged in", please.

I believe that if God wants me there, then I will flourish in the role He calls me to be in.

I manage to bring new ideas and topics to the youth every week. I believe that I could, as long as I am studying & praying regularly, bring relevant messages to the congregation.

Oh, to answer your question, Yvonne, I would not have to lead the worship time. They have someone for that already. I'm not sure I would really want to do both.