Gird Up Your Loins For Ministry :)
Gird up your loins for ministry:)
He [God] will not allow your foot to slip; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel. Will neither slumber nor sleep. (Psalm 121:3,4)
I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:6)
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
She girds her loins with strength, and strengths her arms. (Proverbs 31:17)
This has been a hard season for FBC; the departure of 2 pastors, the questions about our church transition and COVID realities all of which could divide us — we have seasoned more than 2 years worth of pain in the last 2 calendar years! But our Lord does not slumber nor does he abandon us! As we look forward we also look back and see our steadfast God; has been, is now and will be at work in FBC and the lives of her members — thanks be to God!
Now as we prepare to launch a Pastoral Search Committee we each must grid up our loins to:
- Pray! Pray for our future pastor, pray for clear insight into the Lord’s direction for us, pray for the work of the committee and the individual members of it.
- Participate! We are hosting a special congregational meeting both in-person and over Zoom (available by following this link) on November 14th immediately after the church service. Please find a way to join us as we seek the Lord in our church’s next direction.
- Support! In the past weeks I have been the recipient of many thank you notes (thank you for those who authored them) to this practice I echo Paul in saying do this all the more (1 Thessalonians 4:9-10). This new committee, our current leaders and the members of your small group will excel more and more as their brothers and sisters share the load by sharing the love (Galatians 6:2).
- And Gird up your loins: See below:
Lord, we thank you for your steadfast love for us!
Through times of transition and pandemic your Love and your Word are always true.
Though your plans are often hidden from our eyes, we know your sovereign hand is guiding our church and our expression of the gospel.
We come before you asking that you grant us wisdom in our next steps; as we launch this committee, search for a pastor and welcome him and his family into our church.
As we have been a beacon of gospel truth in Corvallis for so long, we pray that you would continue to be our supply of oil keeping our God honoring worship, teaching and evangelism burning brightly as we rely on your truth not our strength!
We thank you and praise you.
Your brothers and servants,
Daniel for the elders