Lanelle and I rejoice with you in the calling and coming of a new pastor. We heard what a good weekend it was, capped with a unanimous call from a packed Sanctuary. We trust that the days ahead will be the most victorious, Christ-loving days of EHBC’s history.
Someone asked if I was not sad about leaving. Well, no, I came to leave. My purpose was to be a gap-chap, leading you through this transitional time. That time has concluded. I am thankful for the opportunity of being with you during this time. I am thankful for the kindness you have shown to Lanelle and me. We will always carry EHBC in our hearts.
I told the Wednesday night Prayer Meeting Group that it might be wise to hold any kind remarks made to me until I actually leave. I expect to be here a few more weeks. By the time I leave you may change your mind about me.
Church Is Family
Josh and his family are joining a great church family. Calling a pastor is somewhere between hiring an employee and marrying a spouse. It is not hiring an employee. We don’t call it “hiring.” We use the term “calling,” indicating that it is an expression of doing God’s will for the pastor and the church. So it’s not hiring and it’s not marrying a spouse, but if I had to position it between hiring an employee and marrying a spouse, it would be closer to marrying a spouse than to hiring an employee.
You are inviting Josh and his family into your family. As church family you have just become larger and better by the infusion of the Wootton Family.
Lanelle once gave me an email her sister sent her and it said, “When you marry, you get the spouse you think you are getting, the spouse you are actually getting and the spouse he/she will become by marrying you.”
I think that is somewhat similar to calling a pastor. As the years go by, you will be improved by his leadership and he will be improved by you. EHBC has had some great pastors. You can make Josh the best you’ve ever had. Pray for him. Encourage him. Support him. Follow him.
I think churches often get it wrong. They think a pastor makes a church great. I think it’s the other way around: a church makes a pastor great. No pastor can ever be more effective than the church enables him to be. Again, make Josh Wootton the greatest pastor this church has ever had. If it is to be, it’s up to thee.
He Who Laffs Last
Unanswered Prayers
The preacher’s 5-year-old daughter noticed that her father always paused and lowered his head for a moment before starting his sermon. One day she asked him why.
“Well honey,” he began, proud that his daughter was so observant, “I’m asking the Lord to help me preach a good sermon.”
“How come He doesn’t answer it?” she asked.
Good Samaritan
A Sunday School teacher was telling her class the story of the Good Samaritan. She asked the class, “If you saw a person lying on the roadside all wounded and bloody, what would you do?”
A thoughtful little girl broke the silence, “I think I’d throw up.”
Continue to be prayerful, faithful, and patient.
Blessings, Dale!