(Tim entered wearing Danny's clown shoes)
Well, Karen told me to wear what Danny would wear, so here you go! Thought this would be a good transition moment.
Actually, the video was kind of accurate. Karen did tell me that I could not wear my old comfortable shoes to church. Okay, so they’re a little worn, a little dirty, a little (sniff)…never mind. But they’re comfortable! These are some shoe that I have had for a couple of years now and they fit me good! I don’t have to tie or untie them. I just slip them on and off at will. But, she’s right – they are not ones that I need to wear today – but I get to keep them to mow the grass in.
I did have to look for a new pair of shoes the other day. I can be a little picky about picking them out too.
- Need to be good quality
- Need to fit my preference
- Need to feel good
- Need to be able to get the job done
This pair that I am putting on and a pair of Fila sneakers seemed to fit the requirements pretty well. The strange thing is that after I bought them, I began to see the similarity between buying new shoes and becoming the pastor at a new church. If you think about it, a pastor coming in to the church pretty much has to meet the same kind of requirements as a new pair of shoes:
- Need to be good quality
- Need to fit my preference
- Need to feel good
- Need to be able to get the job done
This morning, I am going to share with you my thoughts about becoming the pastor here at Sunrise. I have to admit, it can be a rather intimidating task. While you have graciously welcomed my family and me, for which I am extremely thankful, the job before me is monumental. I don’t know if you know this, but Sunrise is highly thought of in the community and in the conference. I have heard nothing but good things about you and have been utterly shocked with the number of people who know of the church. Which brings me back to why this is so intimidating – I don’t want to mess up a good thing for either of us.
As I was preparing for this message, I began thinking about another person who was faced with taking over a lead position – Joshua, who followed Moses. I want to read to you the account about Joshua being thrust into his new position. This will come from Joshua 1:1-9, which I will have up on the screen.
Joshua 1:1-9
1 After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses' aide: 2 "Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them--to the Israelites. 3 I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. 4 Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates--all the Hittite country--to the Great Sea on the west. 5 No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. 6 "Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. 7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."
(Prayer)
Although Joshua was put in charge of leading a whole nation into the Promised Land, for which they had been striving for well over forty years, I feel like I can relate with him just a bit. I ask that you allow me some leverage here as I paraphrase this text into how I see it in our situation.
1 After Danny Leonard had received the news that he would be moving, the Bishop said to Tim , husband of Karen and father to Katie and Emmy: 2 "Danny my servant is moving. Now then, you are going to Sunrise. There you and the good people there are to get ready to embark on a new venture into the communities that surround them. This is the area that God is entrusting to them. 3 I am giving you every opportunity to share the Love of Jesus every place where you set your foot. 4 Your area will extend from the intersection of Us 52 and University Parkway, and from the great river, the Yadkin--all the Forsyth County--to the great county line on the east. 5 No one will be able to stand up against you as long as you follow Christ. As God has been with Danny, so he will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. 6 "Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the masses of Forsyth County who have never known the saving grace of Jesus Christ. 7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the laws of God and the discipline of the Church; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Do not let the Great Commandment and Great Commission leave your heart or mind; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to follow the guidance. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Has not called you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."
Now, I know that this seems to be very much directed toward me, but that’s for a reason. Just as God had to give some reassurance to Joshua as he was about to take on a great responsibility as a new leader of God’s people, I need to hear those words of assurance as I begin my role here as your new pastor. This scripture forms my theological foundation. Next week, we will look at this transition from your point of view and give you a theological basis.
(Time was given for Q&A)
Okay, blog followers, do you have some questions you want to pose to me? I will try to answer them, but if I can’t, I’ll at least “cha-cha” for an answer.
(All messages posted here are rough sketches of the message given)
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