Early Morning Reflections...

As I reflect on all that has transpired in my life this year, I can't help but to still ask the question, "Why me?" I could write a long list of things that would be considered blessings, and I could equally list burdens that I had to deal with as well. In the end, my conclusion is...Why NOT me. My convictions is the sovereignty of God is that, NOTHING catches HIM by surprise and that He's in control of every detail in my life. This makes me confident. Not in my ability, resources, intellect, but in HIM. I've been in situations just this year where none of those things have helped me. God is the source of everything for me. 

I'm in a good place in my life. Not because things are all good in every aspect of my life, but because I have the comforting assurance that He's got everything under control. As I am writing, it dawns on me that today marks 6 months of service at Shiloh. I still can't believe God placed me there. But I do thank Him for putting me there to "Connect. Grow. Serve." What a great group of people, and to serve alongside Pastor Charles is a privilege words can't describe. It has been a joy serving, and I look forward to many more years of service with this wonderful congregation.

But I also thank God for orchestrating life in such as way that only He knows and we can trust. People ask me all the time do I miss Philippi. The answer is a resounding YES! I miss them, and they're always in my prayers. For me, Philippi was more than a Pastoral assignment, it was the church I was raised in for much of my childhood. They will always be in my heart. I thank God for allowing me to serve His people there, and I'm grateful to know that He still has His hands on them with their new Pastor. As I digress.

Today also marks the birthday of a great friend gone too soon, Adrienne D.M. Rogers. I have always been told that if you can look at your hand and count 5 real friends on them, you are blessed. Adrienne was one of those friends. She was an amazing personality and I've been blessed to know her. FAMU afforded me a great education, leadership training/development, but more than that, great friends. People who have made an impact in my life to this day and Adrienne tops the list. She is truly missed. 

I thought much about 2012 resolutions. Things I want to accomplish, achieve, experience, attain. And as I began to compile my list, the overriding thought that consumed me was just wanting to know that I'm where I'm suppose to be in all aspects of life. So my list is written in pencil, and God has the eraser. He knows how to make sure I keep the resolutions beyond January 2...

Lord, I'm available to you...

Sunday evening reflections. Grateful to God for so many reasons, but I'll share this weekend's events.

Yesterday, I facilitated a workshop entitled, "A Passion For Teaching." This workshop was inspired by Mr. Allan Taylor aka "Mr. Sunday School" Pastor of Christian Education of First Baptist Church Woodstock, in Woodstock, Ga. I have been a fan from afar of his work and ministry and thankful that earlier this year I was finally able to meet him in person and we've built a bond ever since. If you're serious about wanting to grow you Sunday School, Allan is the man!

I had much nervousness about this assignment because many and most of the Bible Study Fellowship (Sunday School) teachers are educators by profession. What could I teach teachers I thought? Over the past few weeks of preparation, I had decided that I would give it my best and leave everything up to God.

The response was overwhelming. There were 70+ teachers (current and prospective) in attendance. What they did not know was that for some strange reason, Friday night, I lost ALL of my notes, and spent the entire night and early morning re-writing my notes for this workshop. The only sleep I got was from my house to the church.

We had an amazing (but long) day. We covered topics such as: "A Pledge to Teach," "Perfecting the Teacher," "Philosophy of Teaching," & "Principles of Teaching." The attendees were very attentive and excited about the information and the direction Pastor Charles wants to see this vital ministry go as we use Bible Study Fellowship as the primary means disciple-making within our church. It was a great time of study, encouragement, and fellowship. I learned a lot, and my prayer is that each of those in attendance learned a lot as well.

After the session, got very encouraging comments, emails, phone calls about the workshop which was humbling in many regards. I'm still in awe of the fact that God chose me for this assignment. I thank Pastor Charles for giving me this opportunity to share with our teachers. 

I pray that all of our members will commit themselves to a BSF class starting this Fall as we grow people. Our goal as a church is to become "larger and smaller" at the same time and this will be accomplished through our small group life within the church. 

To God be the glory.

On another note: Great worship today. Pastor Charles began a 2-part series on "Symbols of Salvation." "What We Believe About Baptism" was the message for today. Next week, "What We Believe About the Lord's Supper." 

The choir took me back with "Lord, I'm available to you." I remember singing this song as a child. Those words resonated with me on today as I reflected on God's goodness in my life. I just want to be used by Him. For His glory only. 

May God continue to give us all a greater sense of purpose in pursuing a life that's pleasing to Him. 

Use me Lord...

Pinch Hitter

Today I had the privilege of preaching to the Shiloh Church family as our Pastor was away preaching in England. I remember when he mentioned to me shortly after I began this new ministry assignment to mark August 14, 2011 down to preach. I told Pastor Charles on many occasions that I wasn't looking to preach at all, just consider me to "Bible Teacher in Residence." Being such an admirer of how Pastor Charles handles the Word of God I was more than content with being able to sit under his ministry in this new role for me.

He threw me a curve ball a few weeks ago and had me preach a Wednesday in the Word on 7/27, which I got him back in my introduction about him not being there. But I was grateful for opportunity to share the Word with Shiloh.

I had a very trying and eventful week and wasn't sure if I was able to stand to proclaim God's Word during today's worship services. I was committed to the task, and asked for the Lord's strength during both services.

We spoke from a familiar passage in Mark 2 with the story of the Paralytic and the 4 Friends. I was always reminded in preaching from familiar passages of Scripture to attempt to approach it from an unusual way. E.K. Bailey says "treat the Word of God like a diamond. In that are you turn it you're able to view more and more prisms shining through." I was encouraged in my preparation, and I pray that God was pleased during my proclamation. I appreciate all the kinds words, emails, texts, and calls I received after service. Very uplifting indeed. Shiloh truly is a church with an affinity for God's Word. What a blessing it was to share with them.

I'm learning more and more that Shiloh is a "small church in a big building." By that I mean that while there are a lot of members, they really do make you feel at home. Danielle and I have been recipients of great kindness and hospitality from day one with our new church family.

Some members from Philippi surprised me during the worship service today. Great to see all of them. I promptly sent them back to Philippi to catch the rest of the service being given by their new Pastor, Stavius Powell.

Praying for our Pastor's safe return home and thanking him for giving me a chance at "bat" today. I only "bunted" but God was at the plate with me and that's all that matters.

To God Be the Glory.

Lord, I Want To Be Like Joseph...

I'll never forget 4 years ago, my then Pastor (Rev. Kelly E. Brown, Jr.) encouraged me to attend the E.K. Bailey Expository Preaching Conference if I ever got the chance. I had become a fan of expository preaching, and his advice was to make this conference an annual calendar date so that I could be exposed some of the country's greatest practitioners of the craft. July 2009 was my first experience, and I've been attending ever since.

The conference this year was different for me in many ways. Most notably, I was attending the conference, as Pastor of Christian Education of Shiloh MBC NOT Pastor of Philippi MBC. Colleagues I've met over the few years at the conference shared with me their encouragement and excitement of my new assignment and prayed God's choice blessings upon my new work. I was greatly encourage by the kind words expressed from all of the brethren.

In deciding what classes to take this year, I was intrigued by the workshop entitled, "What Every Associate Minister Should Know" being taught my Pastor Stephen G. Brown. Pastor Brown has spent the last 15 years on staff of the Concord Church, and the Lord blessed him this past February in being called to Senior Pastor ministry of the Greater Bethlehem MBC there in Dallas, Texas. I felt that I would be able to glean some great nuggets of wisdom from someone who has been an Associate for such a long time. I was in for a treat.

He introduced the class by having us look at the life of Joseph. The story of a man who had found favor with the Lord by being a good steward over another man's property/responsibilities. In the context of Joseph's life, Rev. Brown reminded us of how we (associates) treat another man's ministry, will directly affect how God blesses our ministries as well. From Potipher's House, to inside the Prison walls, even all the way to the Pharaoh's Palace, Joseph wasn't looking to make a name for himself, he simply made better his leader's stuff. He found favor with God because of his commitment to the task with which God assigned him to. He found favor with man because everything he did, was done in a spirit of humility.

That resonated with me seeing as though, my new ministry assignment transition would be deemed "unusual" to many. Seeing as though I've gone from being a Pastor of a local congregation, to now serving under a Pastor, as a Staff Pastor. Many have questioned as to why would I do something like that at all. This post isn't designed to "explain" myself, other than the fact that I have no doubt this was the Lord's doing. As this assignment wasn't anything I knew about nor was searching for.

But it made me think about my desire to want to be like Joseph. My task isn't to outshine the Pastor. Undermine or undercut him in pursuit of looking "good" in front of the congregation. I simply want to do the assignment with which God has entrusted into my hands. To help serve the ministry as best I can, while giving God the glory, and helping Pastor's vision for the ministry become a reality.

This is also a PSA for current ministers: Don't spend your time trying to make yourself look good at the expense of making your Pastor look bad. You may can preach better, or you may think you're ready to take the helm, but before you can lead, be comfortable with following.

In too many churches, the Pastor is the central and only figure people recognize in the church. So every aspiring preacher wants to be the Pastor feeling as though without that title, no one will take you or your calling seriously. I'm here to encourage some preacher to NOT follow that line of thinking. God has uniquely gifted all of us for ministry, but we must know and be comfortable in the place where God as gifted us and being the Senior Pastor isn't always the place we should be.

Lord, I want to be like Joseph. Comfortable with wherever you place me so that I can be used for your glory. May each of us, whether preachers, or lay persons, embody some of the characteristics of this faithful, humble, and dedicated servant of God.

First Day's Reflection...

So much I want to say right now, as my thoughts, feelings, emotions are so scattered. I thought about whether or not should I even blog about what's going on in my life right now, but decided to share.

God has a way of showing Himself in our lives that often times we never see coming. Trust is the key, and obedience unlocks the door to a world of possibilities and blessings that we can never dream of. Today was for me the start of a new beginning in ministry as I joined the Shiloh Metropolitan Baptist Church as their new Pastor of Christian Education. I believe I've shared this before, but I'll reiterate again: this was a God-orchestrated moment. One that I whole-heartedly believe is ALL for His glory.

This process has been (and is) one of faith, trust, and obedience. I'm thankful to the few that have been praying with (and for) me during this time of prayer, counsel, advice, as I sought God's Will for my life. Some felt this move was a "no-brainer," given both the popularity of Pastor H.B. Charles, and the size of the Shiloh Church. That anyone in their "right mind," would jump on this opportunity for ministry. I didn't feel that crowds sentiments. I felt that I would rather remain at Philippi MBC IN the WILL of God, than to join the staff of Shiloh MBC and be OUTSIDE the Will of God. The past few months have taught me more lessons on prayer than the whole of my Christian journey.

Needless to say, I am ever confident this is the Lord's doing and for that, HE gets ALL of the glory. I thank God for Pastor Charles being obedient to God's leading, and the leadership and people of Shiloh to be receptive to the vision he has for the Shiloh Church. I'm overwhelmed with the reality of the fact that God could've (and should've by some accounts) chosen anyone, but I'm ever more grateful that HE chose me. 

My first day on campus will be one that I will not ever forget. From the warm welcome from my fellow co-laborers in Christ, to Pastor Charles praying for me with my fellow Staff Pastors. To the Edible Arrangement display (that I'm eating as I type), to the many well wishes and blessings from family, friends, Shiloh members, AND Philippi members on today. Hearing (and reading) the words from you all made this young preacher feel special. I thank God for the people He's placed in my life, and grateful that in spite of me, HE still loves me.

A long road ahead, with much work to be done for His Glory. I'm just excited that I'm able to be apart of it, in this unique albeit aspect of ministry. I solicit your continued prayers as I settle in here at Shiloh. That all we accomplish as a church will be for His glory and not vain ambition, conceit, or rivalry. Remembering 1st Corinthians 10:31, "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." (ESV)

Soli Deo Gloria

An Honorable Discharge: An Ode to Philippi

With such a busy schedule the past few weeks, I didn't get a chance to organize my thoughts concerning this past weekend. What can I say other than TO GOD BE THE GLORY! This moment still feels surreal to me on so many levels.

As many of you know I celebrated my 3rd Pastoral Anniversary as Pastor of Philippi MBC over this past weekend. I thank God for 3 great years of serving His people. What some of you may not be aware of, was that this past weekend was also my last weekend of serving as Philippi's Pastor.

God has ended my time and tenure with the people of Philippi and has given me a new assignment. I am eternally grateful to the people of the Philippi family as you know I've been apart of this congregation for 20+ years. Joining this fellowship at the age of 9 when they called my father, Rev. John Perry as her 2nd Pastor. So much has grown since that time, and I was very shocked when I got the call 3 years ago when I was informed that I was chosen to be her 3rd Pastor.

These past 3 years have been nothing short of amazing, and I have learned so much about myself during this time of leading God's people. Philippi has and will always hold a special place in my heart as a people who love God, love His Word, and love one another.

Thank you again Philippi for loving me and serving with me these past few years. I thank you for accepting me, flaws and all and how encouraging this experience to serve you has been for me and my ministry. As you know, this decision wasn't easy to end our time together in ministry. But I take total comfort in knowing that this is GOD's doing. With the same faith, trust, hope, assurance I've been preaching and teaching about these past 3 years, I take it all to heart as God has given me a change of assignments.

I'm humble and joyful of your responses, words of encouragement, prayers, and excitement during this time of transition for me and Danielle. Your love for God, and growth in Christ has encouraged me greatly during this time. I'm proud to say I've pastored such a great group of Christians. I am also excited about the direction the ministry will go under the leadership of your next Pastor, Rev. Stavius L. Powell. A man of faith, with a humble spirit and a love for God's Word, Will, & Way. It further encourages me in how you handle this transition which further let's me know that this is the LORD's doing. I pray that you love, support, follow, and serve with Pastor Powell with the even more enthusiasm, commitment, devotion, and honor that you have with and for me.

I ask that you continue to keep me and Danielle in prayer as we embark on this next season of ministry. That we remain even the more faithful to this assignment in ministry as we have with each of you. All praises belong to God and God alone.