An item of Praise!

The arrival of a pastor to a church is a transition, to say the least. On my part there is some work of preparation. Pondering the course one ought to bring to this church is perplexing, and a heavy burden. However, in the Lord's providence I was led to a book. The story goes along this line. A long time ago a young man was in a church I pastored. Eventually, in college the Lord brought the doctrines of Grace to his heart and mind. He went on to seminary and is now working towards his doctorate. Along the way he started writing a blog which I have been reading regularly. One of the many links on his blog site (http://www.consumedblog.blogspot.com/) is for http://www.9marks.com/, a site which I have found to be very edifying, guiding me to books by Mark Dever. I am now close to finishing The Deliberate Church: Building Your Ministry on the Gospel by Mark Dever and Paul Alexander, published by Crossway.

This book offers guidelines for moving one's church from a less healthy position to a spiritual healthier walk. As I read this book my soul was filled. Here, in these pages, is what I was looking for without knowing for sure what was on my heart. This book is not the Bible. While our church seeks to be based upon that greater book we may benefit from the struggles and walk of others who have gone before us. Praise the Lord for those who write edifying books.

I can not claim to have all the answers to such things as: what to teach in Sunday School or how to conduct a certain meeting, nor may I predict that all will be well in ten years for our church; however, an outline has been cast and I have peace with what the Lord has laid before me, before us.