We have moved.

Last night I was tired, and woke up with a few muscles complaining about being overworked. We are back in East Machias today to pack some more things and to clean out the Mother-in-law apartment, which will be rented shortly. That adds another dimension to the work of this move.

Over all the move has good well. For weeks now I have been hauling things my wife has prepared for me to move. Some of the men in the church helped move in the heavy items.

Last evening we had a delicious supper brought for us.

Bobbi's mom will be having a room right with us, rather than her own apartment. This will be better for her but also will present some challenges. From her perspective, we are living in her house.

It is a warm day here in East Machias. Some friends are swimming in the river. I'll do a bit more work than join them for a while.

Thoughts on being Busy.

Commuting, moving items from our current home to the parsonage each trip to Princeton, family time, cutting wood, and other things have been bumped to a higher priority than writing this blog. Smoothly written sentences do not just flow from my fingers, so there is a bit of labor involved in posting on this blog.

We move next week.

This does not mean that I will be less busy, at least for a while. I am behind on building shelves, fencing in an area for the dog, and other important things.

Hopefully I'll start posting once a week tit-bits shortly.

^ESV Mat 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. ³⁴ "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

My ministry has begun!

April 30, 2008 at approximately 7pm prayer meeting begun with me leading the service. No fireworks could be seen or heard. Nor was there a group of protesters marching out front. We just met together for study and prayer.

My first request to the church for prayer was that God would enable me to carry out this ministry and secondly, that he would also give ears and a heart to his people to hear his word.

^ESV Act 6:4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word."

To God be the glory.

Leadership in the Church, part 2.

Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you. Heb 13:7,17 ESV

These two verses speak of specific duties that God has placed upon the leadership of the church. In order of appearance: leaders speak the Word of God to the people and they live a life, with faith, that is to be imitated. Leaders are to be obeyed and submitted to. Thus we conclude that they are in a place of some authority so than the giving of orders or at least the giving of good advice is in order. However, the context does not allow for arbitrary bossiness. The ministry of God's word is ultimately the foundation for this call to obedience. As the leaders are setting an example with their own lives of a life submitted to God's Word, the reader ought not to be able to charge the leadership with hypocrisy, rather the life of the leadership ought to stimulate respect because of its godliness. This statement to submit is connected to two others: the leaders keep watch over your souls, and they do so, administer this charge, as being held accountable. The verse ends with a charge to the reader, one under the authority of the church leadership, to let the leaders do this job of soul protecting with joy, not with groaning, for it does you no good to cause trouble for your leaders.

A calling into church leadership is fearsome. We are watching over souls. The teaching, as well as our lives, is not just to be about teaching the Word because it is so wonderful, or the teaching itself is a intellectual stimulating exercise. A connection must be established between the teaching of the Word and the souls who are being watched over. The Word is to be aimed at these souls.

Truly, the leadership can not know the whole congregation so well as to have every sermon or every conversation arranged to meet all the needs of each soul. We are after all very human ourselves. However, with the blessing of the Spirit of God souls will find all that they need in the ministry of God's Word.

In saying this I am emphasizing the likelihood of these verses finding fulfillment, it can be done, just not in and of ourselves. Yet, the care, not just to some vague group of souls, but to specific individuals, ought to influence what I teach and how I live my life, for God has placed these souls in my hands.

According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw- each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.

1Co 3:10-15 (ESV)

Leadership in the Church.

^ESV 1 Corinthians 12:27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. ²⁸ And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. ²⁹ Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? ³⁰ Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? ³¹ But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.

In three and a half weeks I shall become the pastor of a church. Does this mean that I will become the leader of the church? And just what do we mean by leader?

The Princeton Baptist Church has been without a pastor for only six month or so. Not a very long time. In this time the church has not fallen apart. The deacons continue to lead the church along with the interim pastor. The church continues to worship, to serve the Lord and to serve each other.

After I arrive on the church staff (the only paid staff member as far as I am aware) the present deacons will continue to lead the church. The interim pastor and his wife have now joined the church and will be a regular part of its fellowship during the nice, warm months of the year. He will be active with the leadership and the teaching in the church.

On my part I look forward to working with these men. They are godly. They have various gifts. I see the potential of a wonderful working relationship as we seek to service the Lord together. We are rich, and greatly blessed.

My desire is not to push these men out of leadership or move them to the back burner, out of the sight of the church. Rather, I hope to keep them before the church as the leadership that the church has confidence in, with the hope that, in the Lord, we will lead God's people in love and truth. Two of several benefits of having multiple people in leadership is that, if the major decisions are made as a group, than the pastor can not be seen as the one running the church. Also, the collective wisdom of the body of leaders may counter some of the short-sightedness, sinfulness, and other failures of the pastor.

All those in leadership and otherwise, must place ourselves under Christ's authority for we all must give an account unto him. As the pastor I have chiefly accountable to the Great Shepherd for my shepherding. Thus I praise God for a wise and godly group of advisers who desire that Christ might be glorified as the Lord and Head of His Body.

May Christ be praised for his wonderful gifts.

The centrality of the Word.

^ESV Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

This verse is often thought of in applications to the individual believer. Here are three ways that it may apply to the local church.

First, the pastor is to be living this verse. God's word is to guide his own life both in his personal walk and in his duties as a pastor. The wishes, desires and needs of the congregation are not to be his light. Also, his own wishes, desires or needs must not become the light for the church. Yes, the congregation is paying his salary but he is working for someone else, and is to walk in His light.

Secondly, the believers who make up the local church are subject to the light of God's word as much as the pastor is. There is no verse stating something like: “You are not a professional Christian like the pastor, just stay sort of near the light and you will be fine.” God is light and He requires all of his children to walk in the light so that we might be like him in this world. (See 1 John.)

Lastly, the leadership of the church along with the congregation as a whole are to make the Word of God their light together. There is to be no dichotomy between the individual's walk in the light of God's word and that of the cooperate body. What light does traditions and pragmatism offer to the church that is lacking in God's word? All that comes into the church ought be be there because God's Light is shining upon it.

While living in this flesh we will not walk by the light of God's Word perfectly. I recently heard part of a discussion on a Christian radio station regarding how blind Christians are regarding the imprint of their culture upon themselves. In the context they were advocating a knowledge of church history to help counter some of this blindness. Well enough, this indeed may be very helpful. However, the ultimate correction for my life, for other believers and for the local church must be the light of the God's Word.

A pastor is to be about the Word; seeking it's light, walking in it's light and pouring out that Light into the people of God and to the world. The church is to seek the Word to no less extent.

Nothing else will do.

To the glory of God.

Amen.

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.

What do the titles of my blog and those in its address signify?

I would love to say that I put a lot of deep thought and prayer into these, however, I did not. Some time ago I secured a gmail account so that I could comment easily on a daughter's blog. At that time I also set up a blog. Much time passed before I started this blog, in the meanwhile I confess that I had forgotten the name of the blog and the address. I had to search to find it.

However, after reflection, I have with satisfaction accepted theses titles.

Growing.

As a believer I inspire to never stop growing. As a pastor I should never stop growing. As a student of the Word I would never stop growing. In 2 years or 10 years or 30 years I ought, by God's grace, to be more godly, have a better understanding of the Gospel and God's word, and have greater skill and wisdom in applying it to my own life as well as to the lives of others.

Others whom I minister the Word to/with, again by God's grace, will be growing in their likeness of Christ.

If the above is true than the church ought to be growing. This is not an assumption of numerical growth, while with God's blessing this might take place. A more important aspect of church growth would be that the whole would be united in faith, knowledge and service of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Lord, may this be so.

The website address: http://sonlight-dad.blogspot.com/ is a combination of a couple of titles.

First I am a father, and so 'dad'. As mentioned above, I acquired this account particularly to comment on my daughter's blog, so titled myself 'dad'. However, now that I will be having millions, if not billions, of people reading this – soon. I have dropped 'dad' as my signature and adopted my name: “Al”. This should eliminate some confusion.

Secondly, the term 'Sonlight' is from my business name: Sonlight Creations. My wife and I took this name for a couple of reasons. First, we live in Washington County, Maine. One of the first places in the continental USA to receive the light of the sun each day. We do our work in the day, well, sometimes late into the night, but the day is for working. We rejoice in the time to work that God has given us, and the provisions for life that come from the sun.

However, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is the light of the world, and is our light. His light is far greater than that of the light coming from the sun. We would live in the light he provides in His Word, the Bible. So over the years, with a great deal of imperfection on our part, we have set our hearts on building our lives, our marriage, family, and our business upon his Word, i.e. to walk in his light, and thus give glory to him.

I would like to comment on two aspects of glorifying God. As the light of the sun gives life to the world so the light of the Son is what gives life to his Kingdom. Therefore, the first aspect is in receiving and growing due to the 'energy' Christ's light supplies. The second aspect is simply acknowledging that all of our lives, everything that we do, is done through the strength and blessings that He supplies. If I show love for my wife, it is because of and through Him. If I turn a useful and beautiful bowl he must be praised. If I open the Scriptures so that others may be fed, to him be the glory. If I am alive today it because he holds my life together.

ESV Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
130 The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.
ESV Revelation 21:23 And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb.
24 By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it,

God is calling me.

How does one know that God has called them to serve as pastor/teacher of a certain church?

As this is not an exhaustive study of the topic I will seek to answer this from my own experience. A subjective response, if you would.

Upon hearing of the Princeton Church’s need for a pastor my first response was that I was doing well with my woodturning and that I did not wish to make a change at this point in my life. Each year the income and skill level has been growing, this year would be a good year, Lord willing! I enjoy turning, as well as, to some extent, the selling process. Yet, I believe that over the years God has shown that I have a gift of teaching, and I do meet the standards of godliness put forth in 1 Tim. 3 and Titus 1. An awareness of this opening in Princeton was always present with me. Further, our Tuesday evening Bible study group was just finishing the book of Judges at the time. An additional nagging thought was: would I be cowardly or hesitant in respects to stepping forward as some of the judges had been? I determined that I would not be like that, and therefore I gave the deacons at Princeton Baptist a letter asking to be considered for this position.

The Lord has graciously allowed me to have joy and peace in my heart regardless of the prospective outcome of this step. If the Lord closed this door I would take this as His will, likewise, if He opened this door for me that too would be an indication of His will. Thus I was able to approach the messages and interviews with a freedom to teach and speak what I believed. I was not doing this to please man.

Two aspects of ministry have pulled at my soul. Seemingly these are opposites, yet I think a case may be made that these two elements complement each other in the service of the Lord. First, I have never felt so unworthy and unqualified to look after the souls of others and to teach the Word of God. At times the urge to run away from the responsibilities of this service has been strong. Countering this has been the knowledge that I am most likely in the position of being the most qualified I have ever been for this task. I have, by God’s grace, a wisdom, strength and knowledge of the Word and the task of ministering that I did not have in the past. There is in my heart a sense of the man that God has been making. I don’t think this is arrogance, but is simply taking an honest look at the work of God in a person, in this case, in me. (Rom. 12:3) As this is God’s work, my understanding of my inadequacies are good and proper. May this remain until I die! Yet this is God’s work, and therefore I must press on with fear and trembling for it is God who is at work both in the willing and in the doing. (Phil. 2:12,13)

Lastly, I have had over the years people who have thought I was total off base and that I should not be in a position to teach – period. However, I have also had people who prayed with thanksgiving for God’s continued blessing upon my teaching ministries. I have not counted to see which side would have the most votes. Paul was faced with such issues from time to time. His response: ^ESV 1 Corinthians 4:2 Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy. ³ But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. ⁴ I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me.

It is the Lord who judges me.

My prayer: Lord, may I be a faithful servant of yours.

On February 9th, 2008, the Princeton Baptist Church in Princeton, Maine voted to call me as their pastor. I have official accepted. This will be my story. Or, to say it in a better way, this will be an account of the work of God in a man in a small town in Eastern Maine.

I will assume the position May 1. After school is over in June I, along with my wife, Bobbi, our daughter, Lydia and my mother-in-law, Shirley, will be moving to Princeton.

My grand plan for this blog is to post something at least once a week that relates to my growth as a believer, as pastor and of this church in such a way that God might be glorified and his people edified.