Pastoral Selection Committee Report

This past Sunday, George McFarland gave a report for the Pastoral Selection Committee. Here is a copy of the report.

On behalf of the Pastoral Selection Committee, this morning I would like to update the congregation on the progress of the committee. The committee has been meeting on a fairly regular every other week basis since the end of April, and though it is still early in the process, we are meeting our goals, if not exceeding in some areas.

Several weeks ago in the evening service, Dr. Tripp gave us a practical formula for what we need as individuals. I think this also applies precisely to the place where we are at Tenth in our search for a Senior Minister. The equation went like this: DP (Divine Power) plus DC (Divine Compassion) equals EYN (Everything You Need). In this transition time, it is comforting to know that God has the power and all the resources to lead us to another senior minister. He, by his Spirit, is already working in that man’s heart to move him toward Tenth. We likewise believe that God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness, and certainly we feel as a committee inadequate to assume the task of making a right selection. Christ is Lord and King of his church and we are simply servants and vehicles that he will use to accomplish his will for Tenth. Coupled with his power is his great compassion. God cares for Tenth. He has not abandoned us – he is not mad at us. In the first half of the year, we learned through the sermons from Romans 8 of God’s great and abiding love for us. It is very assuring that God knows our needs far better than we can ever know ourselves.

All of this certainly does not mean that the committee has been inactive or in a “bunker mode.” No way at all. I have been encouraged by how well the committee is forming, the quality of our discussions we are having, and how well the process is moving forward. A Pastor Profile and a Church Profile have both been prepared and are online. As well, an application and a process have been approved and are available for prospective candidates. In later June, committee members Elder Brian Esterly and Rev. Carroll Wynne met with leading reformed/PCA men to solicit leading candidates that we might contact. These contacts provided a rich wealth of names and suggestions for Tenth. For much of August we will begin to screen the applications, as well as carefully review the names of those men provided to us. Beyond this work, the committee is committed to the “work” of prayer. Each member has contacted two prayer partners to join in praying for this weighty decision. We appreciate, too, the congregation’s continued support and prayer for this process. It is most encouraging when members contact us and assure us of their prayers.

During the past weeks I have been reading the account of the Kings of Israel and Judah in II Chronicles. During the time prior to King Asa, when Judah was “leaderless,” God gave him these encouraging words of comfort: “take courage. Do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded.” (II Chronicles 15:7) When the people of Judah and Israel “saw that the Lord was with him” they joined Asa. Through this man’s labors – putting away idols, repairing the altar – God brought about a great revival in Judah. In a somewhat similar fashion, we at Tenth are without a senior leader, and like Asa we can believe in God’s good hand in our lives, and at the same time be vigilant in searching out God’s direction for us. God’s promises, too, are the same to us as they were to Asa. He will strengthen our hands and reward our labors in due time. Take courage with us, pray for his enabling power, be confident in his great care for Tenth, and wait on the Lord to gift us with his best.