Tuesday, August 28, 2012

An Awesome Staff

So, I thought about my first actual topic and here are some things that came to mind.


1) The real qualifications of deacons.
2) The problem with judgment in the church.
3) Facebook.  Ministry Tool or Tool of the Devil?
4) An Awesome Staff


Probably all of those will make this blog one day.  But, which one do you think brings God the most glory?  Well, I thought about it and came to the conclusion that the last option was best.  Not because I'm afraid of the other three.  I'm not!  God clearly deals with those in scripture and if He included it in His Word, it needs to be preached.  But, I'm in a "give out some thanksgiving" kind of mood, so I want to talk about the staff at Tabernacle.

--
Pastor Bobby Thompson - Senior Pastor

     Pastor Bobby is a "tell it like it is" kind of guy.   Sometimes that can be hard to swallow, but you always know where he's coming from.  The greatest part about Pastor Bobby, however, is his heart.  When you take time to sit down and talk to the Pastor, you find that his spirit is humble and his heart is big.  Do we agree on everything.  No.  Does every conversation go smoothly?  Most do, but not every single one.  Does he do things sometimes that make me mad?  Of course, he's human.  And I know I drive him crazy sometimes as well.  But, thank God for grace.  Grace that allows us to look beyond our human faults and see the common bond of Christ in us.  To be able to be passionate about Jesus and His church and be a part of God's ministry, is a blessing and honor.  And to work with a Pastor, whose vision comes from the mercy seat, is awesome in itself.  So, if you haven't made time to sit down and talk with him, go do it. He loves the Lord and he loves you. His heart beats for the things of God and it beats to take us to the next big wave that got has sent. Trust me when  I say, one on one is so much better than a quick "how do you do" as you pass him in the hall.

Pastor Randy McDuffie - Worship Pastor

     Pastor Randy would probably be mad if he knew I referred to him as Pastor in this blog, even though that's what he is.  His humility is probably the greatest of anyone on staff and his heart even bigger.  But, I don't have to worry because, unless someone prints this out or pulls it up on his computer he won't see it.  Trust me.  He doesn't even save contacts in his phone. He carries a notepad around like he's working a crime scene in Miami!   When I'm stressed or need to vent, Randy's always quick to lend an ear and a verse.  He always says, "you already know this, but the Bible says...." It's funny, but Randy's like a father and brother to me.  Quick to lend a hand, fix what you've broken, visit someone in the hospital (regardless of the distance) and make sure someone who's lost, hears about Jesus.  I don't know what TBC would be like without Randy, but I'm sure it wouldn't be what it is now.

Pastor Madison Herrin - Student Ministry Pastor

    Pastor Madison is a newly ordained member of our staff, but he's not new to TBC.  Formally a deacon, he was called to youth ministry this year and many are better for it, including me.  When our former Youth Pastor left to heed the call in Kentucky, I sat in our living room with my wife.  With tears in my eyes as we talked about him leaving, she said, "well, you always have Madison."  No one can replace Dusty, which is why we keep in touch every few weeks, but Madison's friendship has been an enormous blessing.  There is nothing I'd rather do in the church than teach.  Preaching, comes in at a very close second, because of their similarities, but if anything comes in third it would be laugh and make others laugh.  Laughing is such a gift from God and we do it often.  There's something to be said for going to "work" every day and knowing you're gonna have a good chuckle before 9.

Jessica Boaen  - Pastor Bobby's Ministry Assistant

    Jessica is another one whose humility will cause her to give me a dirty look for posting this.  She, unlike Randy, knows her way around a computer (and thank God for her Microsoft Office skills!), so chances are, she will see this. (Sorry Jess!)  I call her Ministry Assistant.  I'm not sure what her title is, because she's a Jill of All Trades, but regardless, she's the one behind the pictures, notes and slides on Sunday's.  Not only that, she's the one who I get to hijack  multiple times a week to help in my office. Not only does she help out where needed, but she tends to work hard at encouraging me.  Just today, as I fought with my printer that wouldn't print (it needed a static IP.....thank God for Bill Blair) she kept making little comments and when I would chuckle she'd say, "glad I could get a smile out of ya."   It brightened my afternoon, which needed to be lifted up a tad.    She might be Pastor's Bobby's assistant on paper, but she willingly assists anyone in need.  She wants no recognition, in fact she shies away from it.  But, my friend has quite a number of treasures stored in Heaven. Many more than most, I daresay.


Karen Wickstrom - Church Secretary

  When I first came to Tabernacle, I was told she was called The Warden.  I assumed it was because she was mean, grouchy and always yelling at people.  (That's the way my warden was in prison, or maybe that was on tv, I get confused a lot).  Anyway, the Warden is quite the opposite.  Aside from backing into my car my first week on the job, Karen has always been a blessing.  She doesn't complain when I ask her to do something.  She doesn't get mad when I get confused or forget to turn something in.  If she says she's going to do it, she does it.  Her work ethic is by far greater than anyone I know and she brings Glory and Honor to God by her efforts.  Despite what some might think, she doesn't just answer phones and sip coffee all day.  She's one of the hardest, if not THE hardest, worker there.  And unless she's been on some meds for a cold or we just hired a new staff member and she's working on their payroll, she's always chipper and smiling.

There are others who work hard, but these are the paid staff members who show up day in and day out.

I leave myself out of this, because it would not only be arrogant to write about myself like that, but this isn't about me, except for what blessings I receive as a result of these people.

Now, here's where I get into trouble, but if I don't say it, none of these good servants will.

To the church, personnel team, finance committee, decons and anyone else interested:

    I'm sorry, but most of you don't know what you have. Maybe individuals do, but as a whole, you just don't know.  This team, has got to be the best team any church in this association could have.  These people work tirelessly, day in and day out, to make sure everything is ready for the next service or event.  Their jobs are to equip the saints for the works of the ministry and they do it well.

They get paid!

Yes, yes they do.  And they've paid for themselves by March of each year.  I tell you, until one takes time to get to know each of these staff members personally, one can't appreciate the true blessing God has presented to the people of His church.  Now, don't get me wrong.  This isn't a "get on your toes" kind of blog post. It's a THANK YOU JESUS for what you've given us, kind of post. These staff members are just as blessed to serve God by serving you!  And I promise they feel that way!  We all do.   But, take time to thank them.  Love on them.  Let them know how much you care. (a connection card to them works wonders)  The devil is working overtime to drag your leaders down.  You're the greatest weapon that God will use against that, so go and be used.

Tabernacle Baptist Church is an AMAZING place to worship, serve, and grow.  But, some days are harder for your staff members than others.

Let me make one thing clear.  I'm not asking you do this for me.  If you want to, wait about six months and then come tell me you love me =).  I truly want you to do this for them.  If you trust me, and love me, then all I want you to do is heed what I'm saying.  Because, I count myself truly blessed to work with this group and I want you to know how blessed we (the church) are.

-Pastor Chester











  




















A 3rd Blog?

A third blog? Really??

Yes, I know.  It seems a little silly to have a third blog.  But, the first one is an archive...of like 4 posts, lol.  The second one is primarily used for Children's Ministry, which I don't have a whole lot to say about CM, because anything I need to say, I tweet or say it at church.  And three is definitely a pretty cool number, complete and everything in a very Holy way.  But, either they changed how this thing works or I'm getting old and forgetful. I can't remember how to post this in the intro at the top, so it becomes my first blog post.

Why?

Because, it's free!  No, seriously, because finally I've figured out what it is I want.   I don't want a blog that says, "hey, I'm the connections pastor (which I'm not now, so it's good that I don't want one.) and I don't want one that says "I'm the acting children's pastor," for my random thoughts.  No, I want one that says, "It doesn't matter where I Pastor, what role I play, or what church I represent.  This is my blog, Pastor Chester's, and it is for the reading as well as the disregarding."   So, until I feel froggy and do it again, this is my 3 of 3.

Are you mad?

No, I'm tired.

Why don't you go to sleep?

Because, I'm too busy creating a new blog.

Why does this blog sound like an interview?

Because I'm schizophrenic (and so am I).   No I'm not.  I (he means "we") thought it would be a different way to write.  I usually think (even when I'm preaching) what kinds of questions could the people listening/reading be wondering right now.  I usually answer them when I preach, so I thought I'd do it here.

Did you have to look the spelling of schizophrenic up?

Yes, yes I did. 

Anything else?

Nope.  I'm ready to start my next topic.


-Pastor Chester