You are Not the Sun

In the early 1500’s an astronomer named Nicolaus Copernicus proposed a new view of the universe that stated the earth was NOT the center of the universe. For centuries the view was held by scientist and church leaders alike that the earth was the focal point of the universe. This view was so strongly held that Galileo who championed the Copernicanism was declared a dangerous heretic by the Catholic Church. Galileo was eventually forced to recant his heliocentrism and spent the last years of his life under house arrest on orders of the inquisition.

It is difficult for us to even imagine a world like that. However, the reality is that we created our own form of a geocentric universe. We could not help ourselves. We created such a universe because we need it. You do not have any memories of the beginning of such a creation because you and I were just infants.

As a parent, I have experienced the creation of this highly focused universe when my children were born. Life revolved around them and their needs, their comfort, their safety. We understand that for a period of time our children will be in this dependent and egocentric world. However, the time does come when we expect them to mature and develop a worldview that includes others as important as themselves. It is frustrating and irritating if a child remains in this self-centered way of thinking when they reach adulthood. They just become a large baby!
In Philippians 2 Paul says “Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” A mature Christian is one who is not enamored with themselves, their needs, their way, but one who actively looks to discover and then meet the needs of others.

Here are some reflective questions.

1. Do I spend and inordinate amount of time focused on meeting my needs?
2. Who are the last five people that I went out of my way to help in some tangible way?
3. Do I practice using my spiritual eyes to see beneath the surface of others to deep needs?
4. Do I pray on a daily basis that God will provide me opportunity to connect with someone who needs a loving act?

Pastoral Installation Covenant Statement

My Covenant statement to Windsor Assembly of God

Official Pastoral Installation

Sunday, September 30, 2007

1. My first and primary commitment is to Jesus Christ, my Lord and my Savior. I commit to you that I will spend time in continuing to build and develop my intimacy with God. I will not let anything rob me of time that belongs to Him. I will seek His face, study His word, and be sensitive to the Holy Spirit so as to stand here on this platform to deliver His perfect word for you-- not my opinions, not some hot topic, not some reformatted words from someone else.
   2. My second commitment is to my wife of 38 years, Glenda. She has stood by me through good and bad times, through times of great joy and times of great sorrow. I commit to you, sweetheart, that the church will never become the “other woman.” You will receive from me the honor due to you as my wife, my life’s companion, and the mother of my children. I will not just give you left over time, energy, and attention. We have built a wonderful life together and have made a lot of memories. The best is yet to come. Thanks for resisting the pressure over the years to be conformed to others’ expectations for what it means to be the pastor’s wife and instead being what I need the most, my greatest cheerleader.
   3. My third commitment is to my family. I am so very proud of all of you. You bring us great joy as we watch and listen and see you becoming all God wants you to be. Your mom and I made a promise to you that we would not let you become PK (preacher’s kid) statistics, that we would never sacrifice you on some manmade altar of ministry. It was not always an easy choice and was not always embraced. However, we did it! You will always be our very best and closest friends. To my grandsons, Jake and Lawson, Bonka and Nama love you! You make us laugh and fill our hearts with love.
   4. Church family, our commitments to you start with our promise to be people of integrity. That starts with living in such a way that you know what it means to be godly people, a godly family, and a godly spouse. The first three commitments are our greatest gift to you. If we can somehow be a small influence in your life so that you can truly say that we have taught you about real life, we will feel good about our time with you all. We don’t want to “wow” you with how much we know if we cannot first in some small way show you the way.
   5. Second, we will pray for you on a regular basis.
   6. Third, we will be with you in the time of crisis. I am not a Sunday only pastor. If you need me, call. If I am not available, I will call you back as soon as possible. Do not let the grapevine be the way I hear about you and your difficult time. Please do not be embarrassed by whatever it is that is happening.
   7. Fourthly, I will always “speak the truth in love.” Part of loving you may be for me to share from my heart something you do not want to hear. I promise to be gentle, but at the same time I must be direct. If you ask me my opinion, you will get it. I will never agree with any choice you make that is not biblical! “It will hurt me more than it hurts you.”
   8. Lastly, I commit to leading Windsor Assembly of God into the exciting future God has planned for us. It will be exciting, energizing, and a whole lot of fun!
   
   Ephesians 3:20 reads, “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, 21 to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.”