Develop Other Preachers

I love to preach. Preaching is my jam.

Personally, my personal time with the Lord in scripture is always different from what I’m preaching through on a Sunday at Storehouse McAllen. In my personal bible study, it’s great communion with God and a great time of prayer and reflection. But when I turn to study the passage I’m preaching on, I let all of the nerd out. I love studying God’s word and I love preaching God’s word to my church. And as much as I love studying, teaching, and preaching I need to remember that I need to be taught and I need to sit under sound preaching too.

In my short experience, I have seen many pastors crave the pulpit and turn it into an unhealthy platform for their own personal gain while at the same time suppressing other aspiring preachers. I don’t want to do that. I need to remember that just as personal time with the Lord is good for my soul, sitting under the preached word alongside of other brothers and sisters is refreshing for my soul too.

Since the replanting of Storehouse McAllen, I have been and currently serve as the main preacher. And as we have grown and by God’s grace, as I have begun to develop other men, I try to get out of the pulpit a few times a year. I’m not a preacher first, but a disciple. Additionally, me stepping out of the pulpit is good for my church.

Here are five reasons why stepping out of the pulpit is good for me (and you) and good for my church (and your church).

1. Recovery
When I became the primary preacher and teacher at Storehouse McAllen, in a word, I was stoked. I was excited to be preaching every Sunday; carving time out throughout the week to go full nerd and creatively construct a message of redemption for the people of God. I would hear other pastors and preachers share about the ongoing deadline of Sunday and taking time off from preaching was necessary. For me, I was in a position and season where I wasn’t able to step out of the pulpit and if I’m honest, I don’t think I would have wanted to because Sunday didn’t feel like a deadline…at the time.

It wasn’t too long before feeling like Sunday was a deadline and the pressure was constant and exhausting on top of my other responsibilities. And there were several Sunday’s where although I had prepared a sermon, I just didn’t want to get out of bed because I was mentally and emotionally gassed. I asked for help from other pastors in the Valley and then slowly began to develop another preacher at our church and the first time I didn’t have to preach a Sunday was fantastic. It was a wonderful moment of rest and recovery. In a sense, preaching is like working out. You’re looking at several hours of study and prep time during the week (along with other pastoral responsibilities) and having an “event” at the end of every week. Over time, that taxes your body and it simply isn’t healthy because the body doesn’t have adequate time to recover. It’s the same thing with preaching. This is both necessary for you and your spiritual adrenal glands, but also important for your church. They need to see and know that you can’t do it all.

Your mind and emotions need an adequate time to recover for the purpose for continued advancement. In short, recovery is vital.

2. Family Time
There are many pastors and preachers that arrive to the church gathering with their family, but have to leave them shortly after to tend to Sunday responsibilities. For me, my wife and I drive separately because I need to be at church a little earlier and often stay late. Further, as a preacher, and although I get to sing and worship along my wife and son, I don’t get to stay with them because I need to preach. When I’m preaching, my time and attention isn’t centered on my family, but is shared with my congregation and is devoted to the teaching of Scripture.

When I’m not preaching, I love showing up and leaving with my family. I enjoy getting to spend the time with them and them alone because I don’t always get to on a Sunday. And my church needs to not only see that, but know that. My family is my first church and I need to be intentional about guarding time such as this.

3. Guard Against The Culture of “The One”
When we first replanted, one of the things I wanted to implement as soon as I could was either inviting other preachers to our pulpit or develop other preachers. In part, this was so that I could time off as I’ve mentioned, but also so that we could guard against, what could be a “celebrity” preacher. I use the word “celebrity” loosely, but my point is that I have seen men embrace their role as a preacher with unhealthy and idolatrous motives. While I believe that preaching is the central ministry of Sunday mornings, many preachers, I think, can use their pulpits to elevate their own status rather than the glory of God.

Additionally, when a preacher guards the pulpit well, it also protects the church. There are many people who attend church because their eyes have been fixed upon the preacher and not fully on the God of the Bible. I think when you have other preachers in your pulpit, it helps to protect the church from the “celebrity” preacher culture.

4. Developing Other Preachers
Similar to guarding from an unhealthy preaching culture, when you develop other preachers there are two great things that happen, in my opinion. First, it shows the church that you have a culture of developing other leaders, preachers, and pastors and they get to be a part of that process. Second, you provide other men with an opportunity to practice their gifting. Preaching on a Sunday morning is a different environment than the monthly preaching lab so you get to help develop preachers in a different setting with unique pressure.

5. Inviting Others
I understand and aware that if you have just planted or replanted your church, you may not have one or two other men who you are developing to preach just yet. My encouragement would be to develop friendships with other pastors in your city and develop close friendships with other pastors in your network or denomination. I have invited other pastors from neighboring cities to preach at Storehouse McAllen and it has been a great blessing to me and my church. For instance, not only do I get a Sunday off, but our church also sees that we value friendships and partnership with other churches. This year, I’m inviting a few friends from Acts 29 to come and preach for me and I’m excited for our church to hear them lead us in the teaching of God’s word and for our church to meet them!

REMEMBER, RECOVERY

At the end of the day, developing other preachers, building friendships within your city, and guarding your pulpit culture will take time. I would recommend making it a priority because preaching week after week will eventually take a toll on your body. Recovery isn’t meaningless and it serves a great purpose, advancement. You’ll be able to accomplish more when you prioritize development and recovery in your ministry, with your family, and for your soul.

I’d love to chat to hear about what you do or if you’re looking for help, I’d love to be a resource. What do you do at your church?

Acts 29 South Central | Pastors Retreat

Today, Rebecca and I head to Colorado to spend a few days with a large group of friends at our first Acts 29 Pastors' Retreat. In years past, Acts 29 hosted a global gathering in one centralized location where lead pastors and their wives from all across the globe would gather for teaching, worship, and fellowship. In 2017, Acts 29 held the last global gathering and at the beginning of this year began hosting smaller regional gatherings for better connection and intimacy.

Storehouse Community Church is a part of the Acts 29 Church Planting Network and we're in the South Central region which consists of Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas. I'll write more about it in a later post. Until then, we're really looking forward to this time of worship and rest. I'm personally stoked to see friends from across our region, hear all the stories, and pray for one another as we return to our cities and churches.

This is our first year at one of these retreats; we'd love and greatly appreciate if you'd pray for us and the men and women in attendance who are also looking forward to a few days away. 

Reflection | God's Work Our Witness

A few weeks ago, we began a sermon series titled "God's Work Our Witness" and the intention behind this short series was to cast vision for the new chapter and season that is Storehouse Community Church as well as share the mission we've been called to in McAllen. I also think it's been a good opportunity to look back at all God did in and through Logos Community Church- McAllen. Additionally, this series served as a great way to communicate revitalization in our church for the fame and glory of Jesus.

While, we have been through much, I feel as though we have officially walked into our own season as Storehouse Community Church; starting afresh in many aspects and moving forward by the grace of God. I'm very excited for our future and am anticipant about the work God will do, particularly as we engage our beloved city of McAllen and make disciples. 

Your prayers have been incredibly encouraging! Please continue to pray for our church family as we aim to be faithful and make much of Jesus. And if you're looking at what's coming up next, this week we're starting a new sermon series titled "The 5 Solas" which is based on the 5 Latin phrases that captivate the heart of gospel-centered theology and stem from the Protestant Reformation. I'll share more on this as we move along. 

The Start of a New Chapter

Last week on Sunday (6/18), the church I began attending almost 9 years ago, Logos Community Church-McAllen ceased to exist and while she closed her last chapter, three new chapters and seasons began for McAllen, Harlingen, and Edinburg.

We didn't merge with another congregation, rather by the grace of God we worked diligently on the health and vitality of our church in the midst of much change, hurt, and loss.  A season of revitalization is upon us and our aim is to be a people faithful in the gospel and in making the name of Jesus famous. 

OUR HISTORY: The Short Story

In 2008, what started off as a bible study in a living room and then having our real and official move to a youth pavilion/garage in north McAllen (Thank You to BT-McAllen!), Logos Bible Church was planted. The mission was simple and hearts were passionate: share the gospel of Jesus Christ with those who do not know Him. For many, the birth of this church plant went hand in hand with the start of their relationship with Christ. 

In 2011 our small church was growing relationally and numerically, engaging the city that we loved, and disciples were being made. Additionally, we faced new challenges: we were starting to grow up! What began as a church with the average age of 22 was now seeing marriages flourish and new families attend.

In 2013 we moved to our current location in what used to be a bookstore on one side and an old pizza shop on the other. During our time here and by the sole grace of God, we planted 2 additional campuses in Harlingen (2010) and in Edinburg (2016) and installed elders in our McAllen campus. 

As we continued moving forward, we grew as a family does. After all, the church is the people called together by God and not a building. And like many families, we have seen incredible seasons of blessing and seasons of difficulty where we were pushed to unite and mature for the sake of growing up into the fullness of Christ (Ephesians 4). 

In the Fall of 2016, the elders at all 3 campuses decided that our mission would be better effective in our cities if we became independent churches. While this was a decision that was difficult, it was also a decision that brought much excitement as we championed one another for the sake of the gospel across McAllen, Edinburg, and Harlingen.  Additionally, we experienced the departure of our founding pastor and preacher, Tom Weaver as he accepted the call to pastor Mission Church in San Antonio. With many tear-filled eyes, we said our good-byes and prayed for him and his family as they, too, entered a new season in a new city. 

For me, my family, and our church family, the past three months have been filled with several ongoing emotions as we entered transition, but by God's grace, He brought several men around me to speak wisdom and counsel in addition to overwhelming support from our church planting network, Acts 29. 

My goal was to capitalize on health, create space for questions, and transition with transparency. And while there was much work happening behind the scenes, Sunday, June 18th was the last sermon as Logos Community Church- McAllen and as you read this, we have officially begun our journey as Storehouse Community Church. 

WHY STOREHOUSE?

The name "Storehouse" comes from Isaiah 33:5-6 where he writes "...there will be times of security for you, a storehouse of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. The fear of the Lord is Zion's treasure." Some translations say that He will be "the stability of your times" in the place of "storehouse." The treasure that is found in the storehouse is the fear of the Lord; a relationship. One that is gifted to the people of God by God. It's knowing who God is and what God has done, particularly in Jesus Christ by sending Him to die for sinners on a cross, forgiving, and reconciling them back to the Father. 

Who we are is simple: to be a church that is saturated in the gospel and exists to declare and demonstrate the beauty of Jesus to the heart of McAllen. We're not perfect, no local church is. But I pray that we are faithful as we embark on the mission and direction God has called us to in McAllen.

If you're reading this, I would covet your prayers--not just for me and my family, but our church family. There's much work to be done and our hope is to see lives redeemed by the blood of Jesus!

Book Review: Am I Called? The Summons of Pastoral Ministry by Dave Harvey

I've decided to review this book by beginning at the end. The final chapter, While You Wait, in my opinion was biggest time of reflection for me. This is not to imply that the rest of the book was of no use, rather I think this entire book should be on the shelf of every man who believes they're being called to pastoral ministry. The final chapter is a great place to start (for review) because it brought me to a place of nostalgia and is very authentic. 

In short, Am I Called? is a book written by Pastor Dave Harvey where he gives a biblical breakdown of the qualifications for an elder as seen in 1 Timothy 3. Additionally, it's a book that provides a great deal of academic resources for further reading with complimentary real-life stories from men who have gone before us. 

REVIEW & REFLECTION

"A man listening for a call is never a man sitting still." - Dave Harvey (p. 188)

I cannot begin to stress the importance of this statement. First, I wish to begin by saying that I do not write this from a position of "arrival," but from a place of understanding, failure, and reflection from my experience in ministry. 

I believe that the Lord was calling me into pastoral ministry when I was 22 years old, just 8 months after surrendering my life to Him and hearing about Him for the first time. It was intimidating and scary bringing that up to my pastors. I had never set foot in a church much less imagine that one day I would be a pastor! 

However, during that time, I was discipled primarily by our lead pastor (Tom) and several other godly men. And if I could summarize my attitude and spirit from that season into two words, they'd be prideful and hungry. I wrestled with (and still do today) with wondering how quickly or soon God would place me in pastoral ministry not knowing or understanding that I was already involved: the set-up team. We had just planted our church and setting up chairs was the need. I never thought that serving in that capacity would help shape me. More than anything else, my pride was soaring based on my ability to potentially lead others and knowledge of the Bible. I was an observant punk. Nonetheless, serving in multiple capacities helped me to not only pursue humility, but taught me patience and that ministry was going to be a journey. For the time being, my primary role was that of repentance (1 Samuel 16:7). 

"Obscurity fertilizes man with humility so that what he grows into can really bear fruit." - Dave Harvey (p.194)

I have been involved in the set-up team, security team, teaching in our children's ministry, social media and event coordination, kitchen and bathroom clean-up, hospitality, and many other areas of ministry that I simply had no clue what I was doing. All of the sudden, the confidence I had was quickly diminished by several 8 year olds. The truth is that when I look back at all of these experiences and "random" areas of ministry that I served in, I would not want it any different. Each one of those areas helped teach me my strengths and gifting while others showed me where I was lacking and that I wasn't pursuing humility. 

I recommend this book because it is not only filled with biblical wisdom and insight from Pastor Dave to the call of pastoral ministry, but it provides readers with the realities of waiting- something that's quickly overlooked. Aspiring to a noble task is not the issue, rather it is the heart of man that falls short. 

"The ultimate test of a called man is whether he desires the advancement of the Gospel more than the advancement of his own ministry"- Dave Harvey

If you believe that the Lord is calling you to pastoral ministry then I encourage you to pick up this book. I would also encourage you to read 1 Timothy 3:1-7 over and over again and ask yourself the following questions: 

Am I this man? | What areas do I lack in after reading this passage? | Would I still strive to be this man even if I do not become a pastor?