Early on, with God’s wisdom as their guide, I am confident that our church staff and leadership realized the importance for our congregation to maintain an attitude of prayer for the pastor search process. During this final stage, it would be easy to “take a break” or begin to run out of steam. As we approach the finish line, we need to do just the opposite. I can remember days when I ran track in high school. My track coach would shout for me to “Sprint!” to finish the race.
We cannot let up! Now is not the time to let that happen!
God’s word in Galatians says:
“And let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”Galatians 6:9
If we ever needed to pray for the process, we need to do so now! I hope this blog post encourages you to increase your intensity in prayer for the process. Continue to pray for the search committee. They have taken on the enormous task as they work to identify our new leader. They face challenges in life, as we all do. The members of the search committee are not immune to distractions and difficulties. Please pray for them as they face the pressures of life each day, in their careers, their businesses, their jobs and family life; they need our prayers. The leaders at Vanderbloemen need our prayers as well. Pray that God will grant them delight amid any challenges they face and give them his wisdom as they work to completion of this process.
Every one of us who profess faith in Christ, and who worship and love our Pastor Danny Wood, and our beloved Shades Mountain Baptist church, should commit to continue to pray for the process. We should take heeds to the words contained in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 that admonish us to, “Pray without ceasing.”
Pray that the search committee maintains their endurance to run the race. Hebrews 12:1b says, “…let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” Our prayers are needed as our search committee approaches the finish line.
Our prayer team continues to covet your prayers. The late Billy Graham identified prayer as one of the primary reasons for his success as an Evangelist.
We are incredibly blessed to have church staff and leadership that prioritizes prayer. For years, prayer warriors have gathered throughout our church to pray for our Pastor before, during and after every Sunday service. Likewise, this blog is to compel you to continue to pray for the search process.
-- Victor Brown