Year one of the apprentice program is winding down. Blayne has 4 weeks left at NEHBC before he returns to school at The College at Southwestern, at Southwestern Seminary. 28 days. I can't believe it. Without a doubt, it's been one of the most fulfilling things I've ever done.
The notion of pouring myself into a Kingdom endeavor that will have no benefit to NEHBC, but a huge benefit to the Kingdom of God, is what I love most about it. The apprentice-pastor program is not about me or NEHBC, it's strictly about the Lord and His local church. Somewhere, someday, a local church will benefit tremendously when they call Blayne as their pastor. I pumped about that.
Another aspect of the apprentice-pastor program I love is that it follows Christ's model. He faithfully conducted His ministry, but poured Himself into twelve men along the way who would go on to do great things for the Kingdom of God. Paul did the same thing with Timothy, Titus, and at least six others that we know of.
God was gracious and honored the program this year because it is selfless on NEHBC's part and it follows the precedent of Christ, Paul, and many others who have come before us. The apprentice-pastor minsitry is a Christ-honoring, biblical endeavor that will build the Kingdom of God through strengthening local churches.
The aspect I like least about the program is that it is only one apprentice-pastor at a time. It isn't that I think I could handle more than one, I couldn't, but being able to only mentor one at a time is a slow process and thus at times feels ineffective. Lots of work that produces one piece of fruit each year. But, the Lord has continually reminded me that it takes a long time to grow an oak tree and the time necessary is a worthy endeavor. I am whom I am today because my father spent over a decade pouring himself into me to get me ready to pastor and continues to do so today. One life at a time.
Another aspect I don't like about the program is that Blayne is leaving. I'm going to miss him. Sure, at various times we have been mad at each other, frustrated with one another, and needed a break from each other. But all of that is to be expected when he is with me so much. I've grown to truly love him and appreciate God's call on his life. It's going to be hard to see someone into whom I've poured so much of myself just ride off into the sunset.
But, the sadness over Blayne's departure will be juxtaposed with the excitement of starting the entire process over with Adam, apprentice-pastor #2. Blayne's departure and Adam's arrival both happen in less than a month.
I'll always be thankful for Blayne as he was the one willing to be the guinea pig for the apprentice-pastor program. Neither of us had any idea what to expect and there was no point of reference to measure the progress and success of the program. I've also long forgotten what it's like to be twenty. The program will be very different for Adam as I now have a clearer understanding of what God is trying to do through this ministry.
I pray God's blessings on Blayne as he moves forward into his future. I pray he would be protected from my many weaknesses. I pray he gets my strengths in much larger amounts. I pray his year with us has put him on course to a long, fruitful, and faithful local church ministry. I pray he will have a much greater influence for the Kingdom of God than I will ever have.
The notion of pouring myself into a Kingdom endeavor that will have no benefit to NEHBC, but a huge benefit to the Kingdom of God, is what I love most about it. The apprentice-pastor program is not about me or NEHBC, it's strictly about the Lord and His local church. Somewhere, someday, a local church will benefit tremendously when they call Blayne as their pastor. I pumped about that.
Another aspect of the apprentice-pastor program I love is that it follows Christ's model. He faithfully conducted His ministry, but poured Himself into twelve men along the way who would go on to do great things for the Kingdom of God. Paul did the same thing with Timothy, Titus, and at least six others that we know of.
God was gracious and honored the program this year because it is selfless on NEHBC's part and it follows the precedent of Christ, Paul, and many others who have come before us. The apprentice-pastor minsitry is a Christ-honoring, biblical endeavor that will build the Kingdom of God through strengthening local churches.
The aspect I like least about the program is that it is only one apprentice-pastor at a time. It isn't that I think I could handle more than one, I couldn't, but being able to only mentor one at a time is a slow process and thus at times feels ineffective. Lots of work that produces one piece of fruit each year. But, the Lord has continually reminded me that it takes a long time to grow an oak tree and the time necessary is a worthy endeavor. I am whom I am today because my father spent over a decade pouring himself into me to get me ready to pastor and continues to do so today. One life at a time.
Another aspect I don't like about the program is that Blayne is leaving. I'm going to miss him. Sure, at various times we have been mad at each other, frustrated with one another, and needed a break from each other. But all of that is to be expected when he is with me so much. I've grown to truly love him and appreciate God's call on his life. It's going to be hard to see someone into whom I've poured so much of myself just ride off into the sunset.
But, the sadness over Blayne's departure will be juxtaposed with the excitement of starting the entire process over with Adam, apprentice-pastor #2. Blayne's departure and Adam's arrival both happen in less than a month.
I'll always be thankful for Blayne as he was the one willing to be the guinea pig for the apprentice-pastor program. Neither of us had any idea what to expect and there was no point of reference to measure the progress and success of the program. I've also long forgotten what it's like to be twenty. The program will be very different for Adam as I now have a clearer understanding of what God is trying to do through this ministry.
I pray God's blessings on Blayne as he moves forward into his future. I pray he would be protected from my many weaknesses. I pray he gets my strengths in much larger amounts. I pray his year with us has put him on course to a long, fruitful, and faithful local church ministry. I pray he will have a much greater influence for the Kingdom of God than I will ever have.
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