While in my personal life I am still processing, very sadly, that Pastor Tim will not be a constant in my day to day life anymore, as a pastor, this is a moment of great joy for me. After three years, the Wheeless' are ready to take the next step in their journey to what is very obvious to everyone around here: Tim is called to pastor his own church. I wouldn't trade the last three years with him for anything. He has become a close friend, trusted confidant, source of personal sharpening, and fellow pastor at NEHBC. But, I also can't deny that the Lord has very clearly raised him up to pastor his own church. Tim is ready and one big way I know that is I can honestly say I'd be happy for him to be my family's pastor.
One last challenge lies in the way: churches usually don't call a Senior Pastor if he doesn't have a Masters of Divinity (MDiv) degree; more and more churches view it as a requirement. It is not a short degree--96 credit hours. So, Pastor Tim's options are to spend the next 5-7 years doing it part time or devoting himself to it full time and finishing in 3 years. When a man realizes he is called by God to pastor and he is ready in every other way except his formal education, he doesn't want to wait 7 years to begin shepherding a flock. So, the choice for the Wheeless' is pretty simple. They are doing exactly what Nicole and I would do if we were in their position.
In December, Pastor Tim and Sharon will wrap up a 3.5 year ministry at NEHBC and head off to school. I am confident they have learned all they can here. Pastor Tim is now an experienced preacher, vision caster, counselor, and leader. He is an MDiv away from beginning a highly successful pastorate. Our families have plans to squeeze in one last Thanksgiving Day together (it has become somewhat of a tradition), although we have plans to talk them into Thanksgiving 2012--Houston is much closer than Georgia, and then their time will soon draw to a close.
The loss of the working relationship is hard for me, but I'm looking forward to a lifelong friendship and watching what the Lord does with the Wheeless'. God is good.
Pastor Tim has shared about this on his blog also.
One last challenge lies in the way: churches usually don't call a Senior Pastor if he doesn't have a Masters of Divinity (MDiv) degree; more and more churches view it as a requirement. It is not a short degree--96 credit hours. So, Pastor Tim's options are to spend the next 5-7 years doing it part time or devoting himself to it full time and finishing in 3 years. When a man realizes he is called by God to pastor and he is ready in every other way except his formal education, he doesn't want to wait 7 years to begin shepherding a flock. So, the choice for the Wheeless' is pretty simple. They are doing exactly what Nicole and I would do if we were in their position.
In December, Pastor Tim and Sharon will wrap up a 3.5 year ministry at NEHBC and head off to school. I am confident they have learned all they can here. Pastor Tim is now an experienced preacher, vision caster, counselor, and leader. He is an MDiv away from beginning a highly successful pastorate. Our families have plans to squeeze in one last Thanksgiving Day together (it has become somewhat of a tradition), although we have plans to talk them into Thanksgiving 2012--Houston is much closer than Georgia, and then their time will soon draw to a close.
The loss of the working relationship is hard for me, but I'm looking forward to a lifelong friendship and watching what the Lord does with the Wheeless'. God is good.
Pastor Tim has shared about this on his blog also.
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