Have you ever noticed that God has some pretty big feet, especially when He has one wedged in a door you’re ready to shut?
Six months after I had first walked away from pastoring First Southern Baptist, Missions Director Doyle approached me again. To no surprise, his request was the same: that I reconsider interviewing for the senior pastor position. But images of that sanctuary—the huge wood lectern and dusty plastic flowers—were glued in my brain. So without any eagerness to return, I slowly agreed to meet with the church’s board.
The interview began as expected. Two elderly gentlemen, a man in his thirties, and two women sat around a table with me as I answered their questions about me and my past ministry experience. As I looked at their faces, I could sense that years of highs and lows had taken a toll. This congregation was beaten up.
When it came time for me to ask questions, I simply asked, “What’s next for Southern Baptist Church of North Orange County?”
Eyes darted around at each other, as if searching for an answer. While they did not seem to know exactly where God was leading, one deep, confident male voice broke the silence by saying, “The Holy Spirit is not through with us.”
His beautiful answer gripped my heart like a vice.
Although many people within my denomination had warned me not to take on such a dysfunctional church, I believed along with this man that God was still moving in their midst. So, in November 2003, I became the unlikely pastor of the First Southern Baptist of North Orange County.
Has God ever kept opening up an opportunity you’re ready to dismiss? Even today, is there something that He is moving you to do as a member of His church? If so, feel free to share your story about God’s big feet in your life doors. Little did I know that my biggest journey was just beginning.
praise god u listened to the lord and holy spirit ..i had left the building to ..i and my wife opened our home to any one who needs the lord and us ,,i minister on the streets with gangs homeless and any one wanting help with how to reach thelord or just want to be loved ,,ive got alought of critisizem from churchs and police and many others that dont understand love and compashion ,,but ,uu inspired me when i heared your story on klove ..i said to my wife someone finaly got it they listened we r not alone ..praise god for all of u who listened to the lord ..if u r ever in need we would comein a instant to be part of real life of the lord..we been doing this nearly 20 years ..thank u for listening to the spirit calling u ..god will work so many miracles ..and peaple will find the god there looking for ,,goddidnt die just the spirit in pastors who suppredd the holy spirit ,,lets bring them back to life ,,be blessed
By: pastor ivan byrd on May 26, 2009
at 2:53 AM
We left the “church” about six months ago. We initially wasn’t planning on leaving completely about a year and half ago. We left our home church, due to many, many things. One however, was the 11 million dollar fortress they were developing to build(which they did),and the church wide bible study on a book that talks about stewardship. Basically it was a manipulation and quilt to give up your money. Its one thing to give support, but when the church budget is $3.2 million and the personnel is $1.5, with only 5 full time and 6 part time…always seemed a lot. Nevertheless we left in search of a “church” that was more grounded in scripture and expository teaching and true evangelism. the search began, come to find, when we did find a “church” that meet a solid biblical model…it still didn’t feel right…so we stayed for a couple of months, but started to notice many things at that church, and started to ask myself more questions, the same questions I had at my previous church! I was shocked, this church was better than my old one, but these questions came into my mind again!! What is going on! I asked myself. Then we left and went to a small country church, thinking that was the answer…no glitz, no glamour…just plain. Long story short we left after a couple of months. Realizing that God was calling me out…though I was reluctant and filled with tradition it was hard and still is hard for me. So now after six months God has been scrubbing my mind of tradition and leading me gently, not causing me to stumble to HIS truth. I feel God will lead me to believers in my area who desire real fellowship outside of the sacred cow. Though I have been attacked from previous members of those churches and counted as lost and backslidden. I know that God has answered my year long prayers for HIS truth to open my eyes to Him and His truth….I didn’t expect it to bring to where I am now. It has been a blessing. God lead me to this site and I thank Him for it.
In Christ
Mike
By: Mike on May 29, 2009
at 2:03 AM