Friday, September 4, 2015

Pastor Search Committee September Update

“Bind us together, Lord, bind us together
With cords that cannot be broken
Bind us together, Lord, bind us together
Bind us together with love…”
                -Bob Gillman

      Unity is a pretty easy concept, but a hard reality. We all bring our unique personalities, thoughts, opinions and backgrounds to every gathering and interaction at Driscoll. That is part of what makes our church so special, but it also means that sometimes it isn’t easy to find consensus. However, unity is something that is very dear to the heart of God. When Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, it is one of the things he prayed very specifically for believers:
“I have given them the glory that You gave Me, that they may be one as We are one— I in them and You in Me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that You sent me and have loved them even as You have loved me.” John 17:22-23 (NIV)

     While uniting together in heart and minds may seem impossible by the world’s standards, we are reminded that “…with God, all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26 NIV), so that He is the one who can provide the harmony and unity that is so crucial to our effectiveness as His Body. So, as you pray this week for Driscoll, the Pastor Search Committee, and our future pastor, would you please pray that the Lord will provide us with His unity?
Please be in prayer for:
Those being called to fill the open volunteer leadership positions at Driscoll. Pray that there will be a clear match as to those feeling called, and those who are assigned to fill those positions. We want our Body to continue to grow and minister even while we wait for our new pastor, and strong member leadership makes that possible.

Harmony and clarity between pastor search committee members, that we will all be led to a mutual understanding of each applicant, and a clear sense of direction of God’s leading in all that we do.

That each candidate will be unified with us in specifically praying for God’s will, putting aside personal desires and preferences (both the committee and candidates).

That everyone involved in this process will wholeheartedly seek the greatest unity of all: that of being like-minded with Christ.

In His Grace-The Driscoll Pastor Search Committee

Friday, August 14, 2015

Pastor Search Committee - August Update

      Have you ever served on a Pastor Search Committee? It is truly a privilege. Yes, we have a considerable number of meetings and some days it feels like we have sifted through more resumes and paperwork than the hiring manager of a Human Resources department, but each of us on the committee knows that the church has placed enormous trust in us and we do not take that lightly!

      I wish that each of you could have this opportunity, but it probably wouldn’t be too easy to schedule meetings for all of us every week! Instead, we would like to share some specific prayers requests so that we can all be joined together as we prayer for the Lord to clearly show us His will.

“On Him we have set our hope that He will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.” 1 Corinthians 10b-12 (NIV)

This week please specifically pray concerning:
1. Pulpit Supply: Each week the Lord has graciously provided a man to speak His words. Pray that we would continue to find willing and able candidates, and they would be in tune with what the Lord wants us to hear.
2. Committee Members: Each committee member has their own personal concerns and problems; pray that those will not be hindrances to our work. Pray that we will be focused and alert to the leading of the Spirit, and have complete unity and harmony with each other.
3. Finances: Pray that we can ascertain the salary the Lord would have us to offer any future prospects.
4. Interviews: Pray for the committee as we conduct various phone and email interviews, that we would ask the right questions, and truly hear the heart of each applicant, that we would have discernment and clarity concerning each candidate.