More Changes

I have been so grateful that I have been allowed to fill the role of Pastor to Seniors at Cornerstone Church. It seems to have been an assignment ideally suited to my gifts and passions. It allowed me to focus on areas that brought me enjoyment and fulfillment. As I passed my 70^th birthday I realized that I no longer had what could be referred to as a “career trajectory”. In each church where I served as pastor, I saw myself remaining there for 10 to 20 years but the time came in each one when it was time to move. As that time approached this question presented itself – “Where to now?” At my age, that was no longer a question I needed to deal with. When the time came for me to submit my letter of resignation, it wasn’t to move on to another assignment, it was to retire. But what would I do till I retired and then beyond?

As I pondered and prayed what was next for me, I realized that I had learned a great deal in my 35+ years of ministry and that some of that knowledge was transferable. But how would I do that? As I prayed, I felt that God wanted me to begin discipling or mentoring younger men. But which ones? I didn’t feel that announcing what I wanted to do and waiting for men to approach me would work. I had taught that prayer was the way to discover the will of God. So, I began to pray. What format should I use? Would one-on-one or small group be the best vehicle? I believe that God wanted me to spend time, teaching in small groups, but who should be in a small group? Again, the solution was prayer. Another prayer focus was what to study.

While in Bible College, I studied a book called The Call by Os Guiness. I bought and reread it and felt that this might be a good place to start. I began to ask God who should be included in my initial group. I didn’t receive any blazing epiphanous answers, rather I began to see faces in my mind – faces of young men that I should consider. I wasn’t 100% sure that these were the men God wanted me to invest my life in, so I approached each one asking if they believed God might be calling them to spend time with me in a small group setting. I ended up approaching 13 men and 12 agreed with what I was proposing. Twelve is probably too large for a good small group, so we ended up with 2 small groups of 6 each.

I explained that my goal wasn’t addition but multiplication. I didn’t simply want to continue adding more small groups to my agenda, but I wanted them to look at starting their own small groups. My verse for this ministry was 2 Timothy 2:2 (NIV) “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.” That was the pattern I wanted to establish – learn then teach others. I explained once our study was over, I wanted them to continue their involvement with each other as I moved on to another phase. One of the groups continued, the other did not.

After praying, I felt that God wanted me to start a larger group, more of a class setting and that I should teach an Old Testament survey course. There were challenges we had to overcome as the COVID pandemic hit with a vengeance. I felt that I was doing what God wanted me to do.

When that class ended, I felt that God wanted me to concentrate more in one-on-one ministry, that is what I did. At present I am meeting with around half a dozen young men. With some, I am leading a discussion of a book we have decided on, and with others we allow circumstances to dictate where our conversations would lead us. I felt that I was in my “sweet spot”. But I knew that this phase also would come to an end. It presently continues and I am still learning how to keep the Son in my eyes.