We've Only Just Begun...

So as of right now I'm about two months into this experience of "pastoring" a church. I wrote this article in the beginning of October:

"Fall is here and with the changing of the seasons comes crisp evenings, the aspens shining golden in the light of the sun, and the promise of snow in the not too distant future.  For some, this change causes a smile as it signals the approach of the World Series of baseball, the arrival of football season, the bugling thrill of a bull elk and the possibility of a full freezer; for others, fall is reminder that another summer has passed, another harvest is over, and cold weather with all the sniffles, shoveling, and sore and aching joints will soon be here. Whatever camp you might find yourself, fall is the signal of change.

It is appropriate that with this change of season, Calvary Baptist (the church I am leading) is experiencing a change of equal, if not greater importance.  I am not talking about my arrival or the influx of youth into the suddenly loud and giggly nursery.  This is significant but not of the utmost importance.  I am talking about the changes of mission and purpose for Calvary Baptist Church.  And although the arrival of the Barrera Family has in various ways been the catalyst for some of the changes in the passion of the church, we are in no way the cause.  In fact, we get the joy of coming alongside you as God begins to change and fashion this church into exactly what he would like it to be.

When I think of change, I think of butterflies.  This might seem strange but in Romans 12:2, Paul tells the church in Rome about the way that God is forming, and transforming the church from what the church was to everything the church could be.  He says, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”  The key idea here rest in “being transformed”; you see Paul uses a Greek word which recollects the metamorphosis of a fuzzy caterpillar into a lofty butterfly.  Did you know that the only intention of a caterpillar is self- gratification?  As a caterpillar goes through its day, its only purpose in life is to consume, to eat, as much and as often as possible.  Once it enters the pupa stage and eventually emerges as a winged butterfly something amazing happens…the butterfly is no longer concerned with mere self-gratification; instead, it is consumed with the idea of reproduction.  This is its only intent in existence.  Could it be that the Apostle Paul had this biological phenomenon in mind when he was describing the way that God changes hearts and minds?  Is it possible that Paul was hoping the church in Rome would continue the process of God-initiated and God-driven metamorphosis transforming from a people concerned only with “what was in it for them” to a people focused on spreading the Gospel and reproducing new spiritual brothers and sisters?  I hope so!!

So as Calvary begins this season of change, my prayer is that we can identify with this idea of transformation.  My challenge to you is to begin to become the butterfly God intended you to be.  Let your wings flutter brightly in the fall sunshine, knowing that you are surrounded by other butterflies focused on the shining glory of Jesus Christ and that He alone will sustain us; this focus will allow us to continue to reproduce, impacting Monte Vista, and becoming all that He would want us to be." 

With those words I began the journey.  I stepped off of the comfortable path and into the role of pastor, of shepherd of this church.  With those words I walked into a situation where I was not only asking a church to change but I had to begin to change myself.  I had no idea what I was saying...


And so, it begins...