Pastor’s Corner January 2012

The following was published in our monthly newsletter, the Redeemer Report.

As we begin a new year together at Redeemer, I am again thankful to God for the great grace He has shown us as a church over the years.  Redeemer is by no means a perfect church, we have much room to grow.  At the same time, I believe Redeemer has been a blessed church.  As you might expect, I spend much time in thought and prayer about this ministry and I continually come back to the feature of Redeemer that gives me the most confidence about the future: our church is lead by a team of elders rather than one or a few vocational pastors.  In our system of government, which I believe to be the most biblical form, we have a plurality of elders (pastors/shepherds) working together to seek God’s will for the congregation.  If Redeemer was led by one man, like me, it would be a disaster.  Again, I am not suggesting Redeemer has it all together, so to speak, but I do think God has granted relative health and vigor to our church, which is connected to the team of elders we have.  I have known these men for several years now and have great affinity toward them all.  Connected to the Session’s leadership, is the noble and necessary work of our deacons.  These brothers work tirelessly to insure we are good stewards of the physical resources God has granted, as well as showing compassion and sensitivity with various mercy ministry needs that arise in our congregation.  I don’t know what the future holds for Redeemer, but the way God has blessed us with elders and deacons makes me very hopeful.  Will you please pray earnestly for our Session and Diaconate?  We so desire to be faithful to God and caring toward the flock of Redeemer.  We are mindful of our shortcomings and desire to see God grow us into better elders and deacons.  Just as the author of Hebrews (13:18) entreats, so I entreat you- “Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things.” The congregation’s support of it’s leadership is a powerful force for our collective growth in God’s grace and sanctification.

On this note, please pray especially for our two elder candidates. Bruce Hoffman and Glenn Timmons are biblically qualified men, nominated by the congregation, tested and approved by the Redeemer Session, who will be placed before the congregation on Sunday, January 8, for a vote to confirm their call to serve Redeemer as elders.

The Word of God in Hebrews guides each of us as we think of our God-appointed leaders:

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you. (Hebrews 13:17)

In the Lamb,

Pastor Tony Felich