Author: Dean Taylor

A Step Back, and The Path Ahead

Last Sunday morning, I shared with our church family that I am stepping back from the role of Senior Pastor. At the end of this post is an excerpt of what I said, explaining the reasons and giving a few details about the plan for moving forward. I have a few thoughts related to this decision to share with you who read this blog.

If you’ve been following this blog, you know I have posted several articles recently related to a pastor’s discouragement. I have one more article on this topic yet to post. It’s obvious that discouragement has been part of my experience as a pastor. The assumption of some might be that I resigned because of it. However, I want to be clear that my reason for resigning as pastor of Calvary is not discouragement. There have been times, I’ll be honest, when I have been so discouraged that I was ready to hang it up. But I worked through those times, by the grace of God and with help from my wife and some friends. I began this year with great anticipation of serving the Lord, sharing the Word, and working with our pastoral team here at Calvary.

In mid-January, some circumstances and my ensuing thoughts prompted me to take a step back. (The “circumstances” did not involve another church contacting me 🙂 ). I determined to undergo a period of evaluating God’s will for me and what is best for Calvary. During this two-month period I prayed, meditated on Scripture, sought counsel from a number of advisers and friends, had many conversations with my wife, read suggested books, and did everything I know to do in determining God’s will. The answer became clear to me that God is directing my heart toward a new place of ministry (yet unknown) and that it is time for Calvary to have a new person in the role of Senior Pastor.

As I say in the announcement below, I will always be grateful for the opportunity to minister at Calvary. I have learned much, and hopefully have contributed to the growth of the church and her people. We will miss the dear people of Calvary deeply. I am thankful for the reunion we will enjoy around God’s throne!

We will celebrate our Lord’s resurrection this Sunday. Then I plan to preach four messages on Sunday mornings to prepare everyone for what is ahead. This is my preliminary plan, to be fleshed out over the next few weeks. Titles and themes may change, but it will go something like this:

  • Sunday, April 3 – Be Confident – This will be a message of encouragement for our people.
  • Sunday, April 10 – Be Careful – I will share several warnings the church will need to consider.
  • Sunday, April 17 – Be Committed – The people of Calvary need to remain dedicated to the church and to the cause of Christ.
  • Sunday, April 24 – Be Christ-Focused – Jesus Christ is the Cornerstone of the church. He is the Person around whom the church will be unified and will grow even stronger and thrive through the days ahead.

Yes, I know this sounds like Warren Wiersbe. 🙂

I would appreciate your prayer for our church family and for me as we walk this path together. Thank you.

____________________________________________

From our church website:

Following is an excerpt of an announcement Pastor Dean shared with our church family this morning. We ask that you please pray for Pastor Dean and Faith as they seek God’s direction for their future ministry.

We love you, Pastor Dean, and we are grateful to the Lord for the twelve years you have faithfully ministered the Word to us.

After a long process of prayer, seeking counsel, and deliberation, I’ve determined it is time to step back from my role as Senior Pastor at Calvary. I believe Calvary needs fresh vision, clear direction, and someone with the gifts and passion to lead the church through its next stages of life and growth. And I believe God has a new place of ministry where Faith and I can use our gifts and experience to serve the Lord and His church.

For a while I have had a question in my heart about whether God may have another assignment for me to complete in my lifetime. I love Calvary and am willing to invest the rest of my life here if that is what God wants. But through prayer and the counsel of a number of people I respect and trust, I have reached a place of certainty in my heart. God has something else for me to do. I do not yet know what that will be. Faith and I are seeking the Lord’s direction and will wait on Him to lead us. It will probably involve pastoring, teaching, or some combination of both. When God is leading, we must obey. I’ve walked with God long enough to know when He is moving me in a direction, and that is what is happening now. I know you will understand that I must follow His will for my life.

Different kinds of leaders with varying gifts and strengths are used at different stages in the life of any organization, especially a church. God used Pastor Guy Altizer to plant and grow this church. He used Dr. Jim Binney to lead and grow the church through a time of transition. And He has used Dean Taylor to lead the church through another stage of maturity, growth, and change. I believe it is time for a new shepherd with fresh vision, clear direction, and the gifts to lead the church in pursuing what God has next for Calvary.

I believe the right person with the right gifts will enable Calvary to go to the next level of fulfilling her potential for the glory of God. I do not want to hinder the growth that can take place here by God’s grace. So I am stepping back to allow Calvary to seek the right person to shepherd the church through its next stages of life and growth.

This is a decision I have considered and made completely of my own initiative. No person or group has pressured me or even suggested that I do this. It is my own decision before God in following His will and doing what is best for our church.

My last Sunday to preach will be April 24 and I will be available for some time after that to give any help necessary to a smooth transition. The pastoral staff, in close coordination with the deacons, will give leadership to the church once I am finished.

Faith and I will always be grateful for the years of life and ministry He has allowed us to have at Calvary. You are dear to us, and we will always treasure you in our hearts.

We love you.

Pastor Dean 

 

What A Discouraged Pastor Should Do (Part 3)

I’ll continue sharing my reflections on how Paul guided Timothy when he was facing discouragement, from the book of 2 Timothy. You can read Part 1 and Part 2 if you haven’t already. I address these to others, but first to myself.

9. Remind and challenge people not to “strive about words to no profit.” (2:14)

Sometimes a pastor’s discouragement comes because there is disunity in the church, or a lack of commitment to the core truths that we all hold in common. People can become divided over secondary or even relatively minor issues. This may be a signal to the pastor that he should speak to the church family about focusing on the fundamental truths of Scripture and on the person and work of Christ.

10. Be diligent in the Word – to please God, not man. (2:15)

A hurting pastor may become sensitive to what people think of his messages and craft them to either confront his critics or to appease them. Either one is dangerous. He must be motivated to please God first. His responsibility is not primarily to get man’s approval on his study and delivery of the Word, but God’s. He should always be open to suggestions about how to improve his preaching, but not be unduly influenced by what others think. As stated before, the Word is the primary agent through which God does His work in the life of the church.

11. Reject “profane and idle babblings.” (2:16)

While diligently digging in the Word, the pastor should avoid the temptation to introduce popular ideas and people-pleasing messages that arise from celebrity ministries, religious profiteers and false teachers. Don’t fall prey to pragmatism, repeating the messages and ideas that seem to get attention and grow crowds. Reject them.

12. Flee youthful lusts. (2:22)

We tend to look for comfort in sensual pleasure when we’re hurting or discouraged. We may have been exposed to something when younger (“youthful”) that created an appetite that can still be aroused later in life, especially during times of pressure and pain. Food, alcohol, porn, tobacco, remembering and reliving an immoral relationship – these can become temptations when we’re down. Also, we become susceptible to acting in pride, following selfish ambition, and responding to people in anger. In the power of the Spirit and the grace of Jesus Christ, turn away from these. Do not be controlled by them.

13. Pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace along with others who sincerely . . . (2:22)

What should I pursue?

  • Righteousness – what conforms to God’s will; generally doing what is right vs. what is wrong, as I may be tempted to do
  • Faith – Simple, continuing trust in God, not only as my Savior, but as my Father, my Comforter, my Chief Shepherd, and my Friend.
  • Love – My tendency is to be selfish, do what pleases and is comfortable and rewarding to me. I need to turn my thoughts outward and think of the people around me, starting with my family. Engage in things that are unselfish, that benefit others without any benefit for me. This can include little things – chores around the house, words of kindness and encouragement, praying for people in specific ways. It can also include big things – taking a meal, making a visit, calling or texting, gathering a team and doing a project.
  • Peace – Don’t nurse grudges. Give up resentments. If needed, write to or talk with people you are angry, resentful, or bitter against. Make a list. Purge your heart and mind of bitterness.

He says, “with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” My tendency is to isolate myself. I think that’s the tendency of introverts and sensitive souls like Timothy. Be proactive in planning time with “others.” Have conversations with them about how to pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace. Enlist them in praying for you. Keep it up over months of time.

 

I’ll share more of these lessons from 2 Timothy in future posts.

A Place of Peace

IMG_0406-2In a few days, I will be here. This picture is a sunrise at the Sea of Galilee. I was there 2 years ago. My wife and I, about 20 people from our church, and 20 from other churches will spend almost two weeks together touring the land of Israel. Having been there once before, my anticipation of seeing the Bible in 3-D again is growing.

This place – The Sea of Galilee – is where the men lived and fished when Jesus called them to follow Him. Jesus lived next to it and walked the roads and hiked the hills around it. And he rode with his disciples on it in their boats. One time He slept in the boat. The disciples woke Him up during a life-threatening storm, and He said, “Hush, be still.” And it was.

Storm. Peace.

The Son of God. Lived here. Taught here. Healed here. Calmed this water. Showed His love and power.

He eventually traveled to Jerusalem, about 70 miles to the south. He was crucified there. He rose again. He returned to this place and talked with the disciples. He met them as they returned from a night of fishing but no catching. He gave them fish for breakfast. On the shore. Cooked over a fire.

Fish for breakfast is one of my favorite things in Israel – it’s on most of the breakfast buffets. Delicious. Meaningful. It speaks of Jesus’ power, provision, forgiveness, restoration, and commissioning to ministry. Just like Jesus did with Peter. Just like He has done with me.

I love this place.

A place of peace.