One of my favorite stories from the Old Testament has been that of Gideon. He is the Judge who, like us, was awed that God would choose him to deliver His people. He wanted to make sure that what he was called to do was indeed God’s will.
What did he do? He had a series of tests. One of which, how would his father react? Well God instructed Gideon to tear down his father’s altar to Baal and the neighboring Asherah pole and use them to build a new altar to the Lord. He did. He made the burnt offering with the 2nd bull from his father’s herd.
The next morning, the people want his head for his actions. What does Gideon’s dad say? Well if indeed Baal is a god, then let Baal deal out justice. Wow! Dad’s prize herd killed, his temple destroyed, and he still supports his son, probably because he knew his son was right in his actions. But that was a test, nevertheless.
Then of course there is the more known test of Gideon: the one of the fleece. Night one, only the wool was to be wet. The next night, all but the fleece was to be wet. Once he saw this, he knew that he was on the right path. (Personally, I would think the way God accepted the first offering would have been enough.)
So how does this deal with us today? As you know, I have been fully invested into the community of Winslow. To that, I have been struggling with what the church is forced to look at and what is needed to be done to provide for my family.
One night, I sat down with the Elders to discuss the various options and the ramifications. After much discussion and prayer, they gave me their blessing to start looking. But is this God’s will? I had to be sure.
Some have thought that perhaps to be willing to make this choice so easily after 7 years in Winslow, I might be giving up. So that element had to be part of the test. God, if you want me here, please give me three young families before my first located interview. This was my prayer since I started sending out the resumes. I shared this test with Carol and another person in the church last Friday, the 22nd. Then on that Sunday, I received 2 families. Perhaps I will not need to leave my beloved Arizona.
Then Monday came. I started the day with an hour and half phone interview with the church of Mortons Gap, Kentucky. The call ended with promise to forward my information to the pulpit committee and then have a conference call Tuesday evening once everyone had a chance to look over the church website, listen to the sermons and pray. No call on Tuesday. Hmmm.
Wednesday late morning, I got a call from Kentucky. There was no committee, and I couldn’t take the call at the moment. I asked to call back in 5 minutes as I finished with my visit. So he called back. He expressed why there was not a committee call. Instead, they wanted to know when I could come for a visit. I told him, since its short notice, I really could not see sooner than mid-February. I would call him back Thursday evening at the earliest since one of the elders is a school teacher and is hard to get on the phone.
Wouldn’t I know it, but I leave a message for the teacher at 12.00 pm. He called back at 1.30. He said next week was fine as did the other elder. I should let MGCC decide when. Wow!
So I called KY back. I told him what the elders here said. He said, then why not the first half of February? Sure. Elders then were fine with that as well. So Wednesday the 3rd, we leave for MGCC.
Now there is another facet that I must share that has been part of my prayer as well. A few years ago, someone approached me about “church without walls” which also was echoed at that point by my preaching brother in Cali. I wasn’t so sure at the time. It’s not traditional. (Odd since my trade mark is being “non-traditional”.)
Yet then as the church started discussing the problems and potential solutions for the hard time, one member came to me and brought up, “We could dump the building for whatever and give you a raise and become a church without walls.” This time the idea took hold of me. Perhaps now the congregation would be ready.
So I started praying about it. I developed a business plan, which to some, does seem contrary to faith community. But I believe having such would make it easier to see the logistics. Then I started sharing this. It didn’t go over well at all. The original family and the family that more recently approached me were the only supporters I could find. I talked to everyone in the congregation. It seems that having such a church is not for me to accomplish in Winslow, but for another. I pray God brings him to the church after I leave.
The bottom line, brothers and sisters in the Lord, my family and friends, is that the Harvey clan is leaving Winslow. God answered the prayer in short order. Last time I looked for a place to serve, it was a year before my first phone interview with any church. This time, it was 7 days from sending out the resume to a scheduled trip. Is Kentucky our next stomping grounds? I remind you that this visit is still just an interview.
Why all of this? I wrote so that everyone will know that this decision was not something of haste, but one based in prayer, seeking to follow the Lord. As for the time table? That, too, is in the Lord’s hands.
