A Little Of How I See Things
When I first came as Associational Missionary to TRBA, Dr. George Shore - the interim - had a wonderful title for his column in the Currents of the Tar, our monthly newsletter. It was called "The Shoreline." That was so cool, but I don't have a name that lends itself well to a cool title for a column in a newsletter (I have discovered there are at least 3 Dougald McLaurins with blogs right now which was a shock). Therefore, we went back to the old title for the column, "The Crow's Nest."
Every month when I wrote my column, I agonized over the name of it. To me, seeing that little man peering out toward the horizon implied at least 2 falacies about associational work as I see it. First, it implies that I alone, as Associational Missionary, can see what lies ahead. Second, as I looked way out over the horizon, I could miss what was happening close to the ship as we were being moved by the currents of the Tar.
I am not a loner. I am neither niave or arrogant enough to think that God will reveal Himself to me alone. I recognize that I can not accomplish all that God is calling Tar River to do and be, perched above in that crow's nest. Sometimes it will be me. At other times, it will be others. All the while, there are countless others steering the boat and involved in the work. HOPEFULLY, it is the Holy Spirit serving as the current and we are not drifting aimlessly down the river.
It is the pastors, church leaders, church members that will often see much more and much sooner what lies ahead. I am very much open to the fact that God uses those that belong to Him in accomplishing His work. I wanted to be sensitive to what God was doing whether it was seen way off on the horizon or coming from the belly of the ship.
Finally, I changed the title. It is "From My Heart." Has nothing to do with being on a river. But - from the bottom of my heart, I want to be used by God to advance His Kingdom and to ALWAYS be open to Him. I trust that the people of TRBA sense that about me. I have not done everything right! I continually make mistakes. Many of my mistakes are realted to the busy-ness of this "job" and ignoring my personal responsibility to BE STILL and respond in accordance to His Will instead of going ahead of Him.
From my heart, I want to see the church strengthened. I want to assist churches in their walk with and work for the LORD. I want to be open and receptive to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. I want to share with the church the JOY that comes from abiding in Christ and being used of God in ministry.
The purpose of the early postings is to reveal glimpses of my vision/view of associational work. I trust that all who are members of a TRBA congregation KNOW that they can call on me for assistance and that I pray for them daily.
Love in Christ,
Dougald
Every month when I wrote my column, I agonized over the name of it. To me, seeing that little man peering out toward the horizon implied at least 2 falacies about associational work as I see it. First, it implies that I alone, as Associational Missionary, can see what lies ahead. Second, as I looked way out over the horizon, I could miss what was happening close to the ship as we were being moved by the currents of the Tar.
I am not a loner. I am neither niave or arrogant enough to think that God will reveal Himself to me alone. I recognize that I can not accomplish all that God is calling Tar River to do and be, perched above in that crow's nest. Sometimes it will be me. At other times, it will be others. All the while, there are countless others steering the boat and involved in the work. HOPEFULLY, it is the Holy Spirit serving as the current and we are not drifting aimlessly down the river.
It is the pastors, church leaders, church members that will often see much more and much sooner what lies ahead. I am very much open to the fact that God uses those that belong to Him in accomplishing His work. I wanted to be sensitive to what God was doing whether it was seen way off on the horizon or coming from the belly of the ship.
Finally, I changed the title. It is "From My Heart." Has nothing to do with being on a river. But - from the bottom of my heart, I want to be used by God to advance His Kingdom and to ALWAYS be open to Him. I trust that the people of TRBA sense that about me. I have not done everything right! I continually make mistakes. Many of my mistakes are realted to the busy-ness of this "job" and ignoring my personal responsibility to BE STILL and respond in accordance to His Will instead of going ahead of Him.
From my heart, I want to see the church strengthened. I want to assist churches in their walk with and work for the LORD. I want to be open and receptive to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. I want to share with the church the JOY that comes from abiding in Christ and being used of God in ministry.
The purpose of the early postings is to reveal glimpses of my vision/view of associational work. I trust that all who are members of a TRBA congregation KNOW that they can call on me for assistance and that I pray for them daily.
Love in Christ,
Dougald
Labels: Associations
posted by Dougald McLaurin at
10:41 PM
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