Not your typical Q and A

Thank you for staying for this brief question-and-answer. 

While I do not intend this update to be a typical question-and-answer session, the answer to your first question is YES. I did get a haircut. Thanks.

The second answer is also YES; I bring good news about the pursuit of our next pastor. The search committee has spent the past month getting to know (2) fantastic candidates. We find ourselves drawn to their hearts for discipleship and their reverence for scripture and worship. They have set very high bars in their spiritual maturity, yet neither candidate can claim perfection.

These pastors have also been investigating and examining us, so we wanted to provide this update after the recorded service.

Ultimately, my boys are correct, and we will pick one. We want to avoid any notion of competition between these candidates. This is not a beauty pageant or a cage match. Remember, when the search team, as a consensus, does pick one to present to our Consistory, it has to be the result of prayerful discernment.

I believe in that part of our litany and our commitment to you. Our work has been intentionally structured to help us listen to God. We start, conclude, and lift all we do in prayer.

We pray because of His faithfulness and love.

We pray because the conversations we're having require openness and trust.

We pray because we desire God, where He leads, and what He tells us.

We pray because God only knows who we should entrust with this pulpit and this platform and who can lead MRC well beyond the walls of this building.

The third question I want to answer is about this. For those who remember Andy Rooney from 60 Minutes, I borrow some of his wisdom here. This is a roll of toilet paper, which could be a dangerous analogy: 

The Search Process is like a roll of toilet paper. "The closer you get to the end, the faster it goes."

When the search team is in unison, we'll present our results to Consistory. If the Consistory agrees and can confirm the recommendation, well then, Church, you'll have a visitor to prepare for.

As you get ready, remember Matthew 7:7 and those beautiful verbs: Ask. Seek. Knock.

Thank you