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Name: Nelz
Birthday: 8/20/1981
Gender: Male
Interests: Theology, Eating South Indian Curry, Superhero Movies...especially superman, and watching sports.
Expertise: Appearing Smart
Occupation: Minister
Industry: Nonprofit
Message: message me
Member Since:
12/13/2004
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I knew there was a good reason for having ministerial credentials. Now how do I get one of these at my apartment parking lot?
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| Can I just say that Earl Creps should preach in Oregon every year? He and Jeff Lucas were the speakers for our annual AG district ministers retreat. I was glad to be able to go this year to hear these speakers and be around a bunch of other people that are trying to do ministry and follow God.
Earl introduced his first session with the question "Is your ministry what you always had dreamed it would be?" I loved that moment when everyone in the room thought back to their goals and vision for their ministry. Hopefully no one noticed my dazed and confused look! He continued to talk about his ministry values that he and Jan are trying to live out in their Berkeley Church start up.
I realized that during this session and another interview style one, I was shouting "Heck Yes!"...on the inside. It's been a year and a half since I have been in Portland, and I am starting to dream a lot more. At this point, I want to put my time and energy into a path that is all about chasing my dreams....not just getting by.
The more I think about the ministry values that my friends and I talk about, the more I want to experience them in Portland....even though I haven't really ever seen it. In lieu of buildings and church structure, my thoughts wander on about a loving Christian Community that is crazy of about making new friends. Is that so hard to believe?!?
Dreaming for something more,
Nelz
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| It's been four months now that I have been interim pastor at the church. As I look back and reflect upon it, I really see God's favor. Everyone has responded well to my very idealistic sermons about ministry and what the body of Christ could be one day. The board also has given me respect and honor. It consists of very capable, wise men that have developed a love for me and a listening ear to my comments about theology and practice.
Since college, I have always tried to challenge understanding of leadership and seek to learn new aspects of that huge concept. Over the past for months, I realize that my leadership has been more a gift that God has given me rather than something that I have earned. This a bit of a shift for me. I try to be a hard worker in ministry and am committed to earning respect as opposed to demanding it based on a title or position. Well, the last four months definitely doesn't fit that ticket! It's almost like I have influence and respect from the people because they freely give it to me. God has graciously provided favor. The gift of leadership doesn't just have to originate with the leader. It can also originate with Him, and be given to whomever for the right time.
I want to be the kind of leader that is not man made...but God made. Therefore, I want my leadership/influence to be the same. What if I operated with the belief that influence is a free gift from God? My prayer then is focused on His will and desire for the good of His people. Deep down, may my heart be free of the lie that leadership happens in a vacuum...I can't earn it on my own.
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| Southwesterners...do you recall praying for the country of the day like 10 times everyday. Well, I'm starting to do that at church. Praying during service yesterday for Pakistan was definitely reminiscent of good ole Southwestern. I guess somethings that happened there have definitely stuck.
My hope is the more outward thinking we are the better off church will be. Hopefully people will think about people all over the globe that need God in their lives. We have needs at our church yes...I mean the previous pastor was here 17 years! But, I our present need can't blind us from God's greater mission.
One thing I do remember about Southwestern is the emphasis on missions...no wonder God blessed the campus. It's my prayer that He would do the same at my church.
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| This sunday will be my first officialy as interim pastor of my church. I have been going back and forth trying to figure out where God is leading me, and what I need to do now. The board has been very gracious to me by supporting my heart to plant a church. Instead of seeing my ministry as either at this church or church planting, they saw a middle ground that I hadn't. This position enables me to continue serving the church during their time of need and also move forward in preparing for church planting.
Not sure how fast the church will find a pastor, but I know that this is the right move for me. That being said, I'm nervous about this. I haven't been in a lead role for a while now....no one to pass the buck to. What is so encouraging though is how the people of the church really believe in me even though they have only known me a year. Although I don't meet traditional qualities of a pastor (married, middle aged, and an entertaining speaker), that doesn't seem to bother anyone. Wait have they realized I'm Indian? They also don't seem to mind me trying new things like have a question answer time instead of a 30 min lecture for a sermon. That makes me feel good.
Please pray for me. My desire is to faithfully inspire God's people to go further and higher. Simple, yet profound. Oh yeah, I also want my personal development as a believer to go further and higher too!
Thanks for your support,
Nelz
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