The uber-mega church Willow Creek Church is currently hiring for their senior pastor opening. Willow Creek doesn’t require much of an introduction. 24,000 people meet at seven campuses in the Chicagoland area. Willow Creek launched the massively influential Global Leadership Summit, which drew 118,000 people last year. It’s hard to tell the history of the past thirty years of evangelicalism without mention of Willow Creek.
Down the road in urban Chicago, the Moody Church is also seeking a senior pastor. A very different church, but no less impactful, the Moody Church was founded in the 19th century by one of the greatest American evangelists, Dwight Moody. The lineage of senior pastors at Moody is a veritable who’s who of the evangelical world over the past 150 years.
Last year, Mariners church in Southern California searched for their new senior pastor. Every weekend 17,000 crowd into its lush campus that could easily be mistaken for a resort. It’s hard to imagine a more attractive setting to do ministry, a setting where it appears that there are very few financial barriers.
And if any of those churches called me (not that they would!), I wouldn’t even pick up the phone. Seriously.
New Life, you’re the best church in the world for me.
Our minds and hearts naturally wander. We ponder whether there is something better out there. Ingratitude makes our hearts grumble. Ambition turns our eyes green. “If only…” we think.
When my heart turns inward, when I allow my sin to go unchecked, I go to this place too. “If only…” “what if…” “one day…”
But here is the grace-filled reality: God has called us to Tucson. He’s called us to New Life Bible Fellowship. He’s decided to use my gifts in and for New Life. He’s given me the privilege of shepherding his flock, of caring for his sheep alongside other gifted and godly leaders.
Why are you the best church in the world for me? You know my warts and you still love me. You have forgiven me for when I have acted unwisely. You have forgiven me when I spoke harshly. You understand that I am limited and that there are plenty of gifts I don’t possess.
Why are you the best church in the world for me? You have invested in me. New Life has generously invested in me through conferences, staff retreats, executive team retreats, coaching, and counseling. You have gifted my wife and I date nights and my yard is adorned with several plants that were gifts from you.
Why are you the best church in the world for me? You have allowed me to steward my gifts. I don’t preach at all like Pastor Greg (he’s pretty amazing, don’t you think?). I can’t pull off an event that creates the wow and connection that Pastor Zach can (he’s pretty amazing too, don’t you think?). But you’ve taken what I can offer and you’ve let me grow as a pastor and a leader.
Why are you the best church in the world for me? You’ve trusted me. You didn’t need to trust me. I came in after a church split. You had every reason to distrust a strange new face, but you’ve invited me into your hospital rooms as your loved ones passed away, you’ve stepped into my office and shared your most difficult struggles, you’ve sat under my preaching with eagerness and humility.
Why are you the best church in the world for me? You’ve partnered with us in ministry. You’ve prayed for us. You’ve served alongside us. You’ve been compelled by the ministry of Jesus Christ and have given of your time and energy and gifting to make an impact in the lives of those in our neighborhoods. You’ve been generous in your financial stewardship. You know that the church isn’t a platform for your leaders, but a family called to serve one another sacrificially.
Why are you the best church in the world for me? You’ve walked alongside us in joy and hardship. Dear friends from New Life were with us when we received our sweet foster girl Lilly. You surrounded us with prayers and tears when the state uprooted her (wrongly in our opinion) and took her to another home and we grieved. You’ve poured love and care into our kids.
Willow Creek, Moody, Mariners, you ain’t got nothing. What a gift to let the roots of our hearts grow deep where Christ has planted us. What a gift to grow in gratitude and peace.
Thank you, New Life. You’re the best church in the world for me.
Photo by Phillip Goldsberry on Unsplash