In my role as a search associate with NL Moore & Associates, I have the incredible privilege of having initial conversations with pastors about the pastoral searches we represent. I acknowledge that for many, even engaging in the initial conversation can put a pit in their stomach. They may be thinking, “What am I doing? I love my current church and situation.” “What could this mean? Is God trying to tell me something?”, or “What if I love this church, and they don’t select me?”
I engage in these exploratory calls from a place of understanding. I am a search associate, but I am also a pastor’s wife. I’ve been on the other side of the phone.
I get it. I understand there is a perceived risk, and likely some fear or anxiety involved in taking even a first phone call. But I have also seen how God uses these conversations in pastoral search to guide, encourage or move pastors on their journey.
In Genesis Chapter 22 we read the story of when God told Abraham to take his son Isaac to a place called Moriah to sacrifice him as a burnt offering to the Lord. I can’t begin to image what was occurring in the mind, heart and emotions of Abraham. The Bible is almost matter-of-fact in mentioning the tasks Abraham did as he prepared for the journey. As they walked forward, perhaps Isaac sensed the sadness, the fear, the questioning of his father. When his son questions him about the lamb for the offering Abraham says, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” Did Abraham fight back tears as he spoke those words? Soon, he bound his son and laid him on the altar. Abraham took his knife to slay his son, but before he did the unimaginable, he was directed to STOP by an angel of the Lord. Abraham had demonstrated his fear of God through his obedience.
Even with fears, hesitation, questioning, and grief Abraham went to Moriah willing to lay down before the Lord the thing he cherished most. Because of his obedience, the Lord blessed him.
Abraham certainly didn’t know how the journey would end, but he walked forward in faith, trusting God would provide all that he needed as he was obedient.
The principle of blessing following obedience has been true for us. As a family, we have taken steps into conversations about other pastoral roles. We have felt like we were walking up a mountain with fear, grief and hesitation. Some of those journeys came to a STOP sooner than anticipated, and one led us to a wonderful new ministry. The reality is sometimes those initial steps are all God wants us to take. He can use them to clarify our call to remain where we are, or teach us something about ourselves, or prepare us for whatever is next.
Trust the Lord. Be obedient to the prompting of the Spirit. We are not supposed to know the end of the journey at the first step. That is what it means to walk by faith and to trust God. Don’t let doubt and fear stop you from engaging in a conversation. The journey may not end how we expect or how you want, but you can always take the next step with confidence when it is done out of obedience.