JON ALLEN

I am simply in awe of what God has done. I must always remember that I am nothing without Christ. As a pastor I absolutely cannot let pride slip into my thoughts. If I forget for 1 second that every gift, every passion, every opportunity comes from God I could be in serious, serious trouble. Pride has destroyed more pastors than I can count and I must always remember that this is not my church, it’s not Ray’s, it’s not Ronnie’s, it’s not Ron’s, or Brian’s, or Mike’s, or Doug’s, or Torrey’s, it’s God’s, and God’s alone. I would never have believed that God would have me in the position He has me in right now. Yet He does, and looking back now, if makes sense. It makes perfect sense. I am completely humbled at this moment. At the same time ecstatic, scared, thankful, honored, awestruck, too many things to write.

“Lord, I thank you for who you are. I could never match the greatness of Your glory. I could never live up to Your standards. I ask you to forgive me for my sins and where I have failed you. I honestly pursue Your will for my life. I need your direction. My desire is to serve you any way you see fit, so please make that unmistakably clear to me. If there is any place in my life where I need refinement, please send me the instruction and training I need. I want to be all that you need of me. Thank you for all you have allowed me to do through your strength. I am honored to be your servant. I offer myself wholly to you. Amen.”

As a pastor I think it is critical to continually be learning and growing. This requires careful study and reflection. What I am writing right now is a part of this process. I need to constantly be learning more about God’s Word and what He wants me to do about it. I have found that I don’t learn much about stuff I really don’t care about. Social Studies is a good example (sorry History buffs). Although its somewhat interesting, I really don’t care much about History books, I am much more concerned about the future. Not that history isn’t important; I’ll just let someone else study it. Understand that when I say I’m not interested in History I am not including the Bible in that, it’s not just a history book. I learn things I ascribe value to. You put something in front of me about how the interaction between Jesus and the woman with the bleeding condition in Luke 5 and how it made it possible for Jesus to raise Jairus’ daughter from the dead, now you have my attention! I love to learn, I love to grow, and I have to as a pastor.

It is one thing to want to teach, it is another to formulate your thoughts, and it is something altogether different to actually stand in front of a room full of people and say it. Not just to say it either, but to communicate it effectively. Communication requires that you be engaging, concise, accurate, collected, comfortable, organized and confident. Most of these things come from experience. I know that is why God made me a performer. I know that public speaking is one of the number one fears people have, but honestly, for me, it’s not stressful. That doesn’t mean that it isn’t important or it is easy, but all it means is that experience has made it easier. Like I always say, “If you aren’t a little bit nervosa before you step on stage, something isn’t right.” But I am comfortable on stage which allows me to let go and have confidence. It also makes it easier knowing I am delivering God’s message and not mine. Knowing that I can always speak with confidence and authority standing on God’s Word (not literally, although scripture is written on the beams under the stage…).

A crucial element to a healthy Christian walk is to submit to the authority of God. I have no problem doing that because I am a rule-follower. To me it is simple, if God says I shouldn’t be sexually immoral, I won’t. If He says He wants me to tithe, I will. If He sets the rule, I will follow. I believe He has put this in me to help me communicate this concept, but also to help keep me above reproach as a man and pastor. To shield me from moral failings and temptations. I thank Him wholeheartedly for that.

I think that most people underestimate the amount of thought, planning, prayer, and preparation that goes into just one weekend’s message. To me there is a beauty in taking a message concept or scripture and finding a way to communicate it in a way that makes sense and takes people on a journey of discovery. God made me a craftsman to help me craft meaningful and effective messages. I take great joy in seeing a rag-tag bunch of ideas come together in a masterpiece. It is a beautiful thing and it helps lead people to real life change.