JON ALLEN

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.

These are several pieces of the picture, but how do they fit? What is the picture? As I sit back now and look at the position God has put me in as a pastor at high Rock it is beginning to make sense! Each piece fits perfectly.

God has made me a teacher. I sincerely want to teach people. I want them to “get it”. To honestly trust Christ with their salvation and life. That means really putting Him in control of their everyday thoughts and activities. He has given me the desire to do that in a practical and creative way that will open closed eyes and soften hard hearts. The fact that He has made ma a logical thinker helps me be a better teacher. I can organize thoughts well and communicate concepts in a clear and understandable way. People often tell me that one of their favorite things about HRCC is (at all campuses) that they finally understand church sermons! Great! If we aren’t doing that, then what are we doing as teachers?

Without God teaching me to be 100% dedicated to Him, I would have no motivation to teach people to do that very thing. If God wasn’t teaching me constantly there would be no drive to teach. How can I ask or instruct people to do what I myself am not willing to do?

Nothing like a good old fashioned mountain hoe-down.

I am a...

Loner
This will definitely shock some people, but it’s true. I have never been an overtly social person. I function well in groups and relate well to people in the moment, but I am not by definition a “people person”. Truth be told, I love being alone (which includes being with Jess and the boys). I like the peacefulness of it. Solitude and reflection are my friends. I can see this clearly now as an adult because I know I am not good at keeping up relationships with friends. I talk to almost no friends from High School or College, I talk to my parents maybe once a month (on a good month), and I struggle to call and check up with people from the church to see how they are doing. Again, not sure why this is, it just is.

I am a...

Performer
Surveys consistently show that one of the biggest fears people have is public speaking. I can honestly say that I am not included in that group. I have been in front of people my whole life. Singing in church, being in YMCA variety shows, HS/MS Chorus, Mixed Ensemble, Boys Quartet, All-County/State Chorus, NYSSMA Solos, High School Musicals, BMOC, New Grace Singers, HRCC Praise Team, you name it. I have been in front of crowds my whole life and have absolutely no fear (except the healthy kind) before stepping on stage.