6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;
7 just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace.
Certainly, there is a process, and there is an endgame - allowing God to complete His work in us. The apostle Paul saw the Christian life as a race, and He was faithful to pursue it until its completion, when He could say, "I have finished the race." In the meantime, we are called to follow in the steps of Christ and be faithful to do what He says. He will speak through His Word by His Spirit in order to get us placed into the phase that He desires for us to be in.
The apostle Paul can help us realize that in our respective life's journeys, we are called to run well and to recognize the call of God every step of the way. He followed the Lord's instruction, raised up successors in ministry, and was able to discern when his time was completed. In 2nd Timothy 4, we
read:
5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand.
7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.
You might say that the church he has led has made a dramatic imprint upon life in New York City, and Tim Keller has announced that he's taking the "next step" in his ministry. He is continuing to run the "race" that Paul referred to.
Keller is the well-known and highly-respected senior pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church, and announced recently that he will no longer occupy that position as of July 1, according to a Christianity Today story. Furthermore, the church, which he has been leading for almost three decades, will become three congregations after that time.
Now, Keller is 66 years old, so the conventional wisdom would be that he and wife Kathy could take it to the house and enjoy their retirement. Not so for Keller - the article states that he "will work full-time teaching in a partner program with Reformed Theological Seminary and working with Redeemer’s City to City church planting network." That network, according to the story, has resulted in 381 churches starting in 54 cities worldwide.
He assured the congregation: “Kathy and I are not going anywhere. New York is our home, and you are our people. We’re not leaving New York or the fellowship of Redeemer,” adding, "I’m becoming a teacher-trainer …. There’s going to have to be a dramatic increase in church leaders in this city if we’re going to start all these churches."
The Christianity Today story also relates:
Keller also demonstrates the importance of a succession plan. He reminds all of us about the importance of raising up and training new leadership. CT says that Redeemer's plan was set in motion some 20 years ago. When you consider the aging of church leaders, it is important the Church is keeping its eye on potential new leaders; young people who have the vision and the vitality to go the distance in ministry.
I think that Keller's story can also challenge each of us to consider our future and what sort of legacy we will leave behind. Keller has completed this step of his ministry, but he demonstrates that he believes there is more to come. We can make sure we are doing our best to the glory of God, as He gives us strength, and be confident that He has another step for us after this one is complete. And, that next step may be a situation, as the apostle Paul stated, "I have finished the race." Until that day, we can be encouraged to run well.
+++++
The apostle Paul can help us realize that in our respective life's journeys, we are called to run well and to recognize the call of God every step of the way. He followed the Lord's instruction, raised up successors in ministry, and was able to discern when his time was completed. In 2nd Timothy 4, we
read:
5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand.
7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.
You might say that the church he has led has made a dramatic imprint upon life in New York City, and Tim Keller has announced that he's taking the "next step" in his ministry. He is continuing to run the "race" that Paul referred to.
Keller is the well-known and highly-respected senior pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church, and announced recently that he will no longer occupy that position as of July 1, according to a Christianity Today story. Furthermore, the church, which he has been leading for almost three decades, will become three congregations after that time.
Now, Keller is 66 years old, so the conventional wisdom would be that he and wife Kathy could take it to the house and enjoy their retirement. Not so for Keller - the article states that he "will work full-time teaching in a partner program with Reformed Theological Seminary and working with Redeemer’s City to City church planting network." That network, according to the story, has resulted in 381 churches starting in 54 cities worldwide.
He assured the congregation: “Kathy and I are not going anywhere. New York is our home, and you are our people. We’re not leaving New York or the fellowship of Redeemer,” adding, "I’m becoming a teacher-trainer …. There’s going to have to be a dramatic increase in church leaders in this city if we’re going to start all these churches."
The Christianity Today story also relates:
During his nearly three decades leading the destination congregation for young and professional evangelicals in New York City, Keller has built a big name and legacy across the American church.
Keller thrives on New Yorkers’ curiosity, and his church proudly proclaims, “Skeptics Welcome.” New York magazine called Keller “the most successful evangelist in the city,” citing his influence among young professionals...And, a note from CT as we transition to today's takeaways:
According to Leadership Network, the average megachurch pastor in America is 55 and has served at their current pulpit for 21 years; Keller has several years on that. With his recent announcement, he joins a trend of pastors of big congregations opting to plan for their succession, rather than leaving due to age, illness, or scandal.So, what do we take away from this news? Well, for one thing we see someone who had a tremendous amount of clarity for his mission. The story to which I have been referring said:
As CT wrote a decade ago, “Fifty years from now, if evangelical Christians are widely known for their love of cities, their commitment to mercy and justice, and their love of their neighbors, Tim Keller will be remembered as a pioneer of the new urban Christians.He is one of a number of evangelical pastors who demonstrated a heart for New York City and took steps in order to reach people throughout the city. He apparently has not wavered, and God has brought growth to the church. Keller has no doubt provided the necessary, God-inspired leadership to cause that to happen. He has led, and people have followed.
Keller also demonstrates the importance of a succession plan. He reminds all of us about the importance of raising up and training new leadership. CT says that Redeemer's plan was set in motion some 20 years ago. When you consider the aging of church leaders, it is important the Church is keeping its eye on potential new leaders; young people who have the vision and the vitality to go the distance in ministry.
I think that Keller's story can also challenge each of us to consider our future and what sort of legacy we will leave behind. Keller has completed this step of his ministry, but he demonstrates that he believes there is more to come. We can make sure we are doing our best to the glory of God, as He gives us strength, and be confident that He has another step for us after this one is complete. And, that next step may be a situation, as the apostle Paul stated, "I have finished the race." Until that day, we can be encouraged to run well.
No comments:
Post a Comment