The Long Haul

The Long Haul

I made the extreme sacrifice yesterday and took Bob and Judy Russell to Wrigley

  

It was a great game – Cubs won right at the end, we had seats in the shade, and to my knowledge I was only spotted at by three Parkview people (I have a reputation to maintain).

Bob and Judy ministered at the Southeast Christian church for 40 years.  From a church of 150 to 20,000.  Now he is leading a ministry devoted to helping and mentoring young pastors.

Besides my dad and father in law, there were two guys who really mentored me along the way and Bob is one of them.  The funny thing is, he didn’t really know it.  I just listened to (and borrowed) a lot of his sermons.  And they had a leadership conference that was pivotal to the changes we made at Parkview to help us become who we are.

And he’s still mentoring me, because I want to figure out how to stay in this “game” as long as he did.

You may not know it, but this ministry gig is no cake walk.  There is a lot of pressure, staff issues, big decisions, people with messed up lives who depend on us, no weekends off, and a ton of spiritual warfare.

So if I’m going to make it another 20 years, I need to pace myself.  And that’s what I’ve been doing for the last several weeks.  I’ve been serving outside of Parkview during this break, and I’ve vacationed with my family, but part of this time off for me is about pace and longevity.  I need to be with God and my family in ways that I just can’t do in a normal week.  Sabbath – slowing down – realizing that God is God and he doesn’t need me.  These are hard for me to do in the thick of it. So you've been hearing from people besides me. 

And that's good on other fronts as well.  This church isn't about me - and the sooner you and I both figure that out, the better off Parkview will be.  This is Christ's church.

So come and listen to one of the finest preachers ever this weekend.  And next weekend Dave Stone is here (the current pastor at Southeast and one of Parkview’s favorites).

Then I’ll be back in August to do a 5 week series on Nehemiah, a guy who God asked to do something crazy.

And while your at it – pace yourself too.

Tim

Comments

[A Cubs Fan]

Pastor Russell, Thank you SO MUCH for your Powerful sermon! So invorgorating really. AND for your speaking the truth regarding Cubs fans (thanks for being one!) and spirituality...your mentee should tatke note of same :) GOD BLESS YOU GUYS. and CAN'T WAIT FOR NEHEMIAH!!!!!

[James:11]

It is not about you PT,God IS GOD, although you are always missed. Bob had a great sermon. It IS about the message. Re:Wrigley...every once in awhile, ya gotta take one for da team...
enjoy da break, you deserve it.

[Pattie Goble]

Tim,
I am a proud Cub fan. Nice to see you go both ways LOL.
I added a link to a video you may appreciate
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzPCSyf1yKY
Pattie Goble