Look to the future
JANUARY 24, 2008 (THURSDAY)
Earlier this week Dale Pogue wrote about my being named “Pastor Emeritus” of First Baptist Church of Rockport. He was very kind in his remarks about it. I thank him for his gracious spirit.
I express my profound gratitude to the church for bestowing this honor upon me. As the recommendation from the deacons stated, the title brings with it no authority or responsibility, but is an acknowledgment of my having served as pastor for 31 years and as interim pastor for 1 ½ years. I offer my thanks to the church for the thoughtfulness expressed in this recognition.
At the same time I compliment the church on its wisdom in its selection of the pastor search committee that brought Scott and Kim Jones to the church for consideration. I congratulate the church on its vote to call Scott as pastor, and I praise the Lord for his acceptance of the call to service in Rockport.
I slipped into the room when Scott and Kim were in the question and answer session with the church November 25. I was deeply impressed by their answers. I told someone sitting nearby, “I don’t think I could have passed this test!” Scott answered all the questions in an excellent manner, and it was obvious to me that he did it with such ease because he was being totally honest, not trying to shape the answers to what he may have felt the church wanted to hear. God will reward such openness and honesty on the pastor’s part and the good communication between church and pastor in the days ahead.
I rejoice in what God has done in the past in the First Baptist Church of Rockport, Texas, and I am deeply moved by the tremendous potential for God’s work through the church in the future. A new day has dawned in Rockport, and I’m glad I got to see it get off to such a great start.