Over the last several weeks, many of us have had an opportunity to consider thankfulness through the celebration of Thanksgiving. As a search team, we have recognized that we have so much to be thankful FOR, and that indeed, it is God we are thankful TO! He has led the search team and our congregation in love throughout this search process so far, providing to us wisdom, strength, protection, material blessing, and spiritual blessing! We invite you to reflect with us on the entirety of Psalm 18 and Psalm 19 as we give God the praise, glory and honor He is due (a few excerpts are included here):
“I love you, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies.”
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“As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. For who is God besides the LORD? And who is the Rock except our God?”
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“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.”
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“Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults. Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.”
The search team met on November 21, December 3, and December 12. During those meetings, major portions of our time were dedicated to seeking the Lord’s leading and thanking God for His faithfulness. We have seen Him move: He has given peace, wisdom, insight and direction, and He has moved hearts and minds – something that ONLY the Spirit of God can do! All praise, glory, and honor to Christ alone!
The search team will provide a verbal update from the stage during both services on Sunday, December 15. Although we recognize that search processes take an average of 15-18 months, we’ve also experienced with you how challenging it can be for us all to wait on the Lord’s timing. In this waiting period, we would ask you to consciously pursue unity, to consider the power of words, and to dwell on the importance of controlling our tongues. In 1 Corinthians 1, Paul addresses divisions in the church, urging the brothers to “agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.” This is our prayer for Springbrook, as well.
Furthermore, Proverbs 26:20 says, “Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down.” We know that conflict is inevitable in every family and in every church family. However, we can navigate that conflict in Christ-honoring ways by avoiding gossip, speaking directly to the individuals involved in the conflict, and pursuing a humble submission to God’s leading. As the author and perfecter of our faith, He can lead each of us as individuals and as a body through the rest of this search process. We thank the Lord for it, and we thank Him for each of you!