Credit Where Credit is Due
I write to thank you and to praise God for the blessing of nearly twenty months in the blessed community of Briarwood. You have expressed your affection and thanks in so many ways in recent weeks and that spurs me to offer credit where credit is due.
First, to the Lord who sent His Son, gave us His word, and planted every true church, including Briarwood. Early in my time here, a few discouraged people asked me if I too was discouraged by the problems I saw here. No doubt, Briarwood experienced several sorrows and one great blow from 2020-23, with Covid, the homegoing of Pastor Reeder and several challenges in between. In my first months, when I was flying back and forth two or three times a month (and often tired) I occasionally wondered, “What have I done?” Of course, everyone asks that question at times.
But if someone had asked me “Have you ever seen such a messy church?” I would reply, “This is the kind of mess we see after a strong, beautiful building suffers a storm – Yes, a few third-story windows blew out and there is rainwater on the floor, but most churches would be thrilled to have this kind of mess. And it’s a joy to join many hands in the restoration process.” Let me explain my thinking...
First, to the Lord who sent His Son, gave us His word, and planted every true church, including Briarwood. Early in my time here, a few discouraged people asked me if I too was discouraged by the problems I saw here. No doubt, Briarwood experienced several sorrows and one great blow from 2020-23, with Covid, the homegoing of Pastor Reeder and several challenges in between. In my first months, when I was flying back and forth two or three times a month (and often tired) I occasionally wondered, “What have I done?” Of course, everyone asks that question at times.
But if someone had asked me “Have you ever seen such a messy church?” I would reply, “This is the kind of mess we see after a strong, beautiful building suffers a storm – Yes, a few third-story windows blew out and there is rainwater on the floor, but most churches would be thrilled to have this kind of mess. And it’s a joy to join many hands in the restoration process.” Let me explain my thinking...
After the Lord sent His Son and His word, He then sent His Spirit, to renew our hearts and then built this Church Universal and then planted this particular church. This church loves the Lord, the Gospel, and the Word. We see this in the hunger for worship, discipleship, and evangelism, in the attentiveness in every Bible study.
The credit for that goes first to Pastors Barker and Reeder, two gifted, godly, hard-working senior pastors. It also goes to every assistant and associate pastor, and to every faithful ministry leader, elder, deacon, discipleship leader, and musician. Briarwood became strong by the labors, prayers, and faith of an army of believers.
My first prayer was simple, “Lord, help me love this church and these people.” I soon found that the people of Briarwood are highly lovable. We love you so much that parting is now painful. It’s like dropping a child off at college: We knew it was coming, and it’s good, but it’s also sad.
Almost two years ago, Bruce Stallings asked if I might be willing to consult with Briarwood (and preach one Sunday) as they considered hiring an interim. By the end of the weekend, I told Debbie “It feels like they’re recruiting me.” A few days later, I had to tell Debbie, “I think the Lord is calling us to Briarwood.” She said, “Then we need to go.”
The credit for that goes first to Pastors Barker and Reeder, two gifted, godly, hard-working senior pastors. It also goes to every assistant and associate pastor, and to every faithful ministry leader, elder, deacon, discipleship leader, and musician. Briarwood became strong by the labors, prayers, and faith of an army of believers.
My first prayer was simple, “Lord, help me love this church and these people.” I soon found that the people of Briarwood are highly lovable. We love you so much that parting is now painful. It’s like dropping a child off at college: We knew it was coming, and it’s good, but it’s also sad.
Almost two years ago, Bruce Stallings asked if I might be willing to consult with Briarwood (and preach one Sunday) as they considered hiring an interim. By the end of the weekend, I told Debbie “It feels like they’re recruiting me.” A few days later, I had to tell Debbie, “I think the Lord is calling us to Briarwood.” She said, “Then we need to go.”
As you know, we have missed our children and grandchildren. With the Apostle Paul, I believe I can say that I tried to pray for you, love you, and serve you, by day and at night. You have become our friends - and more.
As we go, we joyfully commend you and Pastor Redd to each other. In my hours with him, I have become convinced that he is the man God has appointed to lead you for many years. Dear friends, pray for him, love him, trust him, and receive God’s Word from him, for God’s glory and for our good.
– Pastor Dan
As we go, we joyfully commend you and Pastor Redd to each other. In my hours with him, I have become convinced that he is the man God has appointed to lead you for many years. Dear friends, pray for him, love him, trust him, and receive God’s Word from him, for God’s glory and for our good.
– Pastor Dan