Pastor Marcus on Sabbatical

(Para leer este blog en español haz click aquí).



     Marcus Rodriguez, our Pastor for Families with Students, began his sabbatical this week.  Pastor Marcus has served in our student ministry well over seven years.  A couple of years ago, he saw those who were in 7th grade when he joined our staff graduate from High School.  As a new generation of students is being discipled in our student ministry, Marcus has developed new vision and strategies to move forward in this goal.  As Pastor Marcus works with middle schoolers, high schoolers and college students, he is coming along side parents to help prepare the next generation to be missional disciples who will make a difference in their world.

     While the CBC student ministry has great momentum right now, it is important that Marcus take his sabbatical.  This will contribute to his health as a minister and to the health of the CBC ministry.  For more on the nature and importance of a sabbatical you may visit my previous post on Rolando Aguirre's sabbatical by clicking here.  (By the way, Pastor Rolando has been back from sabbatical for over a week and he feels and looks renewed and ready for the next stage in his ministry here at CBC!)

     Pastor Marcus plans to read, reflect, and observe other ministries during his sabbatical to grow in his understanding of subjects like pastoral identity, church family ministry, and pastoral leadership.  Among other things, he plans to read several books, visit churches, interview leaders, and write reflectively.

     Our Pastor to Families with Students' sabbatical began on March 7 and will conclude on April 11.  Marcus has developed an excellent team of student workers who will be carrying the ministry forward during his sabbatical.  The CBC student ministry will go on in Marcus' absence: Student Bible Fellowships on Sunday morning, Remedy on Wednesday night and the calendar events.  For more information on the contact people during this sabbatical, the weekly activities and the special events click here. 

     I am so thankful for Pastor Marcus!  Please pray that this time of sabbatical will be of renewal for Marcus' spiritual, physical and ministerial life.  Pray for our student ministry to continue to move forward strongly as we follow the wave of "One Weekend," and pray to see how you can contribute to the student ministry in our church during this time.

Pastor Rolando en Sabático

(Read this post in English by clicking here).

          El Hno. Rolando Aguirre, Pastor del Ministerio en Español y del Equipo de Discipulado de Calvary Baptist Church, está ahora en su sabático.  Principió su término el lunes 18 de enero y regresará a sus responsabilidades pastorales el 25 de febrero.  El Pastor Rolando celebró su 7o aniversario en el equipo pastoral hace un par de meses.  Su ministerio aquí en Calvary ha sido muy efectivo y este sabático contriburá a que esa efectividad y su salud continúen.

No es un receso para la iglesia

          El hecho de que el Pastor Rolando esté en sabático no implica que el ministerio de la iglesia se va a detener.  La obra sigue adelante.  Su asistencia a los servicios y clases de Calvary debe permanecer igual.  Venimos a servir a Dios, no al pastor, y Dios está aquí.  Es más, ahora es cuando mas necesitamos que todos lleven acabo su servicio con diligencia y dedicación.  Así que sigamos asistiendo y sirviendo con fidelidad.

No son vacaciones

 

          Es importante notar que un sábatico no son vacaciones.  La política, revisada por el comité de personal el pasado 4 de octubre y la cual fue efectiva el primero de este año, dice, "Este sabático se ofrece para nuevas experiencias, educación continua, y un período de reposo, reflexión y renovación."

Las demandas del ministerio pastoral

          La naturaleza del ministerio pastoral en la iglesia del siglo 21 es muy demandante en la vida física, emocional, mental y espiritual del pastor.  El pastor maneja asuntos administrativos, consejería, cuidado pastoral, enseñanza, planificación, liderazgo, intervención en crisis, desarrollo de líderes y otras tareas, las cuales pueden agotar su salud espiritual, física o emocional.  Mientras los pastores guardan horarios regulares para estudiar, planear, reuniones, citas, y enseñar/predicar, la inversión de su tiempo en el ministerio frecuentemente sobrepasa los tiempos agendados.  Al tratar de equilibrar horarios diurnos, nocturnos y de fin de semana con el cuidado de la familia pastoral, es fácil que el pastor se descuide a si mismo.  Aunque los buenos pastores mantienen una postura de servicio a otros (staff, voluntarios, miembros de la iglesia, visitantes, personas en crisis, líderes, personas en la comunidad, relaciones denominacionales, contactos internacionales y su familia), necesitan también cuidar de su propia salud espiritual, física, mental y emocional.  Aunque los pastores deben aprender a no llevar sobre sus espaldas las cargas de las personas a quienes aconsejan o quienes tienen conflicto interpersonal dentro de la congregación confiándoselas a Dios, los pastores son humanos y a menudo llevan esas cargas a casa por las noches.  Adicionalmente la naturaleza espiritual del ministerio también puede ser agobiante.  Tenemos un verdadero enemigo y peleamos batallas espirituales.  Estas batallas se libran con oración y armas espirituales.  Sin embargo, cuando el horario del pastor no le permite el tiempo adecuado para la oración y la preparación espiritual, el pastor se vuelve vulnerable a los ataques del enemigo.  Las demandas del ministerio son constantes y es difícil para el pastor desconectarse de sus responsabilidades ministeriales.  Mientras la tecnología puede ser muy útil, también complica la situación ministerial un poco.  El pastor se encuentra frecuentemente constestando llamadas telefónicas, mensajes de texto, correos electrónicos, medios sociales, teniendo citas espontáneas y resolviendo problemas desde su casa aún en sus tardes/días de descanso.  Así que un tiempo períodico de estudio, reposo, reflexión y renovación es necesario.  (Las vacaciones, las cuales son una bendición y beneficio, normalmente son tiempos en los cuales el pastor sirve a su familia).  Un sabático le permite al pastor salir a la superficie para respirar aire fresco y continuar invirtiendo de si mismo en el ministerio.  Es posible que se lleve una semana o dos antes de que le pastor pueda cambiar de su ritmo ministerial a un ritmo de estudio/relfexión.  Un pastor saludable es algo bueno para su familia, su iglesia, su comunidad, y para el reino de Dios.

Lo que otros han dicho acerca de los sabáticos

          

          Hay varios artículos en inglés y documentos que el comité de personal y un servidor han leído en el proceso de establecer y revisar la política de sabático para nuestra iglesia.  Favor de hacer click aquí para accesar los artículos y documentos a los cuales me refiero.  Busque el párrafo con el subtítulo "What others have said about sabbaticals."  Se encuentra casi a medio punto del artículo.

El sabático del Pastor Rolando

          El Pastor Rolando ha estado cursando para un doctorado en liderazgo transformador por un par de años.  Su solicitud de sabático incluye su deseo de escribir una gran parte de su tesis doctoral durante estas semanas.  Este tiempo sin interrupciones para estudiar y escribir le será de beneficio a él y le permitirá regresar a Calvary con nuevas fuerzas, ánimo y visión para el ministerio.  Durante su ausencia el equipo pastoral cubrirá las distintas áreas que el Pastor Rolando dirije.  Los pastores Julio y Benjamín se turnarán para predicar el servicio en español.  El Pastor Benjamín se encargará de los asuntos de cuidado pastoral del servicio en español.  El Pastor Paulo proveerá apoyo de logísitca para WIT, EQUIP y ICC.  El Pastor Chad dirigirá el domingo misionero en el servicio en español junto con el invitado misionero, el Pastor Candelario.  Los pastores Marcus y Susan continuarán atendiendo las necesidades ministeriales de niños, jóvenes y padres del ministerio en español.  Las hermanas Carmen Gaytan y Anna Ruggles continuarán proveyendo apoyo ministerial para el ministerio en español y para WIT, EQUIP y ICC respectivamente.

Calendario de predicación en el servicio de español:

24 de enero:     Pastor Julio

31 de enero:     Pastor Candelario (y participación del Pastor Chad)

07 de febrero:  Pastor Benjamín

14 de febrero:  Pastor Julio

21 de febrero:  Pastor Benjamín

28 de febrero:  Pastor Rolando regresa al púlpito

     

¿Qué debo hacer yo?

          Su apoyo es muy importante para que el sabático sea un éxito.  En primer lugar pedimos sus oraciones por el Pastor Rolando, su familia y su congregación.  Ore por el resto del equipo pastoral al tomar responsabilidades adicionales durante las próximas semanas.  Favor de no llamar, enviar mensajes de texto o correos electrónicos al Pastor Rolando.  ¡Continúe asistiendo, sirviendo y llevando a acabo el ministerio que Dios le ha dado a usted aquí en Calvary!  (El Pastor Rolando Aguirre estará ausente por unas pocas semanas pero Dios no se ausentará, ni tampoco su misión).

Pastor Rolando Aguirre on Sabbatical

(Lea este artículo en español haciéndo click aquí).

          Rolando Aguirre, CBC's Discipleship-Team Leader and Pastor for Spanish Language Ministries, is currently on Sabbatical.  He began his sabbatical on Monday, January 18 and will return on Thursday, February, 25.  Pastor Rolando celebrated his 7th year on our pastoral staff a couple of months ago.  His ministry here at Calvary has been very effective and this sabbatical will contribute to his continued effectiveness and health.

Not a Vacation

 

          It is important to note that a sabbatical is not a vacation.  The sabbatical policy, which was revised by our personnel committee on 10-04-15 to be effective on 01-01-16 (a copy of this revised policy was included in the November 2015 Church in Conference book of reports) , states: "This sabbatical is encouraged for new experiences, continuing education, and a time of rest, relaxation, reflection and renewal." 

The demands of pastoral ministry

 

          The nature of church pastoral ministry in the 21st century is very demanding on the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual life of the pastor.  As pastors handle administrative, counseling, pastoral care, teaching, planning, leading, crisis intervention, leadership development and other duties, it can take a toll on their spiritual, physical or emotional health.  While pastors keep regular schedules for studying, planning, meetings, appointments, and teaching, the demands for their time often go past those scheduled times.  Balancing daytime, evening and weekend schedules with caring for the family, it is easy for the pastor to neglect self-care.  While good pastors maintain a posture of serving others (staff, volunteers, church members, prospects, people in crisis, leaders, people in the community, denominational relationships, international contacts, and their family), they also need to take care of their own spiritual, physical, mental and emotional health.  Although pastors can learn not to carry the burdens of people they counsel and of interpersonal conflict in the congregation by entrusting them to God, pastors are human and they often carry those burdens with them as they go home each evening.  Notwithstanding, the spiritual nature of ministry can be taxing.  We have a real enemy and we encounter spiritual battles.  These battles are fought with prayer and spiritual weapons.  However, when pastors' schedules do not allow for adequate time of prayer and spiritual preparation, they become vulnerable and danger lurks at the door.  Needless to say, because the demands of ministry are constant, it is difficult for the pastor to disengage from ministry responsibilities.  While modern technology can be very helpful it also makes it difficult to disengage from ministry.  The pastor finds him/herself at home answering calls, responding to texts, emails, and social media, having unscheduled meetings and problem solving even on his/her days/evenings off.  Thus, a periodic time for study, relaxation, reflection and renewal is necessary.  (Vacations, which are a great blessing and benefit, are normally a time for pastors to serve their family).  A sabbatical is kind of coming to the surface for air in order to continue to invest in ministry.  It often takes at least a week if not two to change the ministry gear in which a pastor usually functions.  A healthy pastor is good for his family, for the church, for the community and for the kingdom.

What others have said about sabbaticals

           There has been much written about the need and the nature of pastoral sabbaticals.  You can do your own search for it.  I will share some of the resources that the personnel committee and I have read in establishing and revising the sabbatical policy for CBC pastors.  (You may click on any of the links in this paragraph to access the articles/documents).  Thom Rainer, president and CEO of Lifeway Christian Resources (an agency of the Southern Baptist Convention) wrote a blogpost about "Five Reasons Your Pastor Should Take a Sabbatical."  It is a brief but informative article.  The North American Mission Board (of the Southern Baptist Convention) published an article on Pastor Sabbaticals.  The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship offers churches a the idea of a Sabbatical Covenant and lists the reasons and benefits for doing so.  Canadian Baptists have drafted a document which addresses the issue of how long a pastor stays at a church in relation to a sabbatical.  Many of articles on pastor sabbaticals address the issue of short- and long-term pastorates.  Finally, Baptist Press reported last week on a study of why pastors leave the pastorate.  In this article, Ed Stetzer, executive director for Lifeway Research states, "Almost half of those who left the pastorate said their church wasn't doing any of the kinds of things that would help.  Having clear documents, offering a sabbatical rest, and having people help with weighty counseling cases are key things experts tell us ought to be in place."  I am extremely grateful that our CBC personnel committee and Calvary Baptist Church are gracious enough to provide a sabbatical leave for our pastoral staff.

Pastor Rolando's sabbatical

          Pastor Rolando has been working on a doctorate of transformational leadership over the last couple of years.  His sabbatical request included his desire to write much of the doctoral dissertation during these weeks.  This uninterrupted time for study and writing will be beneficial for him and will allow him to return to Calvary renewed, encouraged and with new insight for ministry.  During his leave the pastoral staff will cover various areas of the ministry he leads.  Pastors Julio and Benjamin will take turns supplying the pulpit in the Spanish service.  Pastor Benjamin will take care of pastoral care matters in the Spanish service.  Pastor Paulo will provide logistical support to WIT, EQUIP, and ICC programs.  Pastor Chad will lead the "missions" Sunday in the Spanish service along with missionary guest Pastor Candelario.  Pastors Marcus and Susan will continue to address ministry needs of children, students and parents in the SLM.  Carmen Gaytan and Anna Ruggles will continue to provide ministry support to the SLM and the WIT, EQUIP and ICC programs respectively.

What can you do?

          Your support is very important for a successful sabbatical.  First and foremost are your prayers for Pastor Rolando, his family and for our congregation.  Pray for the rest of the pastoral team as we take on additional responsibilities during these next weeks.  Refrain from calling, texting or email Pastor Rolando please.  Continue to attend, serve and carry out the ministry God has given you here at Calvary!  (Rolando Aguirre may be on leave for a few weeks but God and His mission are not).

 

CBC Alpha 2 Starting Soon!

           We are about to launch our second Alpha class at Calvary Baptist Church.  Alpha is a class where questions about life, God and Jesus are asked in an open environment.  The class meets in the church parlor on Wednesday nights starting February 3.  A delicious supper is served each week on round tables.  A video of a topic from the Christianity 101 Sunday morning series (#cbc101) is shown and then discussion about the topic is held around the same table.  We start on time and end on time (6:30 PM--8:00 PM).  We also provide classes for children and a fun worship experience for teenagers while adults attend Alpha.

          This class is for anyone who meets one of the following:

1. You are searching for answers about life and about God; or
2. You can bring a guest with you that is searching for answers about life and about God; or
3. You would like to be on the Alpha Team as a table host or a helper (serving tables and praying).

         You can register for the class by clicking here.   There is no cost for the class or for supper.  (There will be a basket at the entrance for voluntary donations toward the cost of the meal but this is not required).  If you are a seeker there is no commitment beyond the first class.  You can come and decide whether or not you would like to come the next time.  If you are already a believer, the commitment required of you is to either bring a seeker guest with you or to serve on the Alpha Team.  (If you would like to serve on the Alpha Team, there will be a training on January 20 at 6:30 PM in the Church Parlor).

         You can download the syllabus for the class by clicking here. 

          I hope you will consider participating in the class or telling someone else about it.      

Christianity 101 Series

#cbc101*

 

  

            This Sunday I am starting a new sermon series titled “Christianity 101.”  This series is designed to introduce Christianity to those who are not believers, who may be inquiring or seeking spiritual answers to life.  In fact, this Sunday's message title is “Is There More to Life than This?”  However, the series is also helpful for new believers to consider some of the basics of following Jesus, for long-time Christians to be refreshed about the validity and vitality of their faith, and for mature disciples who are looking for ways to share their faith with others.

            I encourage you to bring your friends, family and neighbors for this four-month series.  Pray, invite them, bring them, keep praying and watch God work in their hearts.  You will notice that sometimes the approach of the message will be directed toward non-believers or those who are very new to the faith.  Often it won’t feel like I am talking to church-going people.  This is intentional.  On the one side, we want to communicate clearly to seekers who may not have any Bible or church background.  On the other side, we want to model for disciple-makers how they can communicate with those they attempt to reach, who may also not have a Christian background.

           If you bring unchurched or unbelieving guests with you, I would encourage you to make lunch plans with them after church and discuss the morning's message.  Since they would've heard my preaching already, you don't need to preach any more.  The discussion time should consist of your guests' questions and opinions.  He/she should be able to express him/herself with freedom without being "pounced" on or judged.  This is where we trust the Holy Spirit to do the work in the hearts of people.

            This series will be recorded and edited to be used in Calvary’s Alpha course this semester.  Please note this series is NOT the Alpha course.  While it may share the same topics, Alpha consists of three essential ingredients: (1) food/fellowship; (2) the message; (3) small group discussion.  The topics and main ideas for this series are taken from the Alpha course but each message is personally prepared, personalized and customized for Calvary’s Sunday morning congregation by me.  I will work with the Bible text(s) and develop the messages from the text(s), occasionally borrowing some supporting material from the Alpha course.

          The video files will also be available for anyone who wishes to use them in sharing their faith with friends, co-workers, neighbors or family.  When doing so, I also suggest following the message with a discussion over a meal.  A third alternative for using this series to share your faith with others is to bring them to the Alpha course at church this semester.  CBC Alpha 2 will begin on Wednesday, February 3 at 6:30 PM in the church parlor.  More information coming soon.

          A fourth and final option for utilizing this series is to conduct your own Alpha course at your home or as an ABF.  We would be glad to train you how to do this.  Please contact me or Pastor Paulo Gatan for more information on how to do this.

          We have been praying for an evangelism strategy that we can implement at Calvary.  I believe this approach can help us make disciples.  I believe this approach is helpful when sharing the gospel with people who have very little spiritual, biblical or church background.  The content of the messages are extremely important.  After all, it is the gospel that has the power to save (Romans 1:16).  The other important elements of a good evangelism strategy for our time and for this generation are lots of prayer, food and fellowship, loving people, listening and discussing the topics in a non-threatening manner.

          Let us pray that God brings many people to faith and to become mature disciples through this series and through the upcoming Alpha course.

*The hashtag #cbc101 may be used for those who would like to engage in dialogue through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

Personnel Committee's Recommendation

     As you may already know, our church will meet in Conference this Sunday, November 22nd in order to take action on several very important matters.  Click here to see more details about it.  After supper the agenda will include finance reports, deacon elections, election of officers and committees, consideration of the 2016 church budget, the licensing of two individuals to the gospel ministry, and a recommendation from the personnel committee.  You should have received already in the mail information about the deacons being nominated and a copy of the proposed 2016 budget.  (You can also see those at the bottom of this blog post).  Later this week we will upload to our webpage the agenda and book of reports for your reference.  (We encourage you to print it at home or to load it to your tablet before coming to the meeting).

     The recommendation from the personnel committee is in regard to the position of Pastor for Administration and ABFs.  Approximately a year ago, in consultation with the personnel committee, the position of Pastor for Administration and Worship was created.  I hired Paulo Gatan to fill this position on an interim basis.  (You may refer to my October 13, 2014 blog post by clicking here).   By February of this year, the position combination was changed to Pastor for Administration and ABFs.  (You may refer to that change by reading my February 7, 2015 blog post here).  The personnel committee and I believe it is time for the church to take action in calling someone to this position on a permanent basis rather than on an interim basis.

     The personnel committee, thus, will recommend to Calvary that, as per our Constitution and Bylaws, a search committee be elected in order to recommend to the congregation the person who should fill this position on a permanent basis.  Additionally, considering the great work that Paulo Gatan has performed as an Interim, the personnel committee will recommend that Paulo Gatan be considered as a primary candidate for that position.

     Article II, II, 2 of our Constitution and Bylaws stipulates that such a committee consist of five (5) members; that each member of the committee shall have been a member of the church for at least one (1) year at the time the committee is formed; that employees of the church and their immediate families shall not be eligible to serve on the committee; that the committee consist of no fewer than two (2) men and no fewer than two (2) women; that the men and women receiving the highest number of votes shall constitute the Search Committee; and that election shall be by secret ballot.

     Please pray for the selection of this important committee, consider if there is an individual you would like to nominate to this committee, and who you would vote for.  Nominations will be received from the floor on Sunday night and ballots will be distributed for the election.  Please come prepared accordingly.

     For your reference, below you will find the information on the deacons that the Deacon Screening and Nominating Committee will nominate and the Proposed 2016 Budget from the Stewardship Committee.

 

Alpha Starts Tomorrow!

     The first official Alpha class begins tomorrow at Calvary Baptist Church, McAllen.  This is a very exciting time and there is still a chance to be a part of it.  You can be a part of this in at least one of two ways: (1) you can be a class participant (click here to register); and/or (2) you can pray for the class.  (I'll comment on these two ways to get involved below).

     This class is designed to explore Christianity in a dialogue format where it is safe to ask questions and express opinions without being embarrassed, put on the spot or judged.  Our desire is that by the end of the class, individuals will have a personal relationship with Christ and friends that will encourage them to grow in that relationship.  You can see a description, schedule and syllabus for the class at the bottom of this post or you can download a PDF version of the flyer here.

     1.  Why should you participate in this class?  If you are already a believer this class will offer you the opportunity to bring a guest who may not be a believer or who is not plugged into a church.  You can be the instrument God uses to bring them into a personal relationship with Christ.  (We value your trust and we commit to not embarrassing you or your guest!)  Another benefit of attending the class for believers will be learning a very relational and non-confrontational way of sharing the gospel that you can use later in your own home with your friends, family and/or neighbors.  This method can also be used by ABFs also.

     If you are new to Christianity or to the church, then this class is for you.  If you are not a believer and you have questions, then this class is for you.

     2.  How should you pray?  (a) Pray that those who need to encounter Christ would be invited to come.  (b) Pray for CBC folks to bring those who need to come.  (c) Pray that the Holy Spirit will convince guests of God's love and of their need to trust Jesus Christ.  (d) Pray that God uses this method to bring about a revival of evangelism and discipleship to CBC and beyond.

     3.  Why is Calvary investing so much in this class?  We are a church that desires to make disciples of all nations.  We currently do not have an official evangelism strategy.  So we are piloting Alpha as a possible strategy.  We realize three things about evangelism strategies: (a) We live in a postmodern world where people outside the church do not have a Christian or biblical context to understand the gospel in a 5 minute presentation.  Most folks outside of faith today require relational evangelism and a safe place to ask questions; (b) Many of those who are not Christians or are not in church have been hurt, offended or misunderstood by Christians or the church.  We need to build bridges of trust with them; (c) Many of the evangelism programs that worked in the 20th century are not conducive to discipleship today.  They get people saved but they do not have a natural process that moves them to discipleship.  We want to present the gospel in an environment where relationships are developed and discipleship becomes natural.

     Although we may continue to have an annual Alpha class in English in the fall, and perhaps an Alpha class in Spanish in the spring, what we really hope is that individuals and ABFs will be encouraged to have Alpha classes in their homes multiplying the opportunities to share the gospel of Jesus with neighbors, friends, family and co-workers.