Most people don\u2019t like uncertainty much. We make plans\u2013\u2013no matter how specific and achievable\u2013\u2013no matter how vague and improbable\u2013\u2013in an attempt to minimize the dangers of the unknown. Our unease tells us that the sooner we can achieve a higher level of certainty, the\u00a0\u00a0 better.<\/p>\n
The transition between pastors is a time of uncertainty. Many members think they would feel better if the next settled pastor would come sooner rather than later. They could stop wondering when he will come. They could stop wondering who it will be\u2013\u2013what his\u00a0\u00a0 family will be like\u2013\u2013whether he will be stiff and formal\u00a0 or informal and welcoming. They could start learning\u00a0 how to get along with him and learn from him.<\/p>\n
But nothing is really certain. We do not know what is going to happen next from moment to moment. We often make good guesses and effective plans. But sometimes they become worthless in a moment. Intentional interim ministry helps reduce uncertainty about who will meet pastoral needs. But other unknowns remain.<\/p>\n
Events in life are uncertain. But for those who trust God, its ultimate outcome is certain. As the apostle wrote, \u201call things work for the good for those called according to his purpose.\u201d (Romans 8:28). Whether the first pastor Good Shepherd calls accepts, or the seventh, you can be certain that God wants you to cling to him. All good comes from him. Meanwhile, his Spirit enables us to endure fear of the unknown while we walk together following the steps which will help us identify the servant God wants at Good Shepherd.<\/p>\n
Pastor Roger L Mackie<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Most people don\u2019t like uncertainty much. We make plans\u2013\u2013no matter how specific and achievable\u2013\u2013no matter how vague and improbable\u2013\u2013in an attempt to minimize the dangers of the unknown. Our unease tells us that the sooner we can achieve a higher level of certainty, the\u00a0\u00a0 better. The transition between pastors is a time of uncertainty. Many… Read More »Uncertain Events \u2013 Certain Outcome<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"neve_meta_sidebar":"","neve_meta_container":"","neve_meta_enable_content_width":"","neve_meta_content_width":0,"neve_meta_title_alignment":"","neve_meta_author_avatar":"","neve_post_elements_order":"","neve_meta_disable_header":"","neve_meta_disable_footer":"","neve_meta_disable_title":"","ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1574","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-worship"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gslc-carthage.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1574","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gslc-carthage.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gslc-carthage.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gslc-carthage.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gslc-carthage.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1574"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.gslc-carthage.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1574\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1575,"href":"https:\/\/www.gslc-carthage.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1574\/revisions\/1575"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gslc-carthage.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1574"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gslc-carthage.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1574"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gslc-carthage.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1574"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}