Shifting Gears

As I go in to my 8th month as pastor of Velocity Church, I have had some time to get a feel for things here.  I have taken most of this time to figure out the mindset of the church body and get a feel for how committed people are to the ministry of Velocity Church.  After visiting with some friends this past weekend and hearing a GREAT message while attending their church and meeting with two couples from Velocity, I have realized one thing...it's time we start "Shifting Gears."  Here's the thing, some of my ideas and plans that I have, I was looking to begin and put in place between January and April of 2012.  Hearing from the pastor of the church I attended Sunday "Now is the time to get started because prolonged idleness paralyzes initiative," and after having someone in the meeting share some of his thoughts, I know that we have to step things up...NOW!  At Velocity Church, we are about to kick things up a notch as we look to add to the Kingdom of God. What about you...do you need to shift gears in an area in your life?

Ecclesiastes 11:4 (NIV) Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap.

Press On

As I approach the 7th month mark as lead pastor of Velocity Church, I can't help but think about some of the things that have went on.  I think about the messages that have been preached, the Bible studies that have been taught, the fellowship that has taken place and the hard work that has been done.  Not only my hard work, but the hard work of the congregation of Velocity Church.  I think about the time they have sacrificed, the ideas they have come up with, the physical and mental labor that has gone into many events and services.  My heart's cry recently has been for them to begin to see some fruit of that labor; to see people come through our doors on a Sunday morning and come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior.  I know it is all in God's time and His timing is perfect, yet, my hearts desire is to see people added to the Kingdom of God and I know that time is short.  At the same time, my prayer is that the people of Velocity Church would "Press On" and know that the harvest is right around the corner.


Philippians 3:12b-14 (NIV) ...but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. ¹³ Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Seeking Him

As a pastor, many things can interfere with trying to live a Christian life.  That may have caught you off guard, allow me to elaborate. If I'm not careful, I can get too wrapped up in helping others, managing the business affairs of the church, and spending countless hours in sermon preparation.Though all those things are necessary and important for the work of the ministry, I know that the number thing on my list needs to be "Seeking Him."  Sure, when my life is over, I want people to think of me as a person who was there in their time of need, as someone who did all he could to protect the integrity of Velocity Church, and a preacher that was used by God to transform lives beacause of a relevant word; but, above all, I want to be known as a man who sought God with all he had. 


Ephesians 5:15-17 (ESV) Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

By Faith

So many times as believers we can get wrapped in figuring out if the things we do are by chance or what God is asking us to do.  As a new lead pastor, I have been thinking about this a lot lately.  As I bring a message with a word that inspires someone, did I do it by chance or because God laid it on my heart.  As I try and get the people of Velocity Church to be faithful in their finances and missions, will they do it by chance or because they know it is what God is asking them to do.  Well, coming up in 8 days is a large outreach for Velocity Church called Party in the Park.  This is costing us time, energy and lots of money, but, I am certain that we are doing this outreach because God has set aside this time for us to do this, we are doing it "By Faith."  Even though we do no not know how many people will be impacted next Saturday or how many families may soon call Velocity Church home, we will do it because of our hope in Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 11:1 (KJV) Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen

Challenge Me

As a pastor, I tend to put a few messages together that are geared for one purpose...to challenge the believers in the room.  Many times, those messages come from something that the Spirit has laid on my heart as a personal challenge, but other times, I feel that it is good for Christians to be challenged in their thoughts, their views and their walk with Christ.  Today, I got my challenge form a book I started reading called "not a fan" by Kyle Idleman.  With just the prologue and first chapter, many of the things I have thought as a pastor or Christian, have been challenged.  It's one of those times where I believe as leaders, if we are going to challenge others, we must be willing to be challenged by others.  As of this morning, I'm hoping to be challenged more and more in 2011.  I hope that you too will say, "Challenge Me."

Proverbs 27:17 (NIV) As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.

Real Change

As we look to move into a new house this weekend, our family can't help but talk about change.  The kids are excited that they get their own rooms, for a change.  Will and Ryann are excited about changing schools.  Amy and I of course, will be looking at changing many of our current routines that we have been accustomed to in Tiffin over the last 4 years.  The new move even affects Mom because for the first time in her life, she will park in an attached garage.  This Sunday, I will be preaching on how true repentance must always bring change, in a message titled 'Stirred, but Not Changed.'  For too long, Christians have been stirred by a convicting message or a prophetic word but they fail to make a "Real Change", repent, and turn from the sin or temptation in their life.  It does the believer no good to feel sorry for themselves in the natural.

2 Corinthians 7:10 (NIV) Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.

Still Alive

In case you are wondering, I'm Still Alive.  Things have been crazy busy lately for me; a week of Mega Sports Camp, followed by a week of Senior High Camp and leaving camp to close on our new house.  Things have been extremely difficult juggling schedules, traveling, and study time. The good news...God has been there every step of the way.  I am even more happy to be alive in Christ.

Ephesians 2:4-9 (NCV) ⁴ But God's mercy is great, and he loved us very much.⁵ Though we were spiritually dead because of the things we did against God, he gave us new life with Christ. You have been saved by God's grace.⁶ And he raised us up with Christ and gave us a seat with him in the heavens. He did this for those in Christ Jesus⁷ so that for all future time he could show the very great riches of his grace by being kind to us in Christ Jesus.⁸ I mean that you have been saved by grace through believing. You did not save yourselves; it was a gift from God.⁹ It was not the result of your own efforts, so you cannot brag about it.¹⁰ God has made us what we are. In Christ Jesus, God made us to do good works, which God planned in advance for us to live our lives doing.

Not Me

Recently, I began reading through the book of Acts again.  I figure, as a first time pastor of a church, why not read about how the first church of Jesus Christ began.  As I read now, at this point in my life, I realize things that I didn't before.  A couple things jumped out at me in the last day or so.  In chapters 5 and 6, we get a glimpse of what it means to have the Holy Spirit doing the work through men and God getting all the credit.  That is what I want my heart to be..."God, since you will do it through it me, I want you to receive all the honor and glory."  Whatever God's plan is for me at Velocity Church, whatever great things happen, I want to honestly and humbly tell people, "Not Me."

Acts 5:38-38 (NIV) Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”

Acts 6:10 (NIV) but they could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke.

I Can't

As I look ahead to this Thursday nights' ordination service, I find myself thinking about when I first began to feel the call of ministry on my life sometime during the latter part of 2000.  I've been thinking about how I felt about not being saved too long, not growing up in a church, not knowing all the worship songs, not having any public speaking experience, no post high school education, etc.  Needless to say, I had a ton of excuses and it never really hit me until the fall of 2005 when my pastor at the time at New Hope Assembly of God in Lancaster, asked me to consider coming on as youth pastor.  My first thought was "I Can't" and  those thoughts from 5 years earlier started to re-surface and it wasn't long after that God was telling me, "Good, then you will let me do it through you".  Those similar thoughts came as I saw things begin to fall in place for me at Velocity Church.  How can I be lead pastor, I've never put a church budget together, I've never been in a board meeting (except to inform them I was leaving Tiffin), I am only used to preaching on a Sunday morning once a month, etc.  You know, those thoughts weren't around too long as I remembered that what God told me in 2005, is still true in 2011 and for the rest of my life.  So when you find yourself in a situation like this, remember, God will do it through you.


2 Corinthians 12:9 (NLT) Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.

Settling In

It has been a little more than a week since my last blog.  That tells me, I have been extremely busy.  It has been quite the transition from associate pastor to lead pastor.  I am beginning to realize the responsibility that God has given me more and more each day as I walk in the role of lead pastor.  However, I must say, I am doing my best to enjoy every moment of it.  My hope is that as I continue "Settling In", that I would grow more and more each day and realize that it is about Him and not me.


Proverbs 3:5 (NLT) Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.

My Wife

Today, I can't help but think about Amy, and as I do, I can't help but think great things.  She and I married only 11 months after our first date.  Some people thought it was too soon, we knew it was God's plan for the both of us.  Of course, we didn't know that we would some day live the crazy, yet rewarding life of full time ministry.  Amy has never once mentioned wanting to leave the ministry or walk away from a church, she is committed to the core.  She has encouraged me time and time again when I felt things were getting too crazy or when I couldn't see the point in doing something.  She is the love of my life, for my whole life.  I am who I am today, in part, because of the woman I married on April 6, 2002.    If I had to do it all over again, I would...over and over again.  "My Wife" truly is a good gift from God.

Proverbs 31:12 (NLT) She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.

First Sunday

Well, I am at home putting the final touches on tomorrow's message.  It will be a message about my vision for a two week emphasis called "just One". We will kick this off on Easter Sunday and come back to part two on May 1.  I am very excited about leading the people in to what will double up as not only an Easter outreach opportunity, but the launch service for Velocity Church.  God is laying some things on my heart that I pray come across to the people and they share in the excitement.  Tomorrow, being my "First Sunday" as lead pastor, is the start of something great for me and the amazing congregation of Velocity Church.

Ephesians 2:10 (NKJV) For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

New Diggs

Well, today I write this blog sitting behind my new desk in my new office.  It is a little strange to be at another church, in a different office and to be in a role as lead pastor.  I think that now, it is beginning to sink in that with the "New Diggs" comes added responsibility, greater risk, and a greater desire to not mess up.  I am just glad that God knows way more than I do.  When I'm weak, He is strong; when I have no clue, He has it all figured out.  So, as I go forward as Lead Pastor of Velocity Church, my desire is to look to God in ALL things and help lead people forward in their faith in God.

1 Corinthians 1:25 (NIV) "For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength."

See You Later

Today was our last Sunday at New Beginnings Assembly of God in Tiffin, Ohio.  I have been the associate pastor for nearly 4 years.  We have impacted several people with the Gospel of Christ and our lives have been impacted by many people as well.  It was definitely a day of celebration and that makes this transition a little easier.  I will now move on to Velocity Church as lead pastor but I will never forget New Beginnings AG or Invincible Student Ministries.  As a matter of fact, this blog will help me with that.  I was dubbed "PBS" by Dana and then it caught like wild fire and all the students of ISM and many adults call me PBS on a regular basis.  By calling this blog "Thoughts From PBS", I am sure to always make sure that today is not good bye but "See You Later."

Psalm 37:23 (NKJV) The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, And He delights in his way

Final Friday

Today is my final Friday in the office at New Beginnings Assembly of God.  For nearly four years now, I have been honored to serve as Associate Pastor of this church and leader of Invincible Student Ministries. I know that all that has happened in my life, the life of my family, and with every person I have had the opportunity to minister to, has been part of God's plan. As a believer (leave the pastor part out), I try not to sweat the small things.  I would love to say that I have the faith that doesn't allow the "big" things get to me either, but that isn't the case.  However, I do acknowledge in every aspect of my life, God is in control.  Whatever you are going through today big or small, just know that God is in control, so that when your "Final Friday" (or any day) comes, you can know that with God's help, you did things the best you could.

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Being Strong

Today, I went to sit with the family of a 17 year old boy that had been killed in a recent car accident. I will be officiating his funeral on Saturday.  I have found myself time and time again at funerals, whether I officiated them or attended them, being asked, "how do you seem so strong?"  Psalm 105:4 tells us "Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always."  To most people, it may seem as if I am disconnected or not concerned and that couldn't be farther from the truth.  I simply look to God to not only give me strength, but his strength.  My hope and prayer is that this Saturday, when I do my first funeral of a teenager, that I can remain 'Being Strong.'