Staff_Hires_and_Shepherd_Hugs.pdf

Reflections of a North Campus Pastor

With all of the staff hires going on at Bethlehem you might ask, “Why are we making these hires, and what does it mean for me?” Glad you asked. Here is a bit of perspective from some of my recent reflections.

1 Peter 5:2 exhorts the church elder-shepherds to “shepherd the flock of God that is among you.” In what manner are the shepherds to shepherd? In the manner of “exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly, not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.” When shepherds shepherd in this manner, the flock of God feels loved. But by what practical means are the shepherds to shepherd? The context of this passage doesn’t get to the level of practical means, but here are some thoughts …

Practical means of shepherding the flock are in the Bible but they are not exhaustive. Who could list all the ways this happens? One thing I know is that shepherding the flock does not happen without people to provide a shepherding influence. Eager examples that willingly exercise oversight among the flock must be real people. That’s what pastors are—real people trying to get their arms around the people of God’s flock in order to lead, protect, and care for them. Our prayer is that staff hires feel like shepherd hugs to you, dear flock of God. Here are a few real people we plan on hiring on the North Campus to accomplish this:

Jon Nowlin is in candidacy for the position of Pastor for Young Adult (Sr High) Discipleship, North Campus. He has been serving for a number of years with our young people at the North Campus, and for the last two years as a Pastoral Resident. Members will vote on Jon and his “new” position on July 25 at 3:00pm at the Downtown Campus. Oh, how Jon loves our young people!

Family Discipleship Interns will be hired within the next few weeks to work with youth and young adults on the North Campus. Who will fill these positions is still pending, but we believe that the people we have in mind will serve as an extension of pastoral care for our young people and families.

Vince Johnson is in candidacy for the position of Pastor for Neighborhood Outreach, North Campus. He has a heart hungry for reaching our Mounds View neighbors and beyond, but not by himself. Should God be pleased to bring him on staff through the member vote on July 25, I believe you will feel a shepherd hug and be influenced for reaching the lost through this man’s evangelistic example.

Tim Tomlinson is not a new hire, but he sure is a great guy! Tim already has a big job as the president of Bethlehem College and Seminary. However, if the members’ vote is affirmative on July 25, he will have even greater shepherding influence at Bethlehem through becoming a congregational elder at the North Campus.

So, you might ask, “How do I feel this hiring hug at the Downtown and South locations?” If this is you, please know that since we are one church on multiple sites, we are “members one of another” (Romans 12:5) and, Lord willing, these men will be a means of pastoral care for you, too, serving as shepherding leaven to the whole Bethlehem lump. So, may you “rejoice with those who rejoice” (Romans 12:15) here at the North Campus as we will with you when there are new hires for Downtown and South and West … and …

With Love,

Gil McConnell, Pastor for Child & Youth Discipleship, North Campus