What is your religious background?
My background is Baptist. There are many “stripes” of Baptists, the most well-known being Southern Baptist. I come from what is typically called the IFB, which stands for Independent Fundamental Baptist. This stripe is the most conservative.
You may wonder if I am still in the IFB. The answer to that is complicated. In basic doctrine, yes, but my spirit, attitude, practice, and preferences have been humbled. God has changed me. A five-year journey with God through the valley of forced termination has brought about a work in my life that would likely not have happened otherwise.
What is forced termination?
It is when a pastor resigns or is involuntarily dismissed due to no fault, moral failure, or dereliction of duty on the pastor’s part. It is brought about through the toxicity of a minority in the church. Granted, the enemy here is not the few but the Devil who works through the few to destroy a pastor, his family, and that local church. Until it happened to me, I had never really heard about it. But, across denominational lines, 23% to 41% of pastors will experience this at least once in their ministry.
When did you become a Christian?
God saved me when I was 15. I was one of the good kids in our church, but I was at war with God. I told God that if He would leave me alone, I would leave Him alone. But He wouldn’t leave me alone! I am so grateful to God for His love and grace!
Have you written any books?
No, not yet! My intention over 2024 is to write daily and use this blog as a starting point. I love to write! I do have several topics I want to put into a book format. And yes, you might have guessed it, my five-year journey through forced termination is one of them!
What’s your plan for this blog?
I plan to publish God’s glorious deeds as I have seen and experienced them! What that means in practicality is sharing my Christian life with you. Sharing my labor in the Word of God as a shepherd. Sharing the ups and the downs, the trials and the triumphs, all from the perspective of God’s goodness. I aim for this to comfort and encourage you! The first place I am starting is to journal my daily Bible reading. I hope you are finding that to be an encouragement!