Back to the basics of ministry

By Rev. DAVID L. CHANCEY
Pastor

Every now and then, when I need to get back to the basics, I listen to the cassette tape of my ordination service. I was ordained to the gospel ministry Jan. 1, 1984, by First Baptist Church in Milledgeville. It was a very meaningful service.

Roy W. Hinchey, the pastor under whose ministry I was converted and baptized as a youngster, preached the ordination sermon. My father prayed the ordination prayer. Both are now deceased.

An ordination service is a special worship experience in which a person who has been called by God to the ministry is set aside by the church for service through vocational ministry. The church family officially recognizes one’s gifts for ministry and supports one’s distinct calling to ministry. I listened to the tape for the first time in over a year as I was driving to Athens last week and it prompted me to reflect over the past twenty years of ministry.

I graduated from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in May, 1985, and didn’t have a place to serve. I filed for an extension to stay in seminary housing past graduation, and began dealing with a church in Indiana. They decided I was their man and I began my ministry there Aug. 1. Carmel Baptist was a brand new church in a north Indianapolis suburb. It was my first pastorate and I cut my teeth there.

I was green as grass and scared to death, but also was very excited to be in my first pastorate. In that church I learned to preach, to lead, and how to manage my time in ministry. I also learned about the dynamics of following the founding pastor.

We stayed there over five years before returning to Georgia, where I served Cool Springs Baptist in Tate in the foothills of the beautiful north Georgia mountains. We literally moved from the city to the country. The people were wonderful and I was surprised at the great growth opportunity that was present as the population began to creep up I-575. We had people joining the church who were leaving the congestion of the suburbs and moving to the country where they could own 14 acres and a horse. The church grew and we stayed there 8 1/2 years.

Then we moved to Fayetteville in 1999 to serve this great church family. This is an awesome opportunity in a fine community and we have enjoyed the people and the area. It’s a privilege to serve with this church family and to stand before them each week to preach and share. It’s a joy to be in their homes and to be part of their lives.

Serving in the ministry has been fun and fulfilling for the most part, but it hasn’t all been easy. There have been blessings, blunders and problems along the way. Any time you work closely with people you will encounter problems. But the rewards have far outweighed any pain.

I’ve enjoyed the people. Ministry is about helping people. I am blessed when I get to see growth in someone’s life. It’s hard to measure spiritual growth, but you know it’s taking place when someone shares how they’ve developed in the Lord. It thrills me to see new members joining God’s church. It’s always a privilege to be invited to share in someone’s critical moment, such as leading a funeral service or officiating a wedding. Being part of people’s lives as pastor means so much. When people open their lives to you and include you, you’re blessed.

For example, this June I will perform the marriage ceremony for a young lady that was a member of my church in Indiana. I baptized her and became lifelong friends with her family. They moved to Knoxville before we returned to Georgia and we’ve stayed in touch through the years. This May, I’ve been invited to return to North Georgia and perform the wedding for another young lady who was part of my previous pastorate there. What a privilege!

I’ve also enjoyed the preaching. I spend a good part of my week getting ready for Sunday. No matter what else happens during the week, Sunday is coming and the people expect you to have God’s message. I try to be ready. And when the moment comes, I enjoy delivering the sermon.

And I’ve enjoyed the whole aspect of shepherding. I’ve tried to follow Jesus’ example and demonstrate a servant spirit. I enjoy seeing the church make progress, and being the undershepherd is very fulfilling.

I can’t believe it’s been 20 years. I think I’ll sign on for another 20.

(Dr. David L. Chancey is pastor of McDonough Road Baptist Church in Fayetteville. The church family meets at 352 McDonough Road and invites you to join them for Bible study at 9:45 a.m. and worship at 10:45 a.m. this Sunday.)