As of January 1, 2025, I will retire as IBC’s Pastor-Teacher (a position that I have filled since January 8, 1988) and Pastor Phillip Macdonald will be our Pastor-Teacher. I will be away January through June for a Sabbatical and then return as part-time Pastor of Discipleship starting July 1, 2025.
Gerri and I have many emotions at this time; but we have God’s peace and are full of gratitude. God has guided our steps and guided the leadership of IBC over the past three years in clear ways to arrive at this point. It is evident to us and to the entire congregation that the Lord brought Pastor Phillip (and Joanna) to IBC and that he is the Pastor-Teacher that IBC needs to move into the future. I am excited to see what God will do to continue to reach and make disciples under Pastor Phillip and the entire pastoral and leadership team.
I shared my heart this past month through four messages on God’s Vision for IBC’s Future. Let me summarize here:
I. What is our Approach? Confident Ministry! IBC, fan into flame the gift of God that is in you… for God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a disciplined mind (2 Timothy 1).
II. What is our Assignment? Disciple-making Ministry! IBC, the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, the same commit to faithful men (and women) who will be able to teach others also (2 Timothy 2 and the example of Jesus).
III. What is our Aspiration? Enduring Ministry! IBC, through God’s faithfulness to you, be faithful to fight the good fight, finish the race, and keep the faith (2 Timothy 4).
IV. Where is our Attention? Christ-Exalting Ministry! IBC, keep your eyes on Jesus and join heaven in constantly focusing on “Worthy is the Lamb” (Revelation 5). All four sermons are available HERE or at ibcwv.org/media-sermons
As I reflect back, Psalm 1 has been a personal ballast for my life. The path to success in God’s eyes is to delight in it and meditate in Scripture day and night. IBC, the Word of God is the rock on which we stand, the power of God to reach souls for Christ, and the discipleship tool to grow God’s people week in and week out. As we continue Bible-teaching, disciple-making ministries, God will accomplish His plan for His glory.
Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever (Ephesians 3;20-21).