Deep Bench

A “deep bench” is a term from sports that refers to a team’s ability to be successful using players that normally don’t play when the game starts. These players sit waiting on the team’s bench and are brought in when, for one reason or another, the starting players are unable to continue. If a team does not have a “deep bench” and relies on a few “star” players (or at worst a single “superstar”), the team will likely lose without them.
I was thinking about one of our staff pastor’s Sunday morning messages and what a great job he did, and how discovering our “deep bench” was one of the many blessings we’ve received during this transition in finding a new senior pastor. You see, we would have rarely had the chance to hear our pastors preach, and preach so well, had it not been for this time of transition. Our pastors even sound like a sports team: Fiske, Harp, Hintz, Morton, Peterson, and Wilcox. (I’m not forgetting the Escobar brothers, but to follow through on the sports analogy, they’re in their own “league”.)
All of our pastors have done an amazing job and have grown incredibly during this time. They’ve been stretched too, along with us, and I’m proud of each one of them.If you appreciate them too, tell them! And for those of you that would say, “Well, I prefer him,” or “I don’t particularly care for the way he…” may I offer a kind rebuke and suggest that you focus more on the Message rather than the messenger, because…
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8)
All these men have been anointed to deliver the Word “in season and out of season,” and have done an outstanding job the last nine months.
Another great blessing I’ll mention is that our new pastor will be coming into a healthy, stable church, with a staff of pastors that will be a tremendous help in making it a smooth transition. Our new pastor will be able to focus on preaching the Word while the church continues to run efficiently as he becomes familiar with everything and everyone here.
Finally, I submit that this “deep bench” extends to the entire church body of volunteer staff, prayer warriors, intercessors, (and tithers!), etc., because everyone on the team plays a part in advancing the work of the Kingdom.
So, are you part of Red Mountain’s “deep bench” or are you out of the game? Have you given up? I hope not, because we need you! The game (the battle!) is on, our opponents do not rest, and the Coach is calling you…
by Tim Schalick

Focus

The word “focus” can draw many different thoughts when you think about the word. I know I have used it many times lately directing my boys to focus on their homework. I know I heard that many times growing up, too. We have been told so many times in our life to continue to focus on something until it is complete. Focus was always the keyword. When something needs to get done you need to focus. In life, focusing on a task can be very helpful at times but can this direction to focus also hinder us? How can this direction to focus on something reveal our faith?
It seems at times that our focus is a representation of our faith. Do we give it to God and let go or do we tell it to God and then try to work it out ourselves. Our actions after we pray reveal the level of faith that we have. Worry, anxiety, unrest and the like are not based in faith. Joy, peace, patience, self-control and the like are fruits of faith. Our faith is in knowing that God has heard our prayers and we know that God will supply our needs. I have a secret. Since God lead Pastor Jeff to Springfield, He knows we need a Pastor.
Standing on a firm foundation is the key. As the old hymn says, “On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.” If you find yourself worried, anxious or feeling unrest, take some time in prayer and proclaim to God that you know He is in control and you trust Him during this time.
Let’s not focus on God’s timing for a Sr. Pastor. Instead, let’s agree to act on what God is doing right now! God wants to see Red Mountain Christian Center glorify Him and impact the Kingdom with a Senior Pastor or without one. I challenge each person to keep pressing on and let’s grow in our faith together, focusing on the now, with knowing that God holds our future!
On Christ the solid rock I stand!

- Jared Guess