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

Advertisement