Day 1 -- First Impressions

I want to thank everyone for a fantastic first Sunday. Firsts are important because you never get another one. First steps, first words, first birthdays ... we celebrate them because we know they are special. Here's another one ... first impressions. Jesus made quite a first impression on Nathaniel (John 1:45-49), as well as a number of those on the recieving end of his miraculous touch. Well ... first impressions are important.

Allow me a moment to reflect on my first day as your pastor and give you my first impressions of the First Baptist Church of Richardson, Texas.

I see a church that is excited about the future. It is refreshing to see a church full of people who believe in the power of God and know that God has something special for their future. I want us to ride that wave of excitement into this New Beginning God has set before us. A few might say that the excitement will die down after awhile. Some would reason that everyone is just excited to have a new pastor. My first impression from most of the people I have met is that, although they are excited to have a new pastor ... more than that ... they are excited that God is doing a new thing in the life of their church. The excitement seems to be centered on the fact that God has brought me here, and that God is doing something new. If that is true ... if the excitement is centered on what God is doing (and not on Ellis) ... then it will not die down ... in fact, it will only grow stonger as we allow God to have his way with us.

I also see a church that is highly committed to the Lord and ready to love each other. This is the most powerful force on the face of the earth ... a body of Christ that knows how to love God and love each other. It is absolutely unstoppable. I believe that we are on the brink of something very special. Nothing I will do can make this happen. Only God can do something this special. It is an honor to be a small part of it. It is a glorious thing to stand in the shadow of the almighty and watch him move mountains.

Finally, I see a church that desperately wants to be a part of what God is doing to save a lost world. We may not always know exactly how to help. We may make a few mistakes and take a few missteps, but I believe that, in the end, God will honor our hearts as much as our feeble attempts and we will see Him do great things in our midst. I wouldn't be here if I didn't believe that will all my heart.

Just a few first impressions ...

Pray today that God would show you the marvelous things he is doing all around you and what part you might play, if you would just join him.

Blessings!
Pastor Ellis