UPDATE:

Brent Moore has received a job!  Thanks for partnering with me in praying for Brent and Courtney.  The Lord has surely answered our prayers, and the Moore’s as well.

What is your new position?

Pastor of Students and Families at Northbrook Church in Three Way, TN (North Jackson)

When did you start?

May 1^st

What will you be doing?

Ministering to students from 7^th grade through college as well as equipping the families to lead their children during this time period

Why Northbrook?

It is a great fit for Courtney (my wife) and I; it has two components that are vital for sustained ministry, same methodology (how you do ministry) and theology (what you believe about God)

How is this church an answer to prayer?

It came at exactly the right time, down to the very day of when I needed to start working.  Also it provides me with a lot of freedom to do ministry based on both my convictions and gifting.

What are some other things you look forward to in this position?

I’ll be able to preach somewhat regularly on a Sunday morning (as it looks right now about every other month) and I’ll be able to be a part of a small group, which I already believed was the way to go for effective daily ministry

Brent, we’re so excited for you, and rejoice that you are able to minister the Gospel once again in a local church.

Looking back over my life, I can count a couple of people that I invested in, and saw spiritual growth growth.  But it’s very few of those people who I can say, in return, invested in me.

Brent Moore and I have been friends since middle school.  Our friendship started off at the lunch table, where, every Monday-Friday, from 10:25-10:50, we ate lunch, traded sandwiches, and tried to stay away from the various food fights that would swirl around us.  I didn’t know it then, but God was at work in building our friendship.

We continued on into high school together.  And then college.  And then graduate school.  And we continue to remain close friends.  Brent is one of the few friends in my life that I can say really made an investment in me spiritually.   It’s not that I haven’t had significant friends.  Or that I’ve had terrible friends.  It’s just that, looking back, I can see that I had a lot of fun with other guys and matured, but it wasn’t necessarily a spiritual growth.  I’d count them as good friends, but if I were to be honest, Brent was one of the few that helped me become a more faithful disciple of Christ.

Brent is a natural leader.  Wherever the Lord has led him in life, others have looked to him to lead.  Brent is an amazing vision-caster.  He can rally a group of people around a common mission like none other.  God has so obviously gifted Brent for preaching.  He preaches with the wisdom of one who has served in ministry for a lifetime, and seems to have a knack for making difficult ideas seem easy to comprehend.  His clarity from the pulpit leads others to grow spiritually, and that clarity is only matched by the personal character that Brent displays on a daily basis.

Brent, like Alan Danielson, is searching for a ministry position.  In order to give you a snapshot of Brent, and not just my words about him, I put together some questions that a typical “search committee” (or whatever form of a team a church body would assemble in order to find the person God has especially called to lead that local congregation).

I asked Brent to keep his responses brief, but you can meet Brent on Facebook HERE, or you can find his resume HERE (link to pdf).

When it comes to ministry, what thing(s)/areas of ministry are you most passionate about?

I love to see people’s “lights” go on about who Christ is and what he has done for them.  Basically the Gospel lived out in people’s lives.
Besides ministry, what things are important to you?

Beyond family I would say history.  I love to study history, specifically American History.

What do you do for fun?

I have always liked to run.  My wife and I also enjoy entertaining in our home.

How has the Lord gifted you for full-time vocational ministry?

The Lord has gifted me in the area of vision and leadership that most often exercises itself in teaching and preaching, although I also have a fondness for counseling

How do you know you’re called to ministry?

I couldn’t be satisfied doing anything else, plus all that know me and have seen me minister affirm my calling.

What is it about doing full-time ministry that gets you going in the morning?

I can’t believe I get paid to do what I love.  I love both the good and bad of the day and the ministry in the church because I see how the Lord is working it all for good.

What is your weakness?

Self-reliance.  When I should be dependent upon the Lord and others to do something I am often guilty of doing it in my own strength.

What kinds of things do you look for in a church where you would serve?

Leadership.  Everything rises and falls on leadership.  The church cannot rise above the level of their leadership.

What makes a healthy church?

Happy, Holy people.  Genuine love for the Lord and each other and concerned about their personal holiness before a watching world.

What is the purpose of church?

To glorify God, which is the purpose of individuals as well.  This is done by doing the first and second commandment that Jesus gave in their context and time.

How important is “teamwork” to you?  Does it matter to you who you serve with?

Very important, I want my co-workers to be my best friends who have each other’s back and genuinely enjoy one another and their families.  So it matters who you serve with, their theology, vision of the church, and character.

Orange carpet or brown?

Brown, in high school the church I attended had orange carpet in the sanctuary and everybody made fun of it.

Again, you can find Brent on Facebook HERE, or you can find his resume HERE (link to pdf).

Is your church looking to hire a lead pastor?

Do you know of a church looking to hire one?

I’m doing some legwork for you (or them).  Here is an interview with a friend of mine, Alan Danielson.

Ever felt like God called you and equipped you to do something…yet the opportunity to express those gifts didn’t quickly come to fruition?  Friends of my blog: meet Alan.  Alan, meet the friends of my blog.

I “met” Alan about a year ago through his blog.  I thoroughly enjoyed his updates that got my mind stirred about ministry.  Then, I had the privilege of being in a small group with Alan via Tokbox.  I loved hearing his heart, and seeing him offer sound, biblical wisdom to those in the group who were hurting and needed pastoring.  Unfortunately, because of scheduling conflicts, I had to pull out of the group, but Alan and I have maintained contact.

Here’s my official, unsolicited endorsement of Alan: Alan is a leader.  A pioneer.  He thrives on shepherding a team of folks to accomplish the mission and vision of a congregation.  Alan is creative.  He would bring great enthusiasm and wisdom (a rare combination) to any team he were a part of.  He has expertise in preaching/teaching, small groups, online ministry, and writing.  He’s spoken (and been on staff at) mega-churches, small churches, conferences, and home-based small groups.  But maybe the thing that has impressed me the most about Alan is hearing him pray.  The way that a person prays says a lot about their spiritual maturity.  Alan prays as one whose heart beats after God.

In order to give you a snapshot of Alan, and not just my words about him, I put together some questions that a typical “search committee” (or whatever form of a team a church body would assemble in order to find the person God has especially called to lead that local congregation)

I asked Alan to keep his responses brief, so to see his resume, preaching/teaching videos, recommendations, family pictures, blog, and more, you can find him at http://www.alandanielson.tv.

When it comes to ministry, what thing(s)/areas of ministry are you most passionate about?

I’m most passionate about mission and evangelism that results in discipling relationships.

Besides ministry, what things are important to you?

My relationship with God, my family, and Star Wars!

What do you do for fun?

I collect Star Wars memorabilia and create hand-made lightsaber replicas.

How has the Lord gifted you for full-time vocational ministry?

I’m a relational leader and an effective communicator.

How do you know you’re called to ministry?

I’ve been in vocational ministry since I graduated high school in 1990 and led literally thousands of people.  God has chosen to use me and that constantly affirms my call.

What is it about doing full-time ministry that gets you going in the morning?

Personally connecting with people and helping them discover the ways they can grow to become like Jesus!

What strengths do you bring to the table?

Relational ability, communication, activating people to action, developing/implementing strategy, and faith.

What are your weaknesses?

Organization, spreading myself too thin, balancing work and health, and cheese burgers.

What kinds of things do you look for in a church where you would serve?

Cultural relevance, unapologetic evangelism, great family ministry, and good theology.

What makes a healthy church?

Unity, clear vision, passionate leadership, articulate leadership, and simple strategy.

What is the purpose of church?

Joining with others to fulfill Christ’s Mission through which we experience radical spiritual Formation and unbreakable relational Connection

How important is “teamwork” to you?  Does it matter to you who you serve with?

Prime importance!  Chemistry is the biggest factor in determining a team’s success, so yes, it definitely matters who I serve with.  If the right chemistry isn’t there, disappointment will surely follow.

What is your Myers-Briggs score?

ENFP, so I’m in need of professional help!

Orange carpet or brown?

Orange, because my wife is an Oklahoma State University fan.  Hey, if momma ain’t happy, nobody’s happy.

To read more, and connect with, Alan, you can find him HERE.