Summer 2017 will go down as a season of change for my wife and I. Earlier in the year we sensed that God had something new in store for us but the path He wanted us to walk on would require us to trust in His perfect plan. In May, I concluded my ministry at Yarrow Alliance Church where I served since 2002. We said goodbye to a familiar ministry and family rhythm and simply waited for God to reveal His new direction for us. Throughout summer we prayed for clarity and discernment. We didn’t want to run ahead too quickly and miss what God had in store. He answered our prayers in His time and I began my role as Assistant District Superintendent on September 11th. The season of “wait” was stretching yet faith building.
I look forward to the journey ahead with our district family. I am excited about the future of our CPD churches as they carry out the mission of being Christ-centred, Spirit-empowered, and mission-focused. My new role primarily focuses on licensing, ordination, and leader development. My desire is to be able to walk alongside of our district leaders relationally. This will happen as many new pastors/leaders become part of our Alliance family or as many interact in our ordination cohorts. However, relationships will develop in the day to day interactions that I will be privileged to have with many of you as our paths cross.
As I begin this new role, the word that is running through my mind is “identity”. Who has God created us to be? Who has He created me to be? How is He calling us to lead? The temptation is to try and lead in my own strength. The temptation is to try and prove my worth and competence early on in my new role. However, I am reminded of the David story in 1 Samuel 17. David is heading out to fight Goliath. Saul gives him his armour, assuming this would be the best shot David had to stay alive in the conflict. You know the rest of the story. David opts not to use Saul’s armour. Instead, he leans into his God given strength(s) as a shepherd. He takes his staff and some stones and heads out to defeat the enemy.
David understood who God created him to be. Psalm 139 communicates to us that God has created us uniquely. He knows us intimately. And so, as I begin my new role, my prayer is that I would deeply understand who God has created me to be. I also pray that I would rest in my identity as a deeply loved child of God. That’s my prayer for you as well. This Father/child relationship is where our security is anchored. Our identity is not derived from our accomplishments or ministry successes.
My longing for you, my district family, is that as you lead you would rest in your identity as His child as well, and in doing so may you truly understand who He has created you to be. May that be enough for us!
In Christ,
Dwayne
