Thought it might be a good idea to post a few of my own personal Email and Facebook "rules" for my new friends at Raleigh Road BC and anyone else who sends email my way...these are not intended for or directed to anyone in particular, just a quick public posting for clear communications:
1. I seldom forward anything...ever...even if it is a really touching story...etc.
2. I NEVER forward anything that tells me "if you really love God" / "if you are proud of our troops" / "if you are proud to be an American" / "if you really love Jesus" send this to 10 friends. Really? I love God. I love Jesus. I am extremely proud of our troops and I am proud (and blessed) to be an American...but, neither my faith nor my sense of patriotism are increased by sending an email to 10 (or 100) people.
3. I NEVER forward emails that tell me to send this to the person who sent it to me and 10 other friends that I really care about...do you really want my concern / love / affection to be tied to an email? I didn't think so...If I know you, I love you...at least in Christ, and maybe as a great friend...but, I don't think our relationship is determined by an email that has been circulating for years!
4. I ALWAYS verify stories emailed to me at www.snopes.com ...if you send me one that proves to be false (i.e. threat to religious broadcasting, Pres Obama's muslim allegiances, stories about the troops, etc), I will send you (and everyone else who received the original email) a note that says something like: "God is a God of Truth...and he calls us to be people of truth. Spreading falsehoods does not advance God's kingdom. Please verify stories like this before forwarding."
5. If any of the first 4 offend you...I apologize and ask that you simply do not send me the types of emails in question...that way you will not be perpetually offended! Ha!
6. On Facebook, I try my best to keep my status updated...but, I do not guarantee that I will respond quickly to every comment or message. I will do my best...
7. On Facebook, I ALMOST NEVER respond to event invitations, mafia requests, or quizzes...And, I NEVER "send gifts", etc on Facebook...quite honestly, I have enough trouble just keeping it updated with my current status!
8. As for this blog...I will do my dead level best to keep it updated once a week...usually related to something God is teaching me or something we are learning together at RRBC. Of course, sometimes I will digress and put up a post about something completely "unspiritual" (i.e. Like the one I am thinking about posting regarding my newfound appreciation for Tony Stewart...after he spun Kyle Bush!)
Ok...that should do it...hopefully this will prevent too many hurt feelings in the wonderful world of electronic communication!
God's best...
Pastor Rob
Monday, July 6, 2009
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Pochek's Accept Call to NC
On Sunday, May 17, 2009, the people of God at Raleigh Road Baptist Church (http://www.raleighroad.com/) extended a call to me to serve as Senior Pastor. The story of how we came into contact with each other and what led us to accept the call is long...but I will give the "Reader's Digest" condensed version.
In early 2008, I began to experience an uncomfortable amount of conviction about whether I was truly using the gifts and abilities God has invested in me to their fullest capacity. In part this conviction was spurred along from a morning devotional reading of the parable of the talents (Mt 25). I began to pray through whether God wanted me to lead Lighthouse to another level, or whether He might desire to call us away to another place of service. About six to eight months or so into the process of wrestling through this, God seemed to make it clear that He would be moving us at some point. We did not know when or where...but were pretty sure that it was to happen. Yet, nothing transpired. So, we waited, continued to serve faithfully at Lighthouse, and to pray.
When a year passed (Jan 2009), and we remained in Nashville, I started to question whether I had heard God clearly or not. I met with several trusted friends to seek their advice. One of the most poignant meetings was with Pastor Fred Winters of FBC Maryville. Fred and I had lunch at a little Mexican restaurant just down from the church he served. Over that lunch Fred confirmed that, in his opinion, it was time for me to consider a move to more fully realize the potential that God had put in me.
Shortly after that meeting, we were contacted by several churches, each indicating that I was in their final group of candidates. All of the churches we had contact with during this stretch were represented by wonderful groups of people who sought to discern the Lord's will, just as we were seeking to do. Ultimately, we respectfully withdrew from a number of those searches, not sensing the Lord's leading to continue forward. Again, all of those churches are doing great things and we enjoyed meeting teams from each one of them.
In late April, we were contacted by the search team chair at Raleigh Road Baptist Church indicating that God had led their team to me as their primary candidate. You can read some of their testimonies at their website: http://www.raleighroad.com/. A visit was set up for Susy and I May 1-3. We made that visit and both we and the search team felt led to continue forward. We were then invited to visit the church in view of a call May 15-17. Susy and I prayed and asked the Lord for a clear confirmation that we were to accept the call, if it were extended and it was His will. He more than spoke as the church overwhelmingly (97.5% affirative) extended a call to us.
I would be remiss if I did not say how difficult this process has been. We have been in Nashville for 12 years and have many dear friends here. We have, literally, watched children grow up before our eyes...indeed, I'll be performing a wedding ceremony next week for a young man who was in grade school when we first got here! As we have become fond of saying: God seldom calls us to the path of least resistance! Yet, we have great excitement over what is ahead for us and for Raleigh Road Baptist Church. Please keep us, RRBC and Lighthouse Church in your prayers. We are all about to enter a phase in which our comfort zones are stretched significantly: us as we adjust to a new church and area; RRBC as they adjust to a new pastor and his eccentricities; and Lighthouse as they begin a time of transition. I am confident, however, that out of our comfort zones is exactly where God wants us!
In early 2008, I began to experience an uncomfortable amount of conviction about whether I was truly using the gifts and abilities God has invested in me to their fullest capacity. In part this conviction was spurred along from a morning devotional reading of the parable of the talents (Mt 25). I began to pray through whether God wanted me to lead Lighthouse to another level, or whether He might desire to call us away to another place of service. About six to eight months or so into the process of wrestling through this, God seemed to make it clear that He would be moving us at some point. We did not know when or where...but were pretty sure that it was to happen. Yet, nothing transpired. So, we waited, continued to serve faithfully at Lighthouse, and to pray.
When a year passed (Jan 2009), and we remained in Nashville, I started to question whether I had heard God clearly or not. I met with several trusted friends to seek their advice. One of the most poignant meetings was with Pastor Fred Winters of FBC Maryville. Fred and I had lunch at a little Mexican restaurant just down from the church he served. Over that lunch Fred confirmed that, in his opinion, it was time for me to consider a move to more fully realize the potential that God had put in me.
Shortly after that meeting, we were contacted by several churches, each indicating that I was in their final group of candidates. All of the churches we had contact with during this stretch were represented by wonderful groups of people who sought to discern the Lord's will, just as we were seeking to do. Ultimately, we respectfully withdrew from a number of those searches, not sensing the Lord's leading to continue forward. Again, all of those churches are doing great things and we enjoyed meeting teams from each one of them.
In late April, we were contacted by the search team chair at Raleigh Road Baptist Church indicating that God had led their team to me as their primary candidate. You can read some of their testimonies at their website: http://www.raleighroad.com/. A visit was set up for Susy and I May 1-3. We made that visit and both we and the search team felt led to continue forward. We were then invited to visit the church in view of a call May 15-17. Susy and I prayed and asked the Lord for a clear confirmation that we were to accept the call, if it were extended and it was His will. He more than spoke as the church overwhelmingly (97.5% affirative) extended a call to us.
I would be remiss if I did not say how difficult this process has been. We have been in Nashville for 12 years and have many dear friends here. We have, literally, watched children grow up before our eyes...indeed, I'll be performing a wedding ceremony next week for a young man who was in grade school when we first got here! As we have become fond of saying: God seldom calls us to the path of least resistance! Yet, we have great excitement over what is ahead for us and for Raleigh Road Baptist Church. Please keep us, RRBC and Lighthouse Church in your prayers. We are all about to enter a phase in which our comfort zones are stretched significantly: us as we adjust to a new church and area; RRBC as they adjust to a new pastor and his eccentricities; and Lighthouse as they begin a time of transition. I am confident, however, that out of our comfort zones is exactly where God wants us!
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Calling or Comfort?
This Sunday at LCC, we will be examining what the story of Daniel in the Bible as we think about our disposition toward our circumstances. Daniel (and his friends) had much to complain about. They were carried into a foreign land as prisoners, they were put on a restricted diet of foreign foods, re-educated in the history and philosophy of their captor's country. They were even renamed - had their very identities taken from them. The question we want to think about is: What attitude should we take when it seems like all of life is stacked against us? Should we simply recoil into a shell? There is the very real danger of becoming "paralyzed" by the circumstances of life that are beyond our control. We can begin to adopt an "it doesn't matter" attitude toward what we do, believing that nothing will change. But, God has made us for more than that kind of attitude.
Now, Sunday is also Mother's Day. Could there be a much better day to examine such a question? Godly moms know the challenge of having to put their plans on hold for the benefit of their children. Godly moms can make that sacrifice knowing that motherhood is a calling from God. When God calls us to serve him he rarely calls us to a life of ease and comfort. Rather, he calls us to a life of great sacrifice and, often, suffering - but he gives joy in the midst of it. Sacrifice, suffering, AND joy? Yes. That is the biblical picture of a great and high calling. Sacrifice and suffering are involved because God calls us out of our comfort zones into a life of radial commitment to Him. That commitment means that we put ALL on the table and offer it to Him to use as He wills. Another way to think about it is this: the way of the cross is not found along the path of least resistance! As a general rule, if it is the easy choice; if it is the choice the is most pleasing to self; if it is the choice that requires the least amount of sacrifice - it is probably not the choice God would have us make. (Perhaps I should reveal the significant amount of Steve Camp music I listened to as a young Christian - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vbmsq1soVio!)
Is God calling you to take a risk for him?
Has God been calling you out of your comfort zone for the sake of his kingdom?
Have I said to much here...what kind of "but's" are you thinking of?
Now, Sunday is also Mother's Day. Could there be a much better day to examine such a question? Godly moms know the challenge of having to put their plans on hold for the benefit of their children. Godly moms can make that sacrifice knowing that motherhood is a calling from God. When God calls us to serve him he rarely calls us to a life of ease and comfort. Rather, he calls us to a life of great sacrifice and, often, suffering - but he gives joy in the midst of it. Sacrifice, suffering, AND joy? Yes. That is the biblical picture of a great and high calling. Sacrifice and suffering are involved because God calls us out of our comfort zones into a life of radial commitment to Him. That commitment means that we put ALL on the table and offer it to Him to use as He wills. Another way to think about it is this: the way of the cross is not found along the path of least resistance! As a general rule, if it is the easy choice; if it is the choice the is most pleasing to self; if it is the choice that requires the least amount of sacrifice - it is probably not the choice God would have us make. (Perhaps I should reveal the significant amount of Steve Camp music I listened to as a young Christian - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vbmsq1soVio!)
Is God calling you to take a risk for him?
Has God been calling you out of your comfort zone for the sake of his kingdom?
Have I said to much here...what kind of "but's" are you thinking of?
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Link to a Great Message
This is the text of Dr. Danny Akin's message in Chapel at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary on April 16, 2009...it is well worth reading!
http://betweenthetimes.com/2009/04/16/akin-axioms-for-a-great-commission-resurgence/
http://betweenthetimes.com/2009/04/16/akin-axioms-for-a-great-commission-resurgence/
Game Over!
Most of us - at least in my generation - still played board games during our childhood. I remember a number of them: Chutes and Ladders (when I was REALLY young), Chess, Checkers, Clue...but the favorite in my parent's household was Monopoly...That was the one place that a blue collar meatcutter like my father could feel like a titan of industry...and, he did! He was relentless. He knew which properties were junk (i.e. Mediterranean or Baltic Avenue) and which ones were really valuable (i.e. Boardwalk, Park Place, etc). And, he was fierce when it came to demanding rent.
Now, in my household we don't do much with Monopoly...we prefer to play the Andy Griffith Trivia game or Seinfeld Scene It...but, regardless of the game, here is the truth - no matter how much money my father accumulated...when the game was over, it all went back in the box. And, no matter how often I show off my knowledge of Andy Griffith trivia (i.e. knowing who played unlucky peddler Newton Monroe...), when the game is over, it all goes back in the box!
On Easter Sunday we began a new series entitled, GAME OVER!. The series is based on John Ortberg's book and small group study, When the Game is Over, It all Goes Back in the Box...In fact, all of our small groups will be using Ortberg's study guide during their time together. The focus of this series will be learning to live in light of eternity. We will be asking questions...hard questions, like: What are you living for? By what do you measure success? Are you living for comfort or for your calling?
Resources we will be using can be found here:
http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?item_no=282464&netp_id=511127&event=ESRCN&item_code=WW&view=covers#curr
Now, in my household we don't do much with Monopoly...we prefer to play the Andy Griffith Trivia game or Seinfeld Scene It...but, regardless of the game, here is the truth - no matter how much money my father accumulated...when the game was over, it all went back in the box. And, no matter how often I show off my knowledge of Andy Griffith trivia (i.e. knowing who played unlucky peddler Newton Monroe...), when the game is over, it all goes back in the box!
On Easter Sunday we began a new series entitled, GAME OVER!. The series is based on John Ortberg's book and small group study, When the Game is Over, It all Goes Back in the Box...In fact, all of our small groups will be using Ortberg's study guide during their time together. The focus of this series will be learning to live in light of eternity. We will be asking questions...hard questions, like: What are you living for? By what do you measure success? Are you living for comfort or for your calling?
Resources we will be using can be found here:
http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?item_no=282464&netp_id=511127&event=ESRCN&item_code=WW&view=covers#curr
I hope that when the game is over for each of us, we have lived a life that is rich toward God and accumulated "wealth" in heaven, rather than gone after a bunch of stuff that will just go...back in the box!
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Passionately Devoted: Pro-Life Argument at the Final Four
Thanks to my friend Lyle Larson for posting this today...
Passionately Devoted: Pro-Life Argument at the Final Four
"She knew she wouldn't be able to take care of me, so she gave me up...It's the most unselfish thing she could have done for me. The people I'm with now are the greatest people in the world. Without them, I wouldn't be in the position I am now. I thank God every day that they gave me the opportunity to live."
--Scottie Reynolds, Villanova Wildcats
Passionately Devoted: Pro-Life Argument at the Final Four
"She knew she wouldn't be able to take care of me, so she gave me up...It's the most unselfish thing she could have done for me. The people I'm with now are the greatest people in the world. Without them, I wouldn't be in the position I am now. I thank God every day that they gave me the opportunity to live."--Scottie Reynolds, Villanova Wildcats
Monday, March 30, 2009
Preparing to Live in Light of the "Box!"
On Easter Sunday, LCC will begin a six part series based on John Ortberg's book "When the Game is Over, It All Goes Back in the Box." We are calling this series Game Over!. In Game Over!, we will get to the heart of what it means to be rich toward God if you are going to "win" in the game of life. Is life all about toys, promotions, houses, 401K's, and Harleys (did I have to go there?) OR is there something that lasts longer (no Harley comments here!), something more significant for which we were made?
I want to encourage you to bring your unchurched friends, family, and neighbors with you on Easter Sunday as we begin to discuss this vital issue with a sermon about living a life that is rich toward God. We will start on Easter Sunday because it is Jesus' death and resurrection on our behalf that makes it possible for us to live a life rich toward God.
Here is the proposed schedule...I call it proposed because you never know when God may choose to change our plans!
April 12 - Game Over!
April 19 - Keeping Score
May 3 - Master of the Board
May 10 - Choose Your Move Wisely
May 17 - Playing the Game Well
May 24 - The King Has One More Move
*On April 26, Dave Metcalf will be preaching in both services. Be sure to come out and support him!
I want to encourage you to bring your unchurched friends, family, and neighbors with you on Easter Sunday as we begin to discuss this vital issue with a sermon about living a life that is rich toward God. We will start on Easter Sunday because it is Jesus' death and resurrection on our behalf that makes it possible for us to live a life rich toward God.
Here is the proposed schedule...I call it proposed because you never know when God may choose to change our plans!
April 12 - Game Over!
April 19 - Keeping Score
May 3 - Master of the Board
May 10 - Choose Your Move Wisely
May 17 - Playing the Game Well
May 24 - The King Has One More Move
*On April 26, Dave Metcalf will be preaching in both services. Be sure to come out and support him!
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