How I Want to Pastor

Matt Chandler is the lead teaching pastor at Village Church. Amy discovered him not that long ago and told me that I needed to check him out. She said that he, Matt Chandler, reminded her of me. She said, that I was a lot like him. From God's call in my life to my desire to pastor a church to how I hope God will use me to disciple His people and be a part of how He grows His kingdom. The more she listened, the more she encouraged me to listen.

Recently we made a trip to visit family in the Baltimore area. It was a 4 and a half hour ride, and the perfect opportunity to meet Mr. Chandler, via Amy's iPod. It didn't take long and I was hooked on his teaching. Since that trip, I have listened to a couple more of Matt's podcasts. But it wasn't till today that I went to YouTube and looked him up that I found the video below. I hit play and in within the first 15 minutes it was like I was listening to myself. Not that I teach like Matt, but I heard his heart and I recognized it. It was my heart. Amy was dead on, he is a lot like me, or I was a lot like him.

When I accepted the call to become the lead pastor at Harvest Church, I had grandiose ideas of what I thought I could do as a pastor. I believe my heart was pure. I believe that God was leading me into the position of pastor. And I believe the desire to be authentic while  building a ministry that focuses on what it means to be the Church. Not a church, but THE CHURCH.

I want to invite you to watch the first installment of Matt Chandlers series on ACTS. As you listen, Matt speaks about his call to what is now The Village Church, and his vision for the church was shaped. Beyond Matt's heart, there is an amazing message about the church and it's purpose. Check it out, then check out the rest of the series. You can find a link to the entire series below. Some of what Matt talks about is related to the ministry of The Village Church. But my hope is that you will listen beyond that and hear his message for the church.

Thanks Matt, for your insight, your wisdom, and your passion for the church and church plants and planters. i hope to learn a lot from you!

- jay 

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