This past Sunday my wife and I announced that we would be leaving the church we started in Pontiac, Michigan to start another church in Kansas City, Missouri (see previous two posts). In the next few weeks I want to share some of the things that I'm learning through this transition.
First things first. Vanessa and I love the church here in Pontiac, but God loves the church even more. When I think about how much we love and care for the people at PFWC I'm quickly reminded that God's love and care is far beyond what I can ever comprehend.
That's encouraging for a few reasons:
1. If God loves the church the most then He will always do what's best. Sometimes transitions
don't make sense to us. It can be difficult to understand the why or the how, but God knows best. He loves and cares more for the church than anyone else.
2. Jesus died for the church, not me. It's His church. It always has been, and it always will be. I'm thankful that the Chief Shepherd allowed me to serve here as an under-shepherd these past 4 1/2 years. Though I'm gone Jesus is still here, and He always will be.
3. God doesn't rob from one church to bless another. God loves the people in Pontiac and the people in KC. He not sending us to the people in KC at the expense of the people in Pontiac. God will provide new leadership for PFWC and bless the new work in KC.
God loves His church...and I love being part of it!
Friday, December 7, 2007
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Resignation Letter
Below is a copy of the resignation letter that I shared with the PFWC family today. The entire message will be available this week through our podcast or our website. This has been the most difficult day we've ever had in ministry. Thanks again for all of your prayers during this time.
Dear PFWC Family,
“The steps of a righteous man are ordered of the Lord.” Every time I read this passage from Psalm 37:23 I’m reminded that my life is not my own. I belong to God. Vanessa belongs to God. We’ve committed both our individual lives and our marriage to His calling and purpose. We’ve resolved to travel together down the path that He has set before us. We’ve entrusted our steps to Him.
It was God’s leading that brought us to Pontiac in May of 2003. It was His plan for us to start Pontiac Family Worship Center. He gave us a passion for this city and over the last few years we’ve developed a love for each and every one of you. The blessings of God have been abundant and you have made this journey so wonderful. I’m convinced that our days here have been ordained by the Lord.
That’s why today is so difficult. Through many months of prayer and Godly counsel we are convinced that God is asking us to travel down a new path, a path that will lead us away from Pontiac and away from the PFWC family. This decision is the most difficult one we’ve had to make up to this point in our ministry. The difficulty comes not in saying yes to the Lord, but in saying goodbye to all of you.
In our hearts we never thought this day would come. I guess that’s why God has reminded us lately of Proverbs 16:9. “In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.” We’ve served here with the mindset that we would never leave. However, the Lord has been stirring our hearts and we can say with full certainty that our time here is coming to an end.
Today, December 2, 2007, we are officially resigning as your pastors with the full intent to provide transitional leadership for the next 90 days. Our last Sunday will be February 24, 2008. During this transitional time we will be working with Steve Bradshaw and the leadership of the Michigan District of the Assemblies of God since our church comes under the umbrella of the Assemblies of God fellowship.
After this time of transition Vanessa and I will be moving to Kansas City, Missouri to start a new church in my hometown. We are stepping out in faith believing God to do a similar work like He’s done here in Pontiac. It’s our desire to continue to see souls come to Christ and church planting is the best way to see that mission accomplished. God has asked us to pioneer another church and we’ve said yes to His call.
Please hear these words from the bottom of our hearts. Though our relationship as your pastors will change, our love for all of you will not. That’s why this is so difficult. We’ve become family over the past few years and now we’re moving away. As hard as it is to say goodbye the fact is we’re still family. As a matter of fact, maybe goodbye is the wrong word. The phrase “see you later” seems more appropriate.
One day we’ll all be together again, but this time it will be forever. We’ll spend eternity together in the presence of the Lord. What a glorious day that will be. In the meantime, let me share verse 25 of the Psalm that I opened with: “I was young and now I’m old, but I’ve never seen the righteous forsaken or the children begging for bread.” That’s a promise that we can all hang on to during this time.
God directs our steps and promises not to leave us nor forsake us. I’m confident that if God is leading us on to something new and wonderful then the same is true for all of you. God will not take from one at the expense of another. If God is preparing to bless Vanessa and I with a new work then He’s preparing to bless all of you with a new pastor. We really believe that your best days are yet ahead, and though we will not always be your pastors we will always be family.
Respectfully submitted with love for all you,
Bobby and Vanessa Hawk
Dear PFWC Family,
“The steps of a righteous man are ordered of the Lord.” Every time I read this passage from Psalm 37:23 I’m reminded that my life is not my own. I belong to God. Vanessa belongs to God. We’ve committed both our individual lives and our marriage to His calling and purpose. We’ve resolved to travel together down the path that He has set before us. We’ve entrusted our steps to Him.
It was God’s leading that brought us to Pontiac in May of 2003. It was His plan for us to start Pontiac Family Worship Center. He gave us a passion for this city and over the last few years we’ve developed a love for each and every one of you. The blessings of God have been abundant and you have made this journey so wonderful. I’m convinced that our days here have been ordained by the Lord.
That’s why today is so difficult. Through many months of prayer and Godly counsel we are convinced that God is asking us to travel down a new path, a path that will lead us away from Pontiac and away from the PFWC family. This decision is the most difficult one we’ve had to make up to this point in our ministry. The difficulty comes not in saying yes to the Lord, but in saying goodbye to all of you.
In our hearts we never thought this day would come. I guess that’s why God has reminded us lately of Proverbs 16:9. “In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.” We’ve served here with the mindset that we would never leave. However, the Lord has been stirring our hearts and we can say with full certainty that our time here is coming to an end.
Today, December 2, 2007, we are officially resigning as your pastors with the full intent to provide transitional leadership for the next 90 days. Our last Sunday will be February 24, 2008. During this transitional time we will be working with Steve Bradshaw and the leadership of the Michigan District of the Assemblies of God since our church comes under the umbrella of the Assemblies of God fellowship.
After this time of transition Vanessa and I will be moving to Kansas City, Missouri to start a new church in my hometown. We are stepping out in faith believing God to do a similar work like He’s done here in Pontiac. It’s our desire to continue to see souls come to Christ and church planting is the best way to see that mission accomplished. God has asked us to pioneer another church and we’ve said yes to His call.
Please hear these words from the bottom of our hearts. Though our relationship as your pastors will change, our love for all of you will not. That’s why this is so difficult. We’ve become family over the past few years and now we’re moving away. As hard as it is to say goodbye the fact is we’re still family. As a matter of fact, maybe goodbye is the wrong word. The phrase “see you later” seems more appropriate.
One day we’ll all be together again, but this time it will be forever. We’ll spend eternity together in the presence of the Lord. What a glorious day that will be. In the meantime, let me share verse 25 of the Psalm that I opened with: “I was young and now I’m old, but I’ve never seen the righteous forsaken or the children begging for bread.” That’s a promise that we can all hang on to during this time.
God directs our steps and promises not to leave us nor forsake us. I’m confident that if God is leading us on to something new and wonderful then the same is true for all of you. God will not take from one at the expense of another. If God is preparing to bless Vanessa and I with a new work then He’s preparing to bless all of you with a new pastor. We really believe that your best days are yet ahead, and though we will not always be your pastors we will always be family.
Respectfully submitted with love for all you,
Bobby and Vanessa Hawk
The BIG Announcement
I haven't blogged the last couple of months because Vanessa and I have been seeking the Lord regarding a transition in our ministry. I've been completely focused on hearing from God and needed a break from the blogosphere. Today we made the BIG announcement to our church family at PFWC. Vanessa and I will be leaving Pontiac to start a church in Kansas City, Missouri.
We will continue to serve and help facilitate transition at PFWC for the next 90 days through the end of February. Then we will be moving to KC at the beginning of March. Our goal is to start building a core team and prepare to launch the new church in April 2009. I will share more updates through this blog as we continue on this faith journey.
In the meantime, we covet your prayers and appreciate your support. I will start posting again this month and I look forward to your comments. In addition, I've already been asked to post our letter of resignation for some who were not in attendance today. Please see the next post. The complete message from today will be on our website and podcast this week. God bless!
We will continue to serve and help facilitate transition at PFWC for the next 90 days through the end of February. Then we will be moving to KC at the beginning of March. Our goal is to start building a core team and prepare to launch the new church in April 2009. I will share more updates through this blog as we continue on this faith journey.
In the meantime, we covet your prayers and appreciate your support. I will start posting again this month and I look forward to your comments. In addition, I've already been asked to post our letter of resignation for some who were not in attendance today. Please see the next post. The complete message from today will be on our website and podcast this week. God bless!
Saturday, October 6, 2007
The Crowd is Usually WRONG
In Mark 5 Jesus delivers a demon possessed man and then heals a woman from a twelve year ailment. Between these two miraculous events a man named Jairus asked Jesus to come and heal his daughter. By the time Jesus starts towards Jairus' house a few men came to share the bad news with Jairus. Here's the exact verbiage from Mark 5:35:
While Jesus was still speaking, some men came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. "Your daughter is dead," they said. "Why bother the teacher any more?"
The crowd's advice to Jairus was forget about it. It's too late. Nothing can be done now. It's impossible. She's dead! They might have believed that Jesus could heal her from her sickness, but there's no way he could raise her from the dead. The crowd was WRONG!
All throughout the Bible instances like this occur. Remember the children of Israel when Moses was up on the mountain receiving God's commands. They decided to create a golden calf to worship and Aaron went along with the crowd's plan. The crowd was WRONG!
Then twelve spies entered Canaan to scope out their future home. Only two of them came back with a faith report. The majority of the spies came back with a negative report and the people were filled with doubt. The crowd was WRONG!
The list goes on and on as you read both the Old and New Testaments. But back to the next verse in Mark 5. Jesus responds to Jairus and his words are contrary to the words of the crowd. Here's the response Jesus gives in verse 36.
Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, "Don't be afraid; just believe."
Jesus ignored the crowd. The crowd was WRONG and Jesus was RIGHT! When Jesus arrived at Jairus home he again confronted the crowd. Jesus said the girl was not dead, but asleep. In other words, she was getting ready to get up. The crowd laughed as if it was impossible to bring her back from the dead. Again the crowd was WRONG!
Jesus kicked out the crowd and brought the girl back to life. Jesus was RIGHT! The crowd is usually WRONG, but Jesus is always RIGHT! Look back at verse 36 for a moment. Jesus said, "Don't be afraid; just believe."
When life doesn't make sense and your problems seem overwhelming...
When your faced with impossible circumstances and it seems like all hope is lost...
When everyone else has already given up and you feel like your only option is giving in...
Don't listen to the crowd! Listen to the words of Jesus! He's always RIGHT!!!
While Jesus was still speaking, some men came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. "Your daughter is dead," they said. "Why bother the teacher any more?"
The crowd's advice to Jairus was forget about it. It's too late. Nothing can be done now. It's impossible. She's dead! They might have believed that Jesus could heal her from her sickness, but there's no way he could raise her from the dead. The crowd was WRONG!
All throughout the Bible instances like this occur. Remember the children of Israel when Moses was up on the mountain receiving God's commands. They decided to create a golden calf to worship and Aaron went along with the crowd's plan. The crowd was WRONG!
Then twelve spies entered Canaan to scope out their future home. Only two of them came back with a faith report. The majority of the spies came back with a negative report and the people were filled with doubt. The crowd was WRONG!
The list goes on and on as you read both the Old and New Testaments. But back to the next verse in Mark 5. Jesus responds to Jairus and his words are contrary to the words of the crowd. Here's the response Jesus gives in verse 36.
Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, "Don't be afraid; just believe."
Jesus ignored the crowd. The crowd was WRONG and Jesus was RIGHT! When Jesus arrived at Jairus home he again confronted the crowd. Jesus said the girl was not dead, but asleep. In other words, she was getting ready to get up. The crowd laughed as if it was impossible to bring her back from the dead. Again the crowd was WRONG!
Jesus kicked out the crowd and brought the girl back to life. Jesus was RIGHT! The crowd is usually WRONG, but Jesus is always RIGHT! Look back at verse 36 for a moment. Jesus said, "Don't be afraid; just believe."
When life doesn't make sense and your problems seem overwhelming...
When your faced with impossible circumstances and it seems like all hope is lost...
When everyone else has already given up and you feel like your only option is giving in...
Don't listen to the crowd! Listen to the words of Jesus! He's always RIGHT!!!
Friday, September 14, 2007
Strongholds or Tents
In Numbers 13 Moses sent out twelve spies and gave them specific instructions including this paraphrase, "...see whether they dwell in tents or strongholds." That specific phrase sparked a thought in my mind regarding ministry that has consumed me for the last couple of days. I've asked myself this question and now let me ask you: Do you dwell in a tent or a stronghold?
What's the difference in dwelling in a tent versus a stronghold?
1. Tents are portable; strongholds are permanent.
2. Tents are easier to put up; strongholds take much more time to build.
3. Tents provide partial shelter; strongholds provide complete safety.
4. Tents can be easily destroyed; strongholds are created to endure.
I think one of the biggest problems I see with many ministers is they have become tent dwellers. Tent dwellers don't stay in a place long enough to see long-term results. As my friend Herbert Cooper says, "We over-estimate what we can do in the short-term and under-estimate what God can do in the long-term."
Here's an example. The reason that the enemy has such strongholds in my city is because he's never left. Satan has built strongholds in Pontiac and continued to wreak havoc for years on end while many of our churches and ministers have come and gone with the wind. They've pitched their tents and moved on while the enemy has built strongholds of fornication, alcoholism, drug addiction, violence, etc.
If we want to bind up the strongman and see lasting results we have to commit to build strongholds for God in our cities. We must dig deep roots and commit ourselves for the long haul. Anyone can put up a tent, but strongholds take time and perseverance. It's much easier, and cheaper, to pitch a tent rather than building a stronghold day by day and brick by brick.
You see tents provide temporary shelter from the elements but do not serve as a place of complete safety. Our churches and ministries should provide more than temporary shelter. They should be fortresses where the lost and hurting can run and find peace. If you're on the run and you see a tent on one side and a stronghold on the other which will you choose for safety and security? A stronghold. Exactly! Then why should we expect hurting people to run and dwell in our tents?
Finally, strongholds are made to withstand and endure battles. Ministry is full of battles. The enemy engages us from every side. When you have a tent the only option is to run. When you have a stronghold you can stay and fight. I'm tired of the enemy having the strongholds in our cities. It's time to plant ourselves, build our strongholds and fight for our cities.
Will you join me in building strongholds for the kingdom of God?
What's the difference in dwelling in a tent versus a stronghold?
1. Tents are portable; strongholds are permanent.
2. Tents are easier to put up; strongholds take much more time to build.
3. Tents provide partial shelter; strongholds provide complete safety.
4. Tents can be easily destroyed; strongholds are created to endure.
I think one of the biggest problems I see with many ministers is they have become tent dwellers. Tent dwellers don't stay in a place long enough to see long-term results. As my friend Herbert Cooper says, "We over-estimate what we can do in the short-term and under-estimate what God can do in the long-term."
Here's an example. The reason that the enemy has such strongholds in my city is because he's never left. Satan has built strongholds in Pontiac and continued to wreak havoc for years on end while many of our churches and ministers have come and gone with the wind. They've pitched their tents and moved on while the enemy has built strongholds of fornication, alcoholism, drug addiction, violence, etc.
If we want to bind up the strongman and see lasting results we have to commit to build strongholds for God in our cities. We must dig deep roots and commit ourselves for the long haul. Anyone can put up a tent, but strongholds take time and perseverance. It's much easier, and cheaper, to pitch a tent rather than building a stronghold day by day and brick by brick.
You see tents provide temporary shelter from the elements but do not serve as a place of complete safety. Our churches and ministries should provide more than temporary shelter. They should be fortresses where the lost and hurting can run and find peace. If you're on the run and you see a tent on one side and a stronghold on the other which will you choose for safety and security? A stronghold. Exactly! Then why should we expect hurting people to run and dwell in our tents?
Finally, strongholds are made to withstand and endure battles. Ministry is full of battles. The enemy engages us from every side. When you have a tent the only option is to run. When you have a stronghold you can stay and fight. I'm tired of the enemy having the strongholds in our cities. It's time to plant ourselves, build our strongholds and fight for our cities.
Will you join me in building strongholds for the kingdom of God?
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Peace vs. Panic
Matthew and Luke record the same story found in Mark 4. Jesus tells the disciples to get into the boat and then a storm comes that strikes panic in the hearts of the disciples. You probably remember what happened next. They woke Jesus up from his nap and he said to the wind and the waves, "Peace! Be Still!" They obeyed!
It's interesting to contrast the different reactions in this story. The disciples are filled with panic; the Lord is filled with peace. After all, they had to wake him up from a peaceful power nap in their panic stricken state of mind. Then Jesus speaks peace to their situation which is what most people tend to focus on in this story.
Of course, that makes sense. Jesus can calm the storms in our lives whether they are financial, relational, emotional or situational. Jesus brings peace to our storm. But I think there's another point that we sometimes miss. Not only can Jesus bring peace to our storm, but he can also bring peace to us during our storm.
Let's not forget that Jesus sent them into the storm. He told them to get in the boat and head to the other side. He led them into a storm. Sometimes we get ourselves in a mess, but this time Jesus directed them into a tough situation. I think he still does that with our lives. He allows us, even directs us, into a variety of storms. The question is why?
I think the answer is two-fold. First of all, it brings glory to his name when he speaks peace to the storm. When Jesus provides a way out there is no doubt that he can still calm the winds and waves in our lives. But I believe he also speaks peace during the storm. If he directs us into a storm then he'll give us the peace to weather it.
Everything God allows has purpose. If God allows you to enter a storm then He has a lesson for you to learn. So the next time you're in one of life's storms ask God to speak peace to you before you ask Him to speak peace to the storm. After all, He may have directed you into the storm for a reason.
Will the storm ever cease? Yes, in God's time He will calm the storm. In the meantime, He can calm your spirit and give you His peace which transcends all human understanding. So what will it be? Peace or panic?
It's interesting to contrast the different reactions in this story. The disciples are filled with panic; the Lord is filled with peace. After all, they had to wake him up from a peaceful power nap in their panic stricken state of mind. Then Jesus speaks peace to their situation which is what most people tend to focus on in this story.
Of course, that makes sense. Jesus can calm the storms in our lives whether they are financial, relational, emotional or situational. Jesus brings peace to our storm. But I think there's another point that we sometimes miss. Not only can Jesus bring peace to our storm, but he can also bring peace to us during our storm.
Let's not forget that Jesus sent them into the storm. He told them to get in the boat and head to the other side. He led them into a storm. Sometimes we get ourselves in a mess, but this time Jesus directed them into a tough situation. I think he still does that with our lives. He allows us, even directs us, into a variety of storms. The question is why?
I think the answer is two-fold. First of all, it brings glory to his name when he speaks peace to the storm. When Jesus provides a way out there is no doubt that he can still calm the winds and waves in our lives. But I believe he also speaks peace during the storm. If he directs us into a storm then he'll give us the peace to weather it.
Everything God allows has purpose. If God allows you to enter a storm then He has a lesson for you to learn. So the next time you're in one of life's storms ask God to speak peace to you before you ask Him to speak peace to the storm. After all, He may have directed you into the storm for a reason.
Will the storm ever cease? Yes, in God's time He will calm the storm. In the meantime, He can calm your spirit and give you His peace which transcends all human understanding. So what will it be? Peace or panic?
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
The Battle Belongs to the Lord - part 3
The Battle Belongs to the Lord - cont.
Let me wrap up some thoughts from last week. Here's the quick recap. The first principle to winning life's battles is to acknowledge God as your Commander in Chief. To lose life's battles you simply need to acknowledge that you are the Commander in Chief. The next principle in winning life's battles is to shout to the Lord in victory. However, to lose life's battles you simply shout at the Lord in defeat.
The final principle is to experience victory through obedience. The obvious alternative is to experience defeat through disobedience. If you remember the story in Joshua 6 Israel was outnumbered and Jericho was well fortified. On paper Israel didn't have a chance. But God gave them instructions and obedience led to them to victory. And it still does!
There is no substitute for obedience. Skills, talents and even charisma will never serve as an alternative to obedience. God means what he says! Partial obedience is disobedience. Delayed obedience is disobedience. Israel experienced victory at Jericho because they completely obeyed. However, turn to the next chapter and the consequence of their disobedience was defeat. And it still is!
To sum it up Achan takes some of the devoted things and God allows Israel to lose an easy battle at Ai. On paper the Israelites had an easy victory. But disobedience always leads to defeat. Obedience is the only option to pleasing the Lord, and the result of obeying God is winning victories in the battles of life. Obedience or disobedience? Victory or defeat? Blessings or curses? Winning or losing?
I think I'll obey!
Let me wrap up some thoughts from last week. Here's the quick recap. The first principle to winning life's battles is to acknowledge God as your Commander in Chief. To lose life's battles you simply need to acknowledge that you are the Commander in Chief. The next principle in winning life's battles is to shout to the Lord in victory. However, to lose life's battles you simply shout at the Lord in defeat.
The final principle is to experience victory through obedience. The obvious alternative is to experience defeat through disobedience. If you remember the story in Joshua 6 Israel was outnumbered and Jericho was well fortified. On paper Israel didn't have a chance. But God gave them instructions and obedience led to them to victory. And it still does!
There is no substitute for obedience. Skills, talents and even charisma will never serve as an alternative to obedience. God means what he says! Partial obedience is disobedience. Delayed obedience is disobedience. Israel experienced victory at Jericho because they completely obeyed. However, turn to the next chapter and the consequence of their disobedience was defeat. And it still is!
To sum it up Achan takes some of the devoted things and God allows Israel to lose an easy battle at Ai. On paper the Israelites had an easy victory. But disobedience always leads to defeat. Obedience is the only option to pleasing the Lord, and the result of obeying God is winning victories in the battles of life. Obedience or disobedience? Victory or defeat? Blessings or curses? Winning or losing?
I think I'll obey!
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