Yesterday, I preached my final sermon as the lead pastor of Boones Creek Bible Church. I’ve served in this role for the past 23 years, more than half of my 40 year tenure as a lead pastor.
What led me to this day?
1. “I would rather step aside too early than too late.”
Having watched too many pastors struggle with saying, “It’s time,” and watching those churches decline, I never wanted to be in that position. I believe the Lord will let you know when the time comes to move on. I never wanted to be the one holding back the work of God in His local church.
I admire and respect men that can stay 30-50 years, and my statement is not a negative toward them. One of the bigger issues comes with the temptation that the church will not survive without me or the question of where to go next. You can trust God with your life.
2. A discipleship culture potentially produces the church’s next pastor.
How wonderful to see the fulfillment of the Matthew 28:19-20 mandate throughout a local church. One of the goals is see the Lord raise up the church’s next pastor as that man has been taught, trained and given many opportunities to serve in his current local church. Training of men for the ministry is first of all the responsibility of the local church. Why should a church have to agonize for months to years over finding a pastor when they can see that man raised up within their own congregation?
Next Sunday, January 7, Andrew Isbell will become the lead pastor of BCBC. He has served here for ten years. In those years of service, he has been given many opportunities to grow in ministry through serving, preaching, teaching and discipleship from others.
As Pastor Andrew shepherds the flock of God, we will continue to have our eyes, as we have been, on three young men who appear to have leadership ability at a young age. They are learning, being discipled by their parents and SS teachers, and being given opportunities to serve. Perhaps one of them will be the next pastor of BCBC in 20 years or so. Also, we currently have two men who could become assistant pastors in the next 2-5 years.
A strong discipleship culture breeds this kind of life.
3. The Lord has definitely led us to this time in our lives.
Through a burning passion placed in our hearts over time, direction through the Word (Psalm 37:4-5, 23), and multiple confirmations along the way in the past twelve months, we give God all the glory for His leading, faithfulness and grace!
Furthermore, how marvelous to have a wife who believes this to be the will of God and shares in the burden as well.
Add to that a congregation of believers whom we love dearly that has supported us and continues to do so. They are true blue, loyal to Christ and His church. So glad we are not leaving BCBC, just changing roles. I’m excited to continue serving at BCBC as an associate pastor under Pastor Andrew’s wise, biblical leadership.
May I also add a note of appreciation to all who I’ve had the privilege of pastoring over the years in Tennessee and Indiana! I am one blessed man, so undeserving!
Have I retired? NO! We are just changing roles with a desire to build up the body of Christ and to encourage pastors and wives. We are running for the Bema by the grace of God!!
fromapastorsheart.com 
Excellent! You are spot on across the board. It thrills my heart not just to know that Andrew is God’s choice but that he is God’s choice because of careful mentoring, personal service and corporate prayer. It also thrills my soul to hear of the potential within the church for future ministry workers. The local church is THE primary training ground for learning, active involvement and earned leadership responsibility. Serving Christ as an undershepherd is the greatest of life’s blessings and for those who are called to it, no other calling will do. Great job, Dale! Not because you have done something new but because you have faithfully followed the Word of God and no man fails when he does this!
Carl, your comment is a huge blessing and encouragement to my heart! It must also be said that you were a part of this during your time here at BCBC. Your influence, teaching, and conversations with Andrew and myself were edifying and helpful in the process as well as in the continual growth of the body of Christ. Obviously, local church ministry is all of God’s grace by the power of the Holy Spirit as Christ is exalted! Nevertheless, He used you and Dawn for His glory! Even in your present situation, you have a most vital part in the ministry here through the preeminent ministry of prayer!!
Dale, you are kind and generous with your comments. We have only ever tried to bloom where we were planted/transplanted. Local church ministry is a blessing across the board and getting involved is just second nature to us like it is with you and Denise. We felt like we were the ones receiving the blessing, between the prayer times in the morning service, the music, the great preaching and the fellowship of the saints, it was all good to us. I DO have many fond memories of our SS class discussions in the sanctuary, so much theology was discussed even if it was not presented as a theology class, or maybe particularly because it was not presented as a theology class, LoL. The Lord has drawn a wide variety of intelligent spiritual folk to BCBC and we had a marvelous time. I remember once time Brian Carter asking me to serve communion in his place so he could explain what was happening to their youngest son. Afterward he told me that as a result of that his son’s awareness of the reality of communion opened up another step in his spiritual life and that still brings tears to my eyes after all these years. And even our first Sunday with you folks, how welcomed we felt and how enormously relieving it was for me to just sit and soak in the Word without having to worry about any of the things pastors think about on Sunday morning. You ministered to us in such profound and sublime ways just by being our pastor and I am still thanking God for you.
It’s not hard to follow a husband who submits to Christ as you have. I’m excited for what God has in store in the days ahead!
We have been on this journey together for 42 years, and I’m looking forward to us joining God in His work in the days to come!