The Journey Begins!

2015 has been a year of transition for the Peebles family.  We have moved from Washington State in the Pacific Northwest to Florida in the Southeast.   What a joy it is to be a part of the First Presbyterian Church of Orlando family! I am humbled and honored to be stepping into this new call, and the entire Peebles family (my wife, Margaret, and our two kids, Annabelle and David) is looking forward to this next season of our lives.  My specific area of responsibility is discipleship. In light of our transition, it seemed appropriate to begin a blog with a particular emphasis on discipleship.  Thus, this is the very first post of The Journey.

 

One of the questions I have been asked on multiple occasions already is, “What is your vision for discipleship at FPCO?”  That is a great question and one that is easily answered by Scripture.  As Jesus calls his first disciples, Peter and Andrew, He is clear and direct:  "Come, follow me…and I will send you out to fish for people." (Matthew 4:19, NIV).  Thus, Peter and Andrew (and shortly after, James and John) began a pursuit that challenged and convicted, but ultimately empowered and equipped them to participate in God’s mission to the world.  Out of that and simply put, my vision is that every member of the FPCO family would grow in their relationship with God through following Jesus in their everyday living and, within the context of community, invite others to follow as well. I sincerely hope, I might add, that this vision extends beyond any individual church and into the greater Orlando community.

 

I often liken discipleship to a journey.  Every journey has a beginning and an end.  For the disciple of Jesus, that journey begins when one responds to the invitation of Jesus.  It ends (or at least enters a new phase!) when the disciple goes to glory.  Unfortunately, some disciples get lost or simply do not progress in their journey: they stay at the trailhead or starting line and move very little toward growth and maturity.  Thus, the challenge for church leadership is to encourage progress and growth in that journey.

 

I, like many pastors, am a fan of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien.  In the movie version of Tolkien’s The Hobbit, there is a wonderful conversation that unfolds as Bilbo, the protagonist, is trying to determine whether or not to embark on the journey ahead.  He is being counseled by the wise wizard, Gandalf the Grey.

 

Gandalf: "You’ll have a tale or two to tell when you come back."

Bilbo: "You can promise that I’ll come back?”

Gandalf: "No. And if you do, you will not be the same."

I love it! As you consider embarking on or progressing in the journey of discipleship, I can promise two things.  First, it's definitely not an easy excursion and God is going to challenge and convict you, while He empowers and equips you.  Second, you will not be the same.  Growth and transformation should be expected. 

 

In this next season of ministry, I look forward to the journey ahead.  May God grant us all a growing sense of His transforming presence as we seek to follow Him in our daily living!