Greetings my Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
It has been about a month since I was commissioned as the teaching pastor of Northwoods Church. It is an honor that still has not really sunk in yet, however, Pastor Tony is helping me with that by showing just how much more I will be preaching and teaching. This is great because now I'm going to our Heavenly Father even more for help, so He is glorified! (And so I don't mess up) However, I am not writing this to share with you my newly given writing schedule. No. Since I have been given the title of pastor, several brothers and sisters have asked what they are supposed to call me and have apologized for not calling me pastor. Brothers and sisters, I can assure you, I take no offense to being called Dakota or brother Dakota instead. In fact, this situation has led me to prayer and meditation and, glory be to God, I was led to just the right instance in Scripture.
Matthew 23:1-12 NIV - “Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So, you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them. “Everything they do is done for people to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long; they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by others. “But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah. The greatest among you will be your servant. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Brothers and sisters, it is an honor to be called pastor, but at the end of the day I am still a servant of the most high God as are you. Believe it or not, when I am referred to as pastor, it is a stark reminder of the greater responsibility I am now held to. I'm sure you all know how my mind works with scripture and every time I hear Pastor Dakota, a whirlwind of verses floods through my mind. I shared one above, but allow me to share a few more: Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.
James 3:1 NIV - Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap. In the same way, deacons are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons. In the same way, the women are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything. A deacon must be faithful to his wife and must manage his children and his household well. Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.
1 Timothy 3:1-13 NIV - An elder must be blameless, faithful to his wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.
Titus 1:6-9 NIV - So, in closing, my brothers and sisters, call me Dakota, Brother Dakota, Pastor Dakota, it makes no difference. Just know that the title of pastor means a lot to me and it humbles me and reminds me all the more of how seriously I must take my walk with Christ and because of the position HE has allowed me to be in, my steps are being watched by all who see me.
Pray for me that the Holy Spirit would lead me, guide me and protect me, that HE would help me stay humble and walk in a manner worthy of my calling. Thank you all for your prayers, your love and your support. Thank you all for this opportunity to serve you.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you always.
Blessings
Pastor Dakota Swinton