Four Reasons Why I Said, "YES!"

By George Antonakos

Where do I begin? How about this: I LOVE YOU ALL! I love you all as a congregation; I love so many of you at an individual level (and look forward to meeting new friends); I love John Schmidt for being such an incredibly strong leader so as to invite this possibility into being; I love the APNC for their openness and thoroughness in seeking to discern the Lord's will with me; I love thinking about the possibilities of developing new chapters of ministry together; I love the church staff that I get to work with again; and I love the fact that I can be "back home" with so many people that have loved me and my family for almost three decades! As you might be able to tell, I am overwhelmed with love and gratitude to our Lord for pouring out his favor upon me for "round number three" at Central, or is it four?

Speaking of four, I think that a number of questions may still be floating around in people's minds about all of this. I know that I will not be able to anticipate or answer every one of those questions, but I hope that the following four reasons for "saying yes" will be a start. Here they are -

#1 - Jesus. As the APNC and I were in communication last year, they posed a very important question to me. It was this: "Why do you believe that your call to interim ministry has changed?" Let me share with you part of my answer to the committee a few months ago.

This question actually deals with the larger issue of discerning God's call in general. The Scriptures are filled with examples of people being confronted with a call from God that is initially questioned for various reasons, (Moses, Jeremiah, Isaiah, etc.). In some cases, people have a desire to do something for God and it is not permitted, (i.e., David's desire to build the temple). There are also examples of people believing that their call is clear and then it takes a new direction. The most lucid illustration is Peter in Acts 10. Since Pentecost he had been preaching and leading and working in response to Jesus' call in Acts 1:8. But in Acts 10 the call expands in a way that comes as quite a surprise and is balked at initially. His whole paradigm of ministry changed in a day. So the call is always about following Jesus in mission even though it takes different forms.

#2 - Family. This is an area that must be carefully thought through in regard to being called by God in ministry. Sometimes we can "hide behind" family as a reason for not doing something for God. Jesus said as much in Matthew 10:37, "He who loves father or mother (son or daughter) more than me is not worthy of me..." Yet there is also the reality of family support as an expression of faithfulness (I Timothy 5:8). This was one reason for a decision to stay "tethered," even in interim ministry. But the reality is that even tethered interim ministry can mean some serious commuting. Although all is well with us, this past nine months has shown both Ellen and me that our current scenario is not what is best for our relationship. Even if my next five interims would happen to be within a shorter commute, it would still be very difficult for Ellen to have a church and ministry "sense of place." And it is such an incredible blessing to be within close proximity to our daughters and their husbands as well. (Having said all of that there was a tempting interim possibility that opened up in Rome, but I didn't think it would be long enough!) So, my second reason for saying yes is that I believe this decision fulfills my responsibility to family needs.

#3 - John Schmidt. If someone asked me, "What type of person(s) would you like to team with in ministry?", the following descriptions would come to mind: deeply committed to Jesus, loving, humble, persevering, knowledgeable and grateful, to name a few. As I mentioned earlier in this article, I see John as a secure and faithful leader who possesses all of the qualities just mentioned and desires that which will advance the glory of God without regard to "position." I am greatly looking forward to a deepening "Joshua and Caleb" type relationship over the years as we share in leadership together with you all. I know the challenges of John's position and role first hand. My first loyalty as your Interim Pastor was to him before I even knew him. Now that I do know him, that loyalty will be first and foremost in my mind and heart as I enter this new role in ministry. I consider myself his "first follower." So, my third reason for saying yes is that I believe in John Schmidt and the strength and commitment of his leadership.

#4 - You. That's how I started this article, wasn't it? As I look back over thirty years of vocational Christian ministry, the years at Central, (especially the time between 2000 - 2003), have been the best of all. I was reminded during my sabbatical at the end of 2002 that even though ministry has many challenges it should be fun, and that if it isn't, something needs to be examined. Being with the saints at Central is fun! Recently I read an article in Net Results magazine in which Lyle Schaller made the seminal point that thriving congregations and their pastors have strong and enduring relationships. There is lots of trust in the mix. I am not exaggerating or trying to "score points" when I say this, but there is no where else I would rather serve than with you. When John and I got together back in November of last year to begin an exploratory conversation about my filling the Associate Pastor's role, he said among other things, "I am looking for someone who will love Central." With tears in my eyes, I was quick to say and without any sense of boasting, "I don't think you're going to find anyone who will love Central more than me." So, my fourth reason for saying yes is that I believe in and love you all.

In the movie, Field of Dreams, a character (Shoeless Joe Jackson) played by Ray Liotta steps out from the "enchanted" cornfield into the outfield of a baseball diamond and asks Kevin Costner's character, "Is this heaven?" Costner says, "No, it's Iowa." I can relate to the wonder of Shoeless Joe's question when I think about reconnecting with you all once again. "Is this heaven?" Even though your answer is, "No, it's Central," I get this questioning look on my face and in my mind I say, "It sure feels like it."

With deep love and gratitude,
George
George Antonakos

See also:

• Seeking: Associate Pastor
• NV: Introducing Our New Associate Pastor!, 4/10/05
• NV: APNC Update, 4/10/05
• NV: From The APNC: Pastor George Antonakos, 5/15/05