Dear Friend,

It is a joy and privilege to serve the Lord as the undershepherd here at Grace, along with my sweet wife Rebecca, and our seven children.  I believe the Bible and the Saviour it speaks of are the answer to all of life's questions.

Let me briefly share with you my

PHILOSOPHY OF MINISTRY from I Cor. 2:1-5.

I.   The Pastor's PURSUIT: "For I determined no to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ..."

Like Paul, I understand that before ministering to others, I myself must be gaining an intimate knowledge of the Lord Jesus through prayer and study of the scriptures.  This pursuit has 2 aspects:

       A. INTELLECTUAL Knowledge : study of the written Word of God and it's doctrinal truth

       B. INTIMATE Knowledge: seeing the truth of God's Word conform my life into the image of Christ

II.  The Pastor's  PREACHING: "my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom..."

Biblical preaching is not psychology or philosophy, it is characterized by 2 things:

       A. It is FOCUSED on the WORD OF GOD:

I believe far too much "preaching" has become shallow entertainment.  Certainly there is a place for illustration and application, but I have been called to preach the Word, not preach about the Word.  I also believe strongly that there is a difference between exposition and expository preaching.  I strive to do the latter.

       B. It is FILLED with the SPIRIT OF GOD:

Holy Spirit filled (controlled) preaching is the only means of evangelizing the sinner and edifying the saint.  Every thing we do is to be done in the power and leading of God the Holy Spirit.  If He is quenched or grieved, the preaching is in vain.  This applies to both the pulpit and the pew.

III. The Pastor's  PURPOSE: "that your faith should..."

As a pastor, God has called me to edify the flock, not entertain them.  I agree with Paul, that a pastor's calling is 2-Fold:

       A. CLARIFY their FAITH: teaching them to rest their faith in God, not man.

Man-centered ministries breed carnality, idolatry, and instability in churches.  Christ is to have the pre-eminence, He is the head.  A pastor does have God-given authority and responsibility in the local church as undershepherd, but he is not to be the resting place of believers.  He is not a pope.  The members should follow Him as he follows Christ.

        B. SOLIDIFY their FAITH: teaching them to be continually growing in the Lord.  

It is my desire and goal to use the Word to bring sinners to salvation and saints to spiritual maturity.  God's plan for the ministry of a pastor is that He might be used to produce successive generations of Christians, who have developed the same convictions and stands as the first century churches.

     If you are looking for a church where people love the Lord, His Word, and each other, let me cordially invite you to visit with us.  May God bless you as you seek His leading for a church home.

His servant and yours,

Pastor Steve Rogers
Isa. 50:7