Over the past year I have received a few very attractive invitations to apply for Lead Pastor positions of some large and established churches. It has been very easy to pass on these without much thought because I absolutely love The Journey North people and the God sized vision we have.

Two weeks ago I got rocked a little when one of the leaders of the Minnesota Baptist Conference’s search committee called and asked if I would be willing to apply for the position of Executive Minister.

 


Dr. Truett Lawson has held this position for many years and is getting ready to retire. He has cast the vision that has caused the MBC to be the fastest growing evangelical movement in Minnesota.

While I love the local church and ours in particular, I also have a huge passion for leading leaders and investing into the lives of church planters. And so I have spent more time with God and in prayer about how to best exercise my gifts and where I best fit.

To that end, my son Caleb and I have just spent the past few days in a cabin up on the North Shore on a prayer retreat.

Together, we have come to the conclusion that God was leading us to say no to the offer to apply for that role.

I am more convinced than ever that God has me here for a long time. The goals that I have and the vision I have for this church are huge. I believe that God will use us in some amazing ways

See my letter to the search team:

June 29, 2007

Dear Ron and the Search Team,

I want you to know that while I was surprised, I was also both honored and excited by your invitation to enter into a process for consideration of the position of Executive Minister of the Minnesota Baptist Conference (MBC). After serious prayer and introspection I feel as if I have to decline.

The invitation did serve to reveal a few things I would like to share with you. I have learned that I am more deeply convinced of my vision and call to The Journey North Community Church (TJN) and also that I have an intense passion for the MBC and her future. In a very real way the decision to decline your invitation is a reflection of both of these truths held in tandem.

This time of soul searching has really served to help me get crystal clear about the future hopes and dreams I have been given by God for TJN. I expect that these next ten years will be exciting ones as God uses this new faith community to see literally hundreds of people cross the line of faith, hundreds of people trained to share their faith, dozens of leaders trained in ministry and perhaps even a dozen new churches to be called into existence in Northern and Central MN.

I also have come to understand that my attraction to the potential of the position was a real reflection of both significant spiritual gifts of leadership that God has given me and a God given passion for the MBC. And while I don’t doubt either my passion or my leadership gifts, I have significant questions about my readiness for this role.

It was as if the Lord gave me an insight with this word picture: I feel as if I am in flight but the altitude with which this person will fly requires them to be instrument trained. I’m not, and if the person who takes this seat isn’t, this plane will likely crash.

So, my prayer for the MBC has become that you will find someone who is instrument trained. I have also begun asking God, “How do I get the kind of training that would someday enable me to more seriously engage a process like this one (should one ever present itself)?” I look forward to His leading as He prepares me for an even greater future ministry impact and as he gives you insight as to the right candidate.

Thank you so much for the gift I received by being able to process the invitation.
–
Blessings,

Mark Bjorlo
Pastor

1001 Kingwood Street
Brainerd, MN 56401
218.824.5617 (office)
Skype: mbjorlo
Email: mbjorlo@thejourneynorth.com
Blog: www.journeynorthblog.com
www.thejourneynorth.com