This weekend, we had Pastor Robert Morris as a guest speaker at New Life. Pastor Robert is the Senior Pastor at Gateway Church in DFW and is one of the overseers of New Life, plus one of my closest friends. Pastor Robert spoke at both Sunday morning gatherings and did a great job. Meanwhile, I was at Gateway as his guest, speaking twice on Saturday and once Sunday.
I don’t just let anyone speak at New Life when I’m gone. Most often, the speaker is a part of our pastoral team, but like this past Sunday, we do sometimes have guests from around the country who come to speak. Before they are invited, I make sure they meet certain criteria.
1. They must really care about the people of New Life and genuinely want to pastor them while in the pulpit.
2. They must have some relationship with me or have a substantial relationship with someone I really trust.
3. They must have similar theology, but not necessarily identical theology. I think it’s great to have speakers who come from different backgrounds so long as they are not out of bounds on the essentials of our faith.
4. They have to be there to minister to the people and not sell something to the people. I am ok with books and products being available for purchase but the guest speaker will not be allowed to make a big sales pitch.
5. They are typically pastors who are leading their own fellowships because true shepherds usually have a high regard for the local church. I do have people speak who are not pastors, but not often.
I am grateful to have so many gifted speakers and pastors available to communicate the scriptures when I’m gone. I want New Lifers to trust that no matter who speaks on Sunday, truth will be declared and people will receive pastoral care.
November 8, 2010 at 8:14 am
Pastor Brady,
We attended the Southlake campus this weekend and heard your speak about the Law of the Farm and left overwhelmed.
1. We don’t believe either of us have ever heard a sermon on that passage that wasn’t strictly from an evangelism perspective.
2. We don’t believe that either of us have ever heard the phrase “the seed is the Word of God”. Nor do we believe either of us have ever heard emphasis on the “riches, worries and pleasures” in relation to the the thorns. We’re not sure why, maybe we were young and stupid, but your emphasis blew us away.
3. WHOA!
The Law of the Farm has encouraged a husband who is working to bring integrity and honor into his office, even though he is surrounded by men who don’t seem to care.
The Law of the Farm has sparked a fire that burns for the salvation of our neighbors and our son’s coaches family (btw…the coach’s wife told us that she was “lost”-when it comes to looking for a church- but the Lord told us she meant it as it was spoken…”LOST”)
The Law of the Farm has given fuel to the prayers we pray for our children and the focus we give to our marriage.
Praying blessings on you and your family and New Life.
Working on the farm,
Tim and Shawna
November 8, 2010 at 8:37 am
I attend/listen to your services and sermons online as i work weekends. You and all your speakers are the bomb because you speak without too much theology and over educated mumbo jumbo. I am very intelligent and can keep up with those types but the heart always seem to be missing and my God ears are in my heart.. Bless you all for speaking to my God heart..
November 30, 2010 at 2:18 am
Just go off of facebook with our son’s birthmother! She is doing really good. She really is a sweetheart. We plan on talking over the phone tomorrow.