Ordination for Tyler Smith

This past Sunday, May 29, I had the privilege of being apart of the Ordination Service for Tyler Smith at First Baptist Church, Anderson, AL. In the picture (l-r) is Pastor J.D. Harrison, First Baptist Church, Anderson; Tyler and myself.

I had the privilege of giving the charge to the candidate. Here are some bullets of the sermon:

* Used Matthew 12:15-21 believing Jesus is the model pastor.

* Jesus was divinely chosen; so is each person to salvation and each pastor for service. John 15:16. The call will be the only thing that will keep pastors in the ministry.
* Jesus had divine consent of the Father's good pleasure; so should each pastor treasure above all else the pleasure of the Father. A pastor can't please everybody, so he should seek to please only one - the Father.
* Jesus had divine control of the Spirit; each pastor can have the fullness of the Spirit in order to walk and be controlled by the Spirit. A Spirit-filled life will lead you to a right relationship personally with God, with your family and to fulfill your most important ministry to the church - to "Preach the Word." (II Timothy 4:2). As Dr. Stephen Olford use to say, "God had only one son and He made Him a preacher." Luke 4:18
* Jesus had divine compassion for the weak and hurting; each pastor should be compassionate toward the weak, the sick, the sinful. II Timothy 2:24
* Jesus had the promise of divine conquest; each pastor is promised a crown of glory. I Peter 5:4. The pastor's ministry can only be judged for success after this life is over; all other judgements are premature.

Tyler has been called to serve as Associate Pastor at Ryker's Ridge Baptist Church, Madison, Indiana. Tyler graduated in December, 2010 with his Master of Divinity degree from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and is currently working on his PhD in Systematic Theology. Our prayers are with him and as Bro. J.D. said in his message Sunday night, "we commend him to the Lord." (Acts 14:23)