Interim Surprises

I was overcome with shock, grief, and uncertainty as I listened to our pastor of 17 years announce that he had accepted a call to another church. As I stole the occasional glance around the sanctuary, it looked as though the rest of the congregation had a similar reaction. After the service, although the tears flowed freely, nobody seemed quite sure what to do or say.

Although the district superintendent (D.S.) helped answer a few basic questions regarding Nazarene polity in the case of pastoral transitions, most people remained anxious and uncertain about the upcoming search.

In the meantime, the D.S. assigned an interim pastor to our church. At first, no one really expected much from the middle-aged Olivet Nazarene University theology professor with the southern accent. But in the weeks since then, we've fallen in love with him, and surprisingly to many of us, with his preaching as well.

Ron Dalton's laid-back, easygoing style, simple messages, and lighthearted humor have helped to calm our nerves and encourage our hearts.

One particular Sunday, he was speaking to us about the importance of not "selling out" to our own individual desires, especially at such a time of great spiritual consequence for the church. To illustrate his point, he told us that his favorite song as a young man was the classic Tennessee Ernie Ford ballad "I Sold My Soul to the Company Store." He continued, "As much as I loved old Tennessee Ernie, please don't follow his example."

Every time he gets up to speak, Ron Dalton always asks us the same question: "Did you bring your swords with you?" Not only that, but he has us stand whenever he reads from "the sword." Both of these ideas were new to me, and to many others as well. While neither idea is revolutionary or groundbreaking, Dalton's asking that question every Sunday has made me more aware of the importance of carrying God's word with me wherever I go, because I know that Satan will always bring his weapons with him. Likewise, standing for the reading of Scripture has given me newfound respect and reverence for God's word.

I certainly didn't expect to learn such lessons in a period of pastoral transition, but God often works when we are expecting it least. We are barely three months into the search for a new pastor, but this whole interim thing is kind of fun. I wouldn't mind if it hung around a while longer.

Abram Book works as an editorial resident for Leadership, a sister publication of Christianity Today magazine. He attends Trinity Nazarene Church in Naperville, Illinois.

Please note: All facts, figures, and titles were accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of original publication but may have since changed.