Our call to serve at Providence First Church of the Nazarene

Communication (summary) about our call to serve at Providence First Church of the Nazarene
Sunday, July 8, 2007

In 1 Corinthians12:17-18 we read, “If the body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be?... But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.”
The Body of Christ works better when we discover our task in this body and we do our best for the unity of the body.
For about 20 years, after earning a BA in theology from Eastern Nazarene College, I had been ministering at the Emaus Church of the Nazarene in various categories, including as a minister of praise and worship. God uses us as we make ourselves available.
To live in the will of God is to live according to His Word. It is to live aware of the fact that the Lord of the harvest is the one who calls, the one who sends laborers, and determines the tasks and length of time to carry out such tasks.
Change is inevitable. Some changes are uncomfortable or difficult to accept even when they are necessary. Change is a fact of life. Whenever there is change there will be adjustments, readjustments, and a price to be paid.
An athlete said, “You pay a price for getting stronger. You pay a price for getting faster. You pay a price for jumping higher. You pay a price for staying just the same.” (H. Jackson Brown)
To stay in the same place avoiding changes is much easier and less stressful.
Since 1980 the Emaus Church had been my only church. Twenty three years later we faced the merger with the Brockton Betel Church of the Nazarene. That was a change - A major change. Even though it was marvelous change it was not easy. Traditions and situations were taken in consideration. Plans were made, accomplished, and others were put aside.
A price was paid in order not to stay the same.
I have sought to serve God with gladness and in obedience fulfilling the task assigned to me with the gifts and abilities He has granted me and leaving the future in His hands. My testimony has been: “Take my life and let it be consecrate, Lord, to Thee.” “Gladly will I bow down as Your servant and I long to do your will. Here I am, till my calling is fulfilled. Here I am.”
Dr. Daniel Boone, a Nazarene pastor and the president of Travecca Nazarene University wrote, “Saying yes to God isn’t a one-time thing; it’s a daily decision to get up and follow Him.”
Someone said, “Ignoring a calling can lead to depression, anger, frustration, and a deep dissatisfaction with life. And I have learned that following a calling can also lead to moments of depression, anger, frustration, and loneliness. Yet, underneath those feelings will be a profound sense of peace and satisfaction.”
In the beginning of June, our superintendent, Dr. Josie Owens, called me with another opportunity. She then gave me some time to think and pray about it. Three weeks later, after seeking divine guidance, a meeting with the board conducting the pastoral search was scheduled. Only then a decision would be made.
The final decision was made after much prayer, meditation, and divine and human guidance. In Amos 3:7 we read, “Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets.” Through the Word of God, the testimony of others, and occurrences in our lives, but specially, through His Spirit who witnesses to our spirit, God made things clearer bringing a sense of assurance and peace.
This is an emotional moment when, after serving God for more two decades in this congregation, in this church that has been my life for 27 years, God willed to call us to serve in another location and assignment. In September I will be starting as senior pastor of Providence First Church of the Nazarene.
It is not always easy to obey. Many times our will prevails. The Apostle Peter said, “We must obey God rather than men!” (Ac.5:29) And many times the “men” is our own self.
Changes and transference are never easy to follow through. This kind of change is made with a spirit of obedience saying, “Yes, Lord, yes to your will and to your way. When your Spirit speaks to me with my whole heart I’ll agree. And my answer will be yes, Lord, yes.”
The Alianca choir has sung and we believe that “His grace is sufficient”. The choir has challenged singing, “God will make a way.” We have been exhorted when we sing, “Your anxiety and fear take to the Lord in prayer.” And we have all sung, “My service, my problems, my future I offer to You.” Whether singing or speaking, we have to live what we preach. It is based on this faith, “being sure of what e hope for and certain of what we do not see,” that we go on.
It has been an incredible blessing to be the pastor of praise and worship. It has been a privilege directing the choir Alianca despite its difficulties and limitations has ministered to the church but mainly to me. The brothers and sisters members of the choir has always shown willingness to do anything in order to praise and exalt our God. After all our audience has been an audience of one – God, the author and goal of our worship. The fellowship with many choir members during these 20 years will never be substituted.
Indeed, it has been a joy and privilege serving this congregation. We will be leaving this congregation but not our fellowship. As members of this “body”, we will be relocated to another part of the Body of Christ. From the other side of the body, we will be strengthened by your sincere love, dedicated friendship, and continued support.
It had been a privilege working alongside pastors Antonio and Daniel Leite at the Emaus Church, and more recently, with pastors Joao Monteiro, Natanael Duarte e Carlos Tavares. Presently, at the Nova Alianca Church, it has been a blessing serving alongside pastors Benedito Monteiro, Natanael, e Carlos.
We are grateful to God for a church that has learned to demonstrate a true Christian love. A church that has embraced us and showed tolerance toward our weaknesses. A church that has learned to obey the voice of the Holy Spirit, the One that speaks to the churches. We appreciate your prayers.
May God continue making adjustments in our lives in order that the world may know about the unity in a healthy Body.

Yours, in Christ, Pastor Silas Almeida