Jesus spoke a key concept when He spoke about abiding in Him. Notice how many times the following scripture mentions the word abide:

“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. (John 15:4-11 NKJV)

Allen Temple Baptist Church is thankful for the grace of God which continues to abide in our church community as we enter yet another phase of transition. The prospective pastor application process has concluded. And the real work of the Pulpit Search Committee team will begin in earnest. We are also actively involved in planning the retirement celebration of our Senior Pastor, J. Alfred Smith, Jr, as he embraces the next phase in life that God has in store for he, his wife, Elaine, and their family.

As a church family, we are called to exercise our abiding faith, self-discipline, and allow His Word to fill our minds, direct our wills, and transform our affections. In other words, God seeks to move in our congregational life. As we, Allen Temple Baptist Church, pray as a congregation, for God’s guidance in our pastoral transition process, He is also speaking to individuals who are prayerfully seeking to know and respond to God’s call for our congregation.

The Pulpit Search Committee is now actively working to be an instrument whereby God’s call to a particular servant-leader is paired with the needs of the Allen Temple congregation to create a new partnership in ministry. Let’s remain in prayer, abide in prayer, and pray without ceasing that His will be done for building up this body of Christ.

Peace and Blessings,
Deacon Ted Carter
Chairperson, Deacons Ministry