Pastor Appreciation Month, part 3: Dustin Janney

Dustin Janney is the "Worship and Youth Pastor" at Avalon Church. This means he is in charge of all the music at church and is also responsible for the middle and high school ministry at the church. I heard a rumor a while back that Dustin had been asked to pick just one of these jobs to do, as he was so overworked trying to do both. Apparently whoever asked him that is still waiting for a decision.

Dustin is one of the most unassuming, charming, "aw shucks ma'am" southern gentlemen you could imagine - until he picks up his guitar and starts to sing. Then it's all passion and power. You'd never think that someone as soft-spoken as him could belt like he does until he goes and does it. I've often said that Dustin and Ross Fengfish (our extremely talented piano player) could sell a million albums if they wanted - but then they'd have to go on tour and I wouldn't get to hear them every week. So never mind.

I may not like or agree with all the choices that Dustin makes with the music at church (that's because I'm an old stick in the mud when it comes to contemporary Christian music) but there is no doubt that he believes every word he sings with all his heart. He is a fantastic embodiment of Psalm 57:7-11.

So no matter what the kids in 220 might say about you, Dustin, you're not a dork. You're a valued and appreciated member of my church family.

Also, his wife is hot. I know I'm in trouble for that, and she just might die from embarrassment, but I dare anyone to disagree with me.

Pastor Appreciation Month, part 2: Jim Groves

Pastor Jim is the Executive Pastor at Avalon Church. This means he handles most of the day-to-day administrative duties, staff management, and a bunch of other not so fun stuff that no one else wants to do. He's also the first one off the bench if Pastor Dale can't preach on Sunday for any reason. When he does take over the Sunday service he likes to do things a little differently, to give you a new perspective on things. Or, as he puts it, "I'm going to hit you in the head with a 2x4." So in that spirit, I'm going to let you look over my shoulder as I write a letter to him.

Dear Pastor Jim,

First of all, I want to thank you for all of your behind the scenes work at church. I know that things would not go as smoothly as they do without the hours of preparation you put in each week. I would also like to thank you for not clipping me with the hand truck before we moved into the church building.

The training and guidance you have provided in getting the life groups started has been invaluable. If it hadn't been for your help I would probably still be "wandering in the wilderness" wondering how in the world I'm going to get this thing off the ground. And now it's poised to become a great outreach of the church, as five of the seven people who are interested do not even attend Avalon. We're going to change lives with this, and I can already see a change in mine just from preparing to facilitate the group.

You have a unique gift in your speaking style, in that it never really feels like a sermon when you speak, but I always leave thinking how powerful and personal it was. I'll never forget the message you gave pretending to be Peter, demonstrating the process of Christian maturation. If a hotheaded blowhard like Peter can reach the point that he writes "Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble" (1 Pet. 5:5) then there really is hope for the rest of us.

As an interesting side note, did you know that when I first started attending Avalon, you approached me four weeks in a row to ask if it was my first time at church? Apparently I blend in pretty well.

One final thought, I wanted to point out that the most powerful part of your testimony (to me, anyway) is that when you talk about what you used to be like, when you were hurtful and a not-so-good husband, I have to take your word for it, because I can't for the life of me imagine that you were ever like that. Again, showing there's hope for the rest of us.

So thank you, for everything you've done and continue to do. I thank the Lord that He allowed me to find Avalon and to come to know you.

Sincerely,

Matt



While I've still got your attention I wanted to tell you that Pastor Jim is one of the funniest guys you'll ever meet - if you "get him." If you don't he'll just leave you confused and wondering how in the world this guy got to be in charge of anything. Which, in the end, just makes it even funnier to the rest of us.

Pastor Appreciation Month, part 1: Dale Brooks

October is Pastor Appreciation Month. You didn't know that? Maybe you would if you went to church. Why don't you come with me next week and see the man I'm talking about here.

Dale Brooks is the Senior Pastor at Avalon Church. I've been attending Avalon for a little over two years and I can honestly say that I love him, and he loves me right back. He exudes the joy of the Lord and you can't spend a minute with him without smiling. Just prepare to be hugged if you happen to wander within reach of him.

When I started attending Avalon, I used to take my notes from the service and compare them with my "old school" upbringing, my KJV Bible, commentaries, and whatever other theological resources I could find looking for ways he was liberalizing or diluting the message. Basically, I was looking for a reason to stop going. And in all that time I never found one. Pastor Dale loves the truth of Scripture, and that's what he preaches. It's been very exciting to see the church grow both in number and in spirit under his leadership.

Even in the face of great personal tragedy I never saw Pastor Dale's faith dim or even flicker. He truly is one of the rocks upon which the church (in both senses) is built. Avalon has grown to the point that total weekly attendance is now around 800 people, and I swear he knows every person's name, and their children as well. It is simply inspiring to watch him in action.

I went to see Pastor Dale for counseling almost two years ago, when I was experiencing an overpowering sense of insignificance, as I was approaching age 40 and didn't feel my life had amounted to very much. He gave me one of the greatest lessons I've ever learned that night. "Don't attach too much significance to significance," he told me. Just love God, study His Word, pray, and look for opportunities to serve. Significance will come on its own. And look at me now - less than a week from launching my life group, and I got you to read all the way to the bottom of this entry. So, how's that for significant?

Thank you, Pastor Dale, for being like a big neon arrow pointing to Jesus. I appreciate you greatly.