Life-Transforming Walk

I have the distinct privilege of being a part of the Pastoral Search Team. I get a front row seat to what God has in store for Creekside in a new lead pastor! This is a privilege I don’t take lightly, and I’m constantly praying that God will keep me SO tuned into His voice and guidance - please pray for this for me (and for us as a team)!

One of the things that the Pastoral Search Team has been doing, that I love, is to start our meetings with a short devotional based on one of the 10 Missional Markers from the Covenant, led by one of the Team’s members. Mine was Marker # 2, ‘A Life-Transforming Walk with Jesus’. (Can there truly be any other kind of walk with Jesus!? :D)

The biblical texts cited for Missional Marker #2 are John 3:3, John 3:30 and Philippians 1:6. Below, we will take a look at each of these verses.

Some people think following Jesus means adding something to their life—a spiritual upgrade or self-improvement. But Jesus doesn’t talk about addition. He talks about new birth, surrender, and ongoing transformation. A life-transforming walk with Jesus is not about self-improvement. It’s about total re-creation.

As a search team we are not simply gathering and evaluating résumés of candidates. We are being invited to listen for the voice of our Shepherd.

1. Being Attentive to Christ in the Discernment Process

John 3:3 — “No one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”

Jesus tells Nicodemus that spiritual clarity does not come from experience, education, or position—it comes from new birth by the Spirit. This is a crucial reminder. Discernment is not primarily about insight—it’s about spiritual sight. Being “born of the Spirit” means learning to listen more than react, pray before we analyze, and notice where there is peace, conviction or resistance. In this process, Jesus may speak through Scripture, through unity OR disunity, or maybe through a shared sense of clarity.

We help this process when we begin meetings with unhurried prayer, create space for silence and ask the Lord, ‘What are You showing us?’ rather than ‘What do I prefer?’ Seeking the Kingdom requires attentiveness.

2. Embracing the Radical Nature of Jesus’ Leadership

John 3:30 — “He must become greater; I must become less.”

John the Baptist reminds us that true leadership begins with humility and surrender.

In a search process, this can be challenging because strong opinions are natural, personal preferences are real and past experiences shape our hopes. But Jesus continually deconstructs our assumptions about what kind of leader we think we need and about what success looks like in this process. It’s not just about finding the right pastor- it’s also about Jesus shaping us as a people.

As a search team, we can remember to hold preferences loosely, listen to one another with charity, and trust that Jesus may surprise us! The goal is not to have all the answers, but to collectively surrender to Christ’s will.

3. Trusting Jesus to Complete His Work in This Church

Philippians 1:6 — “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion…”

This verse anchors us in hope. The future of this church does not rest on this team alone. Jesus began the work here, is sustaining it now and will faithfully complete it. This truth/promise frees us from anxiety and urgency-driven decisions. Our responsibility is not perfection; it is faithfulness: faithful prayer, faithful listening and faithful unity. It’s exciting to me to think about, and pray for, the work that God is doing RIGHT NOW in the hearts of our team, our church and the pastor that He has chosen for Creekside!  Jesus is shaping both the future pastor and this congregation at the same time.

Closing Reflection

1.How is Jesus inviting us to become more attentive together?

2.What preferences or assumptions might we need to surrender?

3.Where do we need to trust that Jesus is already at work?

Closing Prayer

Jesus, You are the Shepherd of this church; become greater in us. Teach us to listen to Your voice. Make us humble, unified, and attentive. Complete Your good work in this congregation, for Your glory and our good. Amen.

Photo by Kelly McCrimmon on Unsplash