Living Water Church

[Pastor David Anthony Clarke]

Well,

I started ministering at Living Water Church yesterday morning. This is a church planted by my friend, Michael Chambers. The worship experience blew me away. I mean, it was quite an experience.

I still pastor Union Grove, which is a full-time pastorate. I was at Living Water at 9 a.m. and then went to the Grove Zone afterward. I got to the Grove at around 10:40 and preached there.

What is dominating my thinking is simply a curiosity as to what the Lord is up to. As far as I'm concerned, this Living Water relationship is limitless. It can turn into anything...unless the people are limited in their imaginations. Personally, I'm expecting God to do exceeding abundantly above all I could ever ask or think. I am walking in the fulfillment of prophecy that has declared more than once by different prophetic voices that there would be a shift and that I would "wear a new mantle." I am now wearing that mantle. I'm not looking to change my title. The issue is whether or not I see myself the same way God sees me and if I will confidently, gratiously, and humbly operate in agreement with who I am in His sight.

To say I am excited is an understatement. I look forward to learning what I can about how people feel in transitions such as this and how to effectively minister in a way that gives everyone involved-Living Waters and Union Grove- a sense of security, excitement, and even curiosity as to what the Lord is doing as He advances His kingdom throughout the earth. I am seeing how God is positioning me to assist ministers and ministries in transition. Union Grove is transitioning from more of a traditional church to a much more contemporary ministry. It wasn't very, very traditional when I came here five years ago. My predecessor, Arthur Hicks, was used of God to bring them into a mission-driven church. But, they were very traditional when it came to decision making. We are transitioning now to where we still meet quarterly, but the decision making process has changed dramatically and the atmosphere in which we make those decisions has gone to a whole new level.

There are a number of things that have helped us with this. One of the main things, though, is my personal transformation in the process. What a lot of leadership gurus say, and I have read stuff from a lot of them, is true. When the leader focuses on themself and the changes they need to make personally, things change around them. When the Philippian jailor asked, "What must I do to be saved?", he was asking what he needed to do to get out of the danger he was facing. He wanted his situation to change. The response Paul gave him was one leaders need to embrace, "Believe". In other words, basically, change your thinking. He did. His whole house got saved.

Transitions are challenging and everyone cannot handle them alone. I'm having a ball. I'll be sharing leadership training with another church in transition starting next month. I'll connect with my friend, Pastor James Smith, and the New Jerusalem Baptist Church in Gray, GA starting the second Saturday of Feb. We'll meet monthly for six months. I'm looking forward to what the Lord will impart as well as what I'll learn during our time together.

I'm meeting with the folks of Living Water tomorrow night (1-8-08). I'll share what I sense the Lord doing, what I can bring to the table, and simply leave it up to them to decide how they want to proceed. At the moment, we've agreed to a six month relationship where I will preach on Sundays and teach on Tuesday nights. I can either do that and nothing more, or I can provide a pastoral covering as long as the Lord has us connected. We'll see what happens. I'll share more later.

[Dr. Tincie Marie Lynch]

To God Be the Glory for this thing that he has done in your life. I praise GOD for promotion for we all no it comes from above. So the scripture states. Sta humble and prayerful and remember to keep the Lord 1st in all that you do and he will direct your path.
I look forward to meeting you as you mold into the Pastor that GOD has called you to be. Remember Jer 3:15 and Jer 29;11. He knows the plans he has for you not to harm or hurt you BUT give you an exspected end. Exspect the end.

Dr. Tincie

Atl

[Emmanuel Reid]

Wow! Pastor Dave, I'm blown away at this new flow for you! Did it take you by surprise? We've got to talk more about this. Blessings to you and yours.