Berea Update for November 14, 2025
This Thursday is a significant and meaningful milestone not only for me but for our entire church family as we gather for my ordination council. I want to begin by thanking you for your support, encouragement, and prayers. The process of preparing for ordination has reminded me again and again how much God loves the local church, and how He desires for all churches to love the Word, value shepherding, and take seriously the call to raise up faithful leaders.
Ordination is not about elevating a person; it is about affirming a calling. It is the church’s way of saying, “We see God’s work in this man’s life, and we stand with him as he pursues the ministry God has given.” This week’s devotional is meant to help us understand what ordination is, why churches practice it, and how it points all of us—not just pastors—back to the heart of the gospel.
If you’re able, I’d love for you to attend the council this Thursday. You’ll hear pastors and leaders ask questions about doctrine, Scripture, ministry philosophy, and practical theology. It’s a wonderful opportunity to learn, to be encouraged, and to see firsthand how churches guard the truth and affirm those who preach and teach it. I've sat on the other side of the table twice, and both times have been such an encouragement to me. This time, as I'm in the "hot seat," I'm sure my feelings might be a bit different, but I am still excited to be around godly men and to think deeply about God.
My prayer is that this devotional below helps deepen your understanding, strengthen your faith, and unite our hearts as we seek to glorify Christ together.
There are also several upcoming events that we have coming up! We hope that you'll be able to join us on Sunday, but also for these other activities!
Upcoming Events
1. This Sunday, Pastor Miller will be continuing his series on revival. This week's message entitled, "Humility: The Filling" will be from 1 Peter 5:5-7. At the end of service, we'll be praying over the Operation Christmas Child boxes before they are loaded into vehicles and taken to the local distribution center. Please plan to stay around after church, if you are able, to help load cars.
2. Wondering how you will survive the weeks surrounding Thanksgiving and Christmas? Are you dreading these holidays, knowing that everything has changed and that happy memories from past years can’t be recreated?
GriefShare's "Surviving the Holidays" seminar is especially for people who are grieving a loved one’s death. You’ll learn: how to deal with emotions you'll face during the holidays, what to do about traditions and other coming changes, helpful tips for surviving social events, and how to find hope for your future.
This year's event will be held this Sunday, November 16 from 3:00-5:00 PM here at the church. To register, click here:
Surviving the Holidays Registration
3. College/Career Crew! This Sunday, there is a chili lunch for all of you at Susan Kirby's house! You should have received an invite through text message earlier in the week. If you have not registered yet, please do so!
4. As mentioned above, you are invited to attend and listen as I meet with my ordination council here at the church on Thursday, November 20 at 12:30 PM. This important step affirms God's call on my life, and my commitment to faithfully preach and teach the Word of God. Please be in prayer for me as I share my testimony, doctrinal beliefs, and ministry philosophy before the council. Please know that if you attend, you will not be permitted to ask questions--only those serving on the ordination council will be given that opportunity.
5. Interested in participating in drama? Plans are underway to have both a Good Friday and Easter drama this upcoming year! If you are interested in acting, helping with set design, costumes, or in any other way, please see Phil Berrien, or sign-up at the Welcome Center this Sunday!
6. Looking ahead to Thanksgiving week, there will be no AWANA or Youth Group on Wednesday, November 26, and the office will be closed on both Thursday, November 27 and Friday, November 28.
Ways You Can Pray This Week
1. Pray for Karen Firmin as she finalizes packing today, and plans to leave for Boston tomorrow. Pray for protection for the "loading crew" and for the travel up to Boston.
2. Pray for Sunday's "Surviving the Holidays" event here at the church. There are approximately 25 individuals planning to participate. As they grieve the loss of a loved one, please pray that God would be their comfort.
***Please know that there are many individuals who need prayer this week due to health concerns and other events going on in their lives. Out of sensitivity to each individual's situation, these requests may not appear in this weekly blog. We have a "Prayer Team" at the church who receives more detailed information, and commits to praying for individuals in our church family.
This Week's Devotions
Day 1: God Calls Servants
1 Samuel 3:10 (ESV) — “And the LORD came and stood, calling as at other times, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ And Samuel said, ‘Speak, for your servant hears.’”
Ordination begins long before a council or ceremony—it begins with God’s call. Samuel didn’t volunteer for ministry; God summoned him. Throughout Scripture, God initiates ministry and His servants respond with availability, humility, and obedience. The church does not invent a calling—it discerns and affirms what God has already begun.
Reflection Question: Where have you sensed God nudging or calling you to serve Him more faithfully right now?
Prayer Focus: Ask God to open your ears like Samuel so you can hear His voice clearly.
Day 2: Recognizing Character Before Position
1 Timothy 3:1–2 (ESV) — “If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach…”
Before someone is ordained, the church should look at a man's testimony. Ministry is not first about ability—it’s about character. Paul’s list for spiritual leadership is not flashy: faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, integrity. Ordination affirms not just what a man can do but who he is by the grace of God.
Reflection Question: Which Christlike qualities are you asking God to grow in your own life?
Prayer Focus: Pray that our leaders—present and future—will be marked by integrity and humility.
Day 3: Set Apart by the Church
Acts 13:2–3 (ESV) — “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them. Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.”
Ordination reflects this same biblical pattern: God calls, and the church confirms and commissions. The laying on of hands is not magical—it’s meaningful. It says, “We believe God has called you, and we stand with you.” Ministry is never a solo assignment; it is supported, upheld, and strengthened by the body of Christ.
Reflection Question: How has the church supported your walk with God—and how can you support others?
Prayer Focus: Thank God for our church family and pray that we continue to send servants into ministry with joy.
Day 4: Guarding the Gospel
2 Timothy 1:14 (ESV) — “By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.”
Ordination is not just a celebration; it is a responsibility. Ministers are entrusted with the gospel—the most precious truth in the world. The charge to “guard the good deposit” reminds us that pastors and teachers must handle Scripture faithfully, teach sound doctrine, and shepherd people with care. But this calling is not only for pastors—every believer carries the gospel.
Reflection Question: In what ways can you guard and share the gospel in your daily life this week?
Prayer Focus: Ask the Spirit to help you treasure and protect the truth of God’s Word.
Day 5: Shepherding God’s Flock
1 Peter 5:2–3 (ESV) — “Shepherd the flock of God that is among you… being examples to the flock.”
Ordination is an affirmation that someone is ready to shepherd—to lead gently, teach faithfully, correct lovingly, and walk alongside others through life’s joys and struggles. Shepherding is slow, steady, and relational. But it is also deeply rewarding because God uses His people to care for His people.
Reflection Question: Who has shepherded you, and who might God be calling you to shepherd?
Prayer Focus: Pray for all who serve in spiritual leadership—that they would lead with compassion and Christlike humility.
Day 6: The Weight and Wonder of Ministry
2 Corinthians 2:16 (ESV) — “Who is sufficient for these things?”
Paul never pretended ministry was easy. In fact, he repeatedly confessed his own inadequacy—but then pointed to the sufficiency of Christ. Ordination doesn’t mark someone as perfect; it marks someone as dependent. Every sermon, every counseling session, every decision is done with a posture of, “Lord, I need You.”
Reflection Question: Where do you feel inadequate—and how can that drive you closer to Christ?
Prayer Focus: Pray that all of us would rely not on our own strength but on God’s sufficiency.
Day 7: The Goal of Ministry: Glorify Christ
Colossians 1:28 (ESV) — “Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.”
At the heart of ordination is one simple mission: proclaim Christ. Pastors preach not themselves but Jesus. They teach the Word so that believers grow in maturity, stability, and Christlikeness. And though one person may be ordained, the entire church shares in this mission—to help one another grow up into Christ.
Reflection Question: How can you help someone take one step closer to spiritual maturity this week?
Prayer Focus: Pray that everything we do as a church—every ministry, every conversation, every act of service—points people to Jesus.
Kids (and Kids at Heart) Korner
As we are now entering November, it's a great month to focus on the idea of thankfulness. Here are two "Thanksgiving" coloring pages:
Thanksgiving Coloring Pages
Hope to see you all on Sunday!
Keep Pressing On!
Mark