Interview with a Pastor
Quite a few years ago, I had the blessing of meeting Brother Chad Neil. Chad has been there for me at some very hard times in my life. His graciousness, brotherly love and heart for ministry is quickly evident. Our families are very close, our wives are friends, our sons are in the same grade in school, and we both have a daughter, too. Chad has been a friend and spiritual strength to me at many times. I count it a great privilege to have this interview, and his thoughts on various subjects.
I thought Chad would be a good choice as my first interview. Chad is the pastor of the Olive Branch Missionary Baptist Church that is just south of the Madison/Danville area of Boone County, West Virginia. Olive Branch has served their community for 190 years. This is a church that has seen many changes and different times.
Me: How old were you when you got saved?
Chad: I originally got saved and baptized when I was 12. However, it didn't take long for me to stray...honestly, I had never made a FULL commitment to God until my wife was pregnant with my daughter, Katie. That would have been in the fall of 1997...so I would have been 23 when I truly was saved.
M: Describe your call into ministry?
C: my call in to ministry took place over a period of several months. My pastor then was Robert Thompson. I was speaking at our Men's Fellowship once a month, teaching on Wednesday evenings twice a month, and teaching the adult Sunday School every week. I talked to him one Wednesday evening after I had taught and told him that I felt the calling on my life to preach. He spent many hours with me discussing the call and also encouraged me greatly. He also was the first to give me the opportunity to preach. My very first message was given on May 30, 2005 and was titled "The Challenge". He will always hold a huge place in my heart for the confidence he showed toward me.
M: As a bi-vocational pastor what are the challenges unique to it?
C: the biggest challenge I personally face is time. Between church, work, sports, family, etc...it just seems there are never enough hours in the day.
M: And what are advantages to being a bi-vocational pastor?
C: I personally believe there are none. I never looked at it as even having security with my 6-4 job...it could be gone tomorrow. I have always looked at it as I know God would always provide no matter what...I'll just continue to answer the call and leave the details to Him.
M: What do you think the Church (universal or at least in America) is missing today?
C: I read (listened) to a book titled "Why I Hate Religion but Love Jesus"...blew me away!!! I finally found a guy that had my exact thoughts and could actually write them down and get them published. The Church is missing Jesus!!! We seem so much like the Church of Ephesus. We have gotten so caught up in the world that we have forgotten our first love...JESUS!!! Everything has become ritual, standard, timed, RELIGIOUS, and has quite honestly made me sick. We must love God, like our neighbors, and just allow Jesus to make us in to what He has called us to be. When He called Peter and Andrew, He just said, follow Me and I will make you...our part is following Him, then He will make us.
M: What areas of ministry are the Church (again universal) neglecting?
C: We as a Church are neglecting each other. Jesus was so spot on when he said the fields are ripe...we live in the fields and look straight past them to the building we call church. We will walk right by them and not even notice their needs. We seem so much like the religious ones that walked past the Samaritan. We live in the mission fields and don't even realize it.
M: How do you see yourself, and your church addressing these issues?
C: We have taken on a project of a lady we know. To basically rebuild her home from the inside. We have all of the NORMAL church functions...food boxes during the holidays as well as raising money and hygiene items for those in need BUT we, our church, can do so much more. We have a vision of helping, ministering, and truly serving our area. We are currently making these plans and getting people in place that have a true heart to serve. We are very excited about the vision God has given us.
M: Finally, just give a word of encouragement to the readers...
C: I would love each of you to know that God loves you, Jesus died and rose again for you, and YOU TOO ARE A WHOSOEVER!!! I encourage you to step up, step out, and step in to the plan God has for you!!!
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