I have been asked this question several times in recent weeks. For those who regularly use our First15 devotional to dedicate the first fifteen minutes of your day to God, you have probably recognized that our readings in recent weeks have been provided by a guest author by the name of Ben Simpson.
So, who is Ben?
Here’s a brief bio that Ben put together for me and a picture of his wonderful family.
Ben Simpson writes about the Bible, theology, ministry, and ideas. His wife Molly serves as Associate Pastor of First United Methodist Church in Waco, and they have two children, Joy and David. Ben is ordained in the Baptist tradition and holds degrees from Baylor University, Dallas Theological Seminary, and The University of Kansas. You can connect with Ben online at www.benjaminasimpson.com or follow him on Twitter: @bsimpson.
I got connected to Ben through his wife Molly who is currently serving at our sister church, First United Methodist Church in Waco. Previous to that, Molly served on staff at the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection. During that time, Ben wrote several curriculum pieces for Church of the Resurrection and has since published resources in connection with several other leading United Methodist congregations.
I was thrilled to have the chance to work with him on our Family Meeting series and I know that the reason I have been asked so many question is because of how much you have enjoyed Ben’s writing. We have already had some preliminary discussions about the possibility of him writing for us when our next super series comes around in the spring of 2017.
Pastor Tina and I look forward to writing First15 for our next series, Changed Lives, Changing Lives which will begin on Monday, October 17th.
I was wondering as well. Thanks for sharing and I have really enjoyed his “First 15” contributions.
Awesome. Thanks for the info. Cheryl and I have been wondering who Ben is Ana we’ve enjoyed his writing immensely. More Ben Simpson please.
Larry
Spring series with Ben involved sounds great, love to see his generation
active in the life of the Church.
Also note, wife and I enjoying your messages every week.
The question I am most commonly asked now is, who is the pastor? Are the three on the bench pastors? of what? Introducing each other as though there was a new person every time would help including Scott, etc..
I have been here 30 years and cannot answer because of so many changes. I often suggest they get the devotionals to learn more about their pastor. It often helps, at least you get a bit of an idea like reading your letters you might write to your family. Coming in early and talking with old and new families helps and sticking around late… for any of our pastors. Old or new it is hard to know the shepherds of this flock. People are searching for God through the Leaders of His flock…first and foremost….and they probably do not give them much time to show who they really are.
We as a community touch the persons that sit or sing or pray…near us and our service ..çaring.. is vital…God Really Needs us to ‘feed His sheep” and that takes seeing them and getting to know them. 100s of this flock are praying for ourselves, our courage to change, and our leaders and the First Responders, Our Staff. God works through the little stuff is my first belief ,why else would He chose to risk the whole world on a teenager and her baby boy? 🙂 Thanks for everything you do David and your staff supporters who each are a percentage of you….Thank You I cherish being here with you all…just a simple woman who thanks God for being forced to move to Mansfield 🙂
Betty Bledsoe