City Elder Collective

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From Kelly

As I look out on the world, it seems as if things are spinning out of control! But for all the chaos and uncertainty, the Lord’s will and plans have never wavered, and Jesus intends to use us to bring Him glory. 

 

Billy and I intend to spend this last season of our lives doing just that, by our time and energy being spiritual parents. One of the ways I am living out this call is by teaching 6th graders English in a middle school, and Billy is using his call to shepherd pastors in cities around the country. 

 

For the last 7 years, Billy has served both on staff at Skyline Church in OKC and traveled to love and serve church leaders in other cities. Just last month, Billy was sent out from our church in OKC to devote more time and energy to investing in pastors and their leaders full-time. 

 

Having a vibrant, healthy church and church leaders who can stand firm through all the chaos, that is one way we can bring glory to God and peace to the world. These men and women who lead God’s people need someone who doesn’t just offer information from a far, but someone who is willing to come to their city, sit across the table, put their arm around them, and help them shoulder the burden. That is who Billy is. A spiritual father. That is is what he has been doing, part-time, for over a decade. 

 

As we sense God calling him (us, really, as I also spiritually parent these women leaders) to make this his full-time vocation, we need a team alongside us as partners and friends.  We would like to ask you to join us. 

 

From Billy

I wanted to echo Kelly on the beauty of God’s call on our lives and how He has made us ready for this moment in time. God has called Kelly and I for this purpose in this season of our lives. We have seen Him affirm this call through friends, our disciples, and most importantly, the pastors we’ve mentored over the years.


As I was working on this letter, I received a call from a pastor and friend that I haven’t talked to in a while. He was in tears as he shared that I was the only person he knew to turn to, the only safe person outside of his congregation. He told a story of pain in his life and how he was ready to leave the ministry, and it made me long for the time and resources to go sit beside him and love him, his family, and his congregation.


Barna reports 38% of pastors are thinking of quitting the ministry, and almost half are under age 45. I recently asked one of the pastors that I am mentoring if he would dream with me. “If I were to invest full-time as a spiritual father to you, how could I serve you best?” This is what he listed:

·       Consistent spiritual mentorship.

·       Be a source of wisdom for me to talk through my church leadership needs.

·       Spiritual Father/ Mother / Eldering, vision for leaders within our body. 

·       Collaboration and connection with your community of other pastors.

·       Participate in occasional things with our church body – be a known person. 


This is our calling, and we are asking for your partnership. Please go to our City Elder Collective website to find more information and also learn how you can give as a ministry partner. You can also access giving through the "DONATE" Button.


If you have any thoughts, questions, advice, or just want to chat, please contact us! We love you and are so expectant for how God will use ALL of us, together.


Warmly in Christ, 

Billy


Project Manager

Billy Patterson

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