Excerpt from Bill Langley’s Resume…

God has called me to be the pastor of a local New Testament church. The word, “pastor,” literally means, “shepherd.” As a shepherd, Christ has entrusted me with three primary responsibilities: leading, feeding, and caring for the flock. A deep commitment to Christ, and the embracing of these responsibilities, has enabled me to build strong congregations and fruitful ministries. Allow me to give a brief overview of these three responsibilities in order that you might know my heart as a pastor.

Leadership
It is my belief that God not only desires faithfulness but fruitfulness in ministry. Leadership is a gift God has given me, as well as a skill I have labored diligently over the years to develop. As a leader, I have the discernment to interpret where God desires to lead a congregation, and the ability to cast a vision so that His people are eager to follow. It is my conviction that one of the most essential ingredients in growing a healthy church is developing strong, godly leaders. For this reason, I emphasize and provide practical leadership training for the staff and laity alike. It thrills me to help people discover and develop the gifts and abilities God has given them.

Ministry of the Word
Jesus attracted large crowds, not only because He loved people and met their needs, but also because He taught them in interesting and practical ways. Following the example of our Lord, I strive to be a life-application preacher. D. L. Moody once said, “The purpose of the bible is not to increase our knowledge but to change our lives.” For that reason, my preaching style is more than simply telling people what they ought to do; it involves showing them how to do it. Most often, I preach messages in series, whether on a particular topic, or through a book of the Bible. This helps ensure the congregation receives the full counsel of God’s Word. I prioritize the pulpit ministry and labor diligently to help people understand the relevance of God’s Word regarding every situation and aspect of their lives.

Pastoral Care
Because churches are made of people, and because people have special needs, pastoral care is an extremely important ministry. There are times of rejoicing, such as a wedding or the birth of a baby. There are times of sorrow, such as a funeral. There are special situations that sometimes require a godly counselor, or the need for a caring touch and word of prayer at the hospital bed. I am available to my congregation during these special times. I want every person to feel loved and cared for. This is such an important ministry that I share it with the staff, deacons and others in the church so that no one feels neglected. Churches that are known by their loving fellowship do not become that way by accident; they work at it. Therefore, I am very intentional in making sure pastoral care is a ministry that is prioritized and done well.