Today we’d like to introduce you to Andy Bowman.
Hi Andy, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I had been a pastor ever since I was a young pup. Since our early twenties, my wife, Renie, and I have been in pastoral ministry, or traveling the country working in evangelism, with most of our years lived in Oklahoma or in Florida. But about six years ago, I suddenly suffered severe health setbacks, which required stepping back from fulltime ministry for a few years.
When your doctors tell you that it is important to take some time away from work, you take advantage of their advice and move to be near your family.
Our oldest son and his extended family had been living in Phoenix, Az for the last fifteen years, and for a long time had been asking us to join them. Having to retire seemed like the perfect time to ‘load the truck and hit the road west,’ and that is exactly what we did. We found our new home in the beautiful city of Anthem.
We then began a new life of playing Nanna and Pappa to the grandkids, and supply preaching for pastors who needed to be away from their church on a Sunday.
But one recent Sunday morning in April of this year I was filling the pulpit of a church whose pastor had just resigned to move out of state. I truly enjoyed them and they seemed to tolerate me very well. They needed a pastor to love and lead them, and my health had improved to the point that I was ready to have a church to lead. We seemed to be a perfect fit, and I accepted their invitation to be the pastor at First Baptist Church of Sun City, AZ.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Smooth road!! Is there such a thing in the life of any human who has ever lived on earth?! Of course it hasn’t been smooth! We’ve lived thru the proverbial sandstorms, tornadoes, hurricanes and droughts, just like everyone else. Heartache, death of loved ones, miscommunication that results in loss of relationships, financial setbacks, health scares…that’s all a part of living for everyone who has attained the age of about….oh, let’s say around young adulthood. And this pastor is not any different than anyone else. I have experienced the highs and the lows of life – just like every reader of this article.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
As a young, wet-behind-the-ears pastor many many moons ago, I kept getting calls asking for help in many areas, and I was so very inexperienced in life and totally untrained to give help and advice. So I did the intelligent thing. I went back to school and earned my Doctorate in Christian Counseling, believing it would give me a leg up on helping with the pain and confusion that so many experience.
One of the most difficult parts of the pastorate is watching your church members struggle, but helping them is also one of the most rewarding. My wife, Renie, also went back to school and earned her Masters in Christian Counseling. For many years, she worked as a Licensed Pastoral Counselor within our church. She no longer works any longer in a counseling office, but she still uses her training and experience in writing a weekly newspaper column called The Coffeetime Column. It is aimed at encouraging the emotionally wounded, teaching healthy interaction between family members, and recognizing your own stupidity that is causing your own pain.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
My unsolicited advice for a wannabe pastor?
First and foremost; MAKE ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN, WITHOUT A DOUBT, NO BACKING OUT AND CHANGING YOUR MIND, THAT YOU ARE CALLED BY GOD TO BECOME A PASTOR. It is a difficult, rocky, and too often a heartbreaking choice – being totally involved in the lives of hurting church members. But it is also exciting, and fulfilling to see those same members being able to navigate the hard places of their lives, and still come out of them with their faith intact. And even closer to God than they were before.
So, I would tell anyone who is thinking of ministry as their career path…be sure. Be very sure. And when you are certain, then let nothing stop you from pursuing your call.
Secondly, I would advise them to learn. Place your education as a real priority. Learn to preach, learn to lead a church, and learn to study your Bible and your commentaries.
My last piece of advice? Learn that praying and getting God’s guidance in everything has to be paramount in whatever you are attempting to accomplish. Learn what your weaknesses are – and believe me, you have ’em – and work to strengthen those particular areas. If you can’t exactly identify what they are – ask your wife. She is probably a creditable expert for this reason: She has lived right by your side through it all – the good, bad and the ugly.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://coffeetimewithandyandrenie.com/
- Facebook: Andy Bowman
