You may be wondering about the title of this blog. If you’ve been in ministry very long, you understand it completely. Pastors and their families live in “glass houses.” The platform of a pastoral ministry is one which is very public. At the start of our journey together in marriage and ministry over 30 years ago, we decided to use the “glass house” to bring Him honor and glory. Jeanne got out the Windex, pulled back the curtains and started utilizing the place of our calling to point people to Jesus. You have a choice: embrace the “glass house” lifestyle and allow it to make you better, or endure it and become bitter.
Embracing the glass house means:
1) You better be the best you God has created, walking in His spirit. Be transparent. There is great wisdom in knowing your strengths and acknowledging your weaknesses.
2) Living in the public eye as a prophet makes private time with the Lord and those you love even more important. I’m not speaking of an occasional day off. There must be quality as well as quantity in this private time. In the words of Vance Havner, “You must regularly come apart before you come apart.”
3) Remember, while it is easy for others to see in to the windows of this “glass house,” the view is awesome looking out! Keep your focus on “things above.” Sitting in my chair in our den at the house where we lived in Sevierville, I could see the majestic lady of the Smokies, Mt. Le Conte. I have never gotten tired of that incredible view.
My hope is that through this communicative tool called a blog, you will be able to see my heart in the years ahead. I will attempt to share with you on a regular basis.
We may have left the pastorate for a season to follow God’s call to the TBC, but we gladly choose to continue to live in a “glass house.”
In Him,
Randy C. Davis
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Thank you for establishing connections – electronic and personal – with our pastors for whom you will serve as a pastor. These are exciting days for Tennessee Baptists.
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Congratulations Dr. Davis on your new position as Executive Director-Treasurer of the Tennessee Baptist Convention. I will miss seeing you at FBC Sevierville when we travel north to see our children.
Thanks for your support of David in his call into the Gospel Ministry.
God Bless, Danny V. Ray ,Chaplain Hospice of Tift Area, Tifton, Georgia
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Hi Bro. Randy. As a PK I understand what the glass house is. The Pastor and his family are always under the microscope.
Just to let you and Jeanne that we love you and will always be praying for you.
God Bless
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Bro Randy, you and Jeanne have taught me so much about this “glass house” in the time I’ve know you. As a PK, I sometimes had resentment about that glass house but as I get older, I embrace the opportunities I am given. Thank you both for the lessons you’ve taught me, both in words and by example. I think my daddy would be very proud of the “young preacher boy” he prayed the blessing over during his last hours!
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Thank you for connecting to TN Baptists in so many different ways. Cottage Grove continues to lift you up as you run the race God has set for you.
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THANK YOU BOTH for embracing the glass house. Your willingness to do this has made you so effective in your ministry and so encouraging to me. Miss you guys. Give Jeanne my love.
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Its good to be able to reach out to someone that still means so much to me and my family. Thanks!
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You are right on target with your “glass house” analogy of life. Thank you for listening to Gods call to move your “Glass House” to the TBC. You are one of God’s choice servants and we are honored to have you as our Executive Director/Treasurer of the TBC.
