When a Bigger Church Called—and I Stayed Where I Was

Not every opportunity that makes sense is meant to be accepted.

Early in my pastorate at First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens, I found myself at the center of a situation that, from the outside, seemed like an obvious next step.

The pastor of a well-known church in Northern New Jersey died and the church’s leaders expressed interest in me becoming their next pastor.

To many observers, the move made perfect sense.

Th…