Congratulations to our Associate Pastor Doug Dobbins, who after nearly two hours of questioning from our congregation, emerged unscathed and officially ordained for Gospel Ministry! Doug handled himself with grace and a keen understanding of the Scriptures, answering questions on the role and worth of women, the meaning of "tongues" as a spiritual gift, the eternal security of believers, the method and meaning of baptism and even the place of "dark matter" in the universe...Though he feared being too "convoluted", Doug was actually quite clear and helpful in his answers.
About 8:00 pm, we dismissed the candidate and the members of MSBC were finally ready to cast their ballots. There was no controversy and the final tally was 27 Yea and 0 Nay. What remains is an official presentation of the good Reverend Dobbins on Father's Day (June 21st) during the morning worship. Doug's parents will be flying in from Texas to join in the celebration!
Special thanks to all our church family who came to examine and confirm God's call on this young man, and also to our special guests, Paul Biswas (of the Boston Bangla Church) and Michael Ballou (of the North Shore Baptist Church in Peabody). And finally to Dorene and Katie who put together a most worthy reception.