The First Baptist Church of Redlands
TA PE S T RY Woven Together In Love: Colossians 2:2 JULY 2014
ISSUE No. 7
An Interview with the Interim:
R e v. R ich ard B urke
Rev. Richard Burke won’t arrive at FBCR until Sunday, Aug. 17, but we got a chance to chat with him over the phone — to pre-introduce him and his heart for ministry — while he finishes his current interim pastorate in New York.
How do you feel about moving to Redlands, California? I’m excited about it. I’ve always wanted to live in California.
What’s a fun fact about What about First Baptist you? What are some of Church of Redlands made your interests? you interested in serving I’ve done quite a bit here as interim pastor? of traveling. A year ago I I love interim went to Alaska. I also love ministry. I sometimes feel London. If I didn’t live in that all my past experiences New York City, I would live in ministry have equipped in London. Another favorite me for interim work. I’m place of mine is Singapore. Photo courtesy of Burke looking forward to, of Rev. Richard Burke in Alaska last year. I was on my way to India course, first of all, getting to for a month-long mission Lord with you, I promise my full support know the folks in the church. trip awhile back, and went I’m very excited about it because I love of your present ministries. As such I to Singapore on the way there. Besides what the church is doing with the many promise to be present, to listen, to pray, traveling, I’m also an avid reader and I programs you have and the concerns you to guide in areas where guidance is love theater. When I was teaching speech needed. The task of interim pastor takes and theater, I directed Shakespearean have for people. a lot of listening — listening to the needs, plays. I wanted to originally be an actor, the hopes and even the fears, especially at which was my desire until the Lord called What are you hoping to bring during a time when the church is in transition. I me to preach. I never did acting because I your time here? When an interim comes into promise to pray for you and request that knew my first calling was to ministry. a church, they’re not developing new you also pray for me. programs, but rather supporting what’s already going on. It’s a time of healing in How did God confirm to you that He What’s something you’ve learned in all the church when a pastor you’ve loved wanted you to come here? of your time in ministry? When I received the phone call, leaves. Also it’s a time to reflect on the People. That’s what ministry is history of the church, give thanks for like with most things, I certainly prayed about. It’s about certainly serving the that; and to think about the identity about it, seeking the mind of the Lord. I Lord, but being involved with people, of the church today, in its community. just had a really strong feeling that this reaching out to people, showing them the Every congregation has a personality of is what God wants me to do. And then love of God. I think that’s missing in most its own and I have enjoyed the challenge that was confirmed when I had a visit churches. I was blessed because I heard of learning about that personality — how with the church leaders. But that’s very how much importance your church places the leaders and members work together. important: getting confirmation from on people and showing them God’s love. As I look forward to coming to serve the the Lord. That’s the key.