Rev. Ryan Heritage
Minister of Music Candidate

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Q. Please offer an assessment of your strengths and weaknesses as a minister.

A. I believe my strengths lie within conducting, leading worship, vocal performance, teaching voice, hymnology, budgeting and project planning, computer skills (music writing programs, video, sound, word document, visual presentation programs, graphing, budget programs), teaching the Bible, and critical thinking skills.   I value team ministry with colleagues and work well with volunteers.
My weaknesses lie mostly with my lack of experience.  I have not had extensive full-time experience.  I would like to spend time developing a good rapport with youth as I strengthen youth choirs in future ministries.

Q. Why are you open to a change of churches at this time?

A. My current position is a two-year program.  It will be ending in August of ’09; however, I am free to leave in the spring.

Q. Please comment on how your wife/husband affects/impacts your ministry and specifically what role(s) she/he plays as “a minister’s spouse.”   Is he/she satisfied with his/her current role and involvement?

A. Lindsey is obviously a large part of my life, especially with our recent marriage. She is a 3rd grade teacher and an excellent one.  Her “role” as my spouse is the same as mine to her and that is to be a partner as we share our defeats and victories.  She is one that I can come to for strength (both mental and spiritual), inspiration, guidance, and most importantly - love.
I do not ask her to be a part of a ministry in which she does not wish to invest her time.  That said, she invests her time daily with shaping the lives of our future.  In addition, together we often spend our free time with community mission work.
She is happy with her involvement, but would like for us to invest more time in missions in the community or abroad.

Q. What role do the committees play in your ministry and church leadership?

A. Committees are the voice of the congregation.  They speak for the church on behalf of everything from finances to decorations for special events.  I value their input and work as they make sure that the church needs are being met.  Similar to staff collaboration, it is important to me that the committees with whom I serve work hard to focus as we work together serving/ solving problems.

Q. How would you best describe your basic system of beliefs?

A. I believe that God is very loving.  He is loving to all.  We are not asked, nor do we have the right to decide whom we administer that love to, just that we are to love.  I try my hardest to follow these guidelines everyday.  God has loved me and has shown me grace time and time again.  I do not merit that grace for anything that I have done.

Q. In your view, describe the roles/functions of a minister.  What are the most important in your opinion?

A. The function of a minister is to be a leader of the people.  My particular role could be considered close to that of a nutritionist.  I am responsible for providing a proper diet of musical involvement that does not contain too much “pizza,” but not all “spinach.” 
Ministers are to open themselves to the needs of those around them. 
Ministers are to be present in times of struggle for their parishioners.
Ministers are to be good stewards of the church’s money.
While no minister holds an elitist position over a parishioner, they should have a vision for the ministry in which they lead.
Most important to me, is that I am a minister to people long before I am a musician.

In seeking direction and guidance in our search process, the First Baptist Music Search Committee prepared the following questions that were important for us to better understand Ryan’s beliefs and theologies.  Please note his answers…

1.   Regarding the Christian Bible and my understanding of the Scriptures, I believe...
The criterion by which the Bible is to be interpreted is Jesus Christ.

2. Please provide a statement that  best describes your understanding of traditional Baptist faith and practices…
Baptists are a people who profess a living faith.  This faith is rooted and grounded in Jesus Christ who is “the same yesterday, and today, and forever.”  The sole authority for faith and practice among Baptists is Jesus Christ whose will is revealed in the Holy Scriptures.  This living faith must experience a growing understanding of truth and must be continually interpreted and related to the needs of each new generation.  Although we may adopt certain confessions of faith which comprise a consensus of our beliefs, such statements should never be regarded as complete, infallible statements, nor as official creeds carrying mandatory authority.

3. Regarding the role of women in church, I tend to believe…
Women and men may serve equally in the church under the Lordship of Jesus Christ without being in conflict with Scripture.

4. Regarding the role and authority of the pastor, I believe…
The pastor is the spiritual leader of the church with the primary responsibility for teaching and preaching the message of Jesus Christ to the congregation and the secondary responsibility in
coordinating the efforts of the church staff.

5.Please provide a statement that best describes your theological position…
“The Bible is the record of God’s revelation of Himself to man”

Additional questions may be asked and answered at the April 19th Town Hall Meeting at 6:30 p.m. to discuss Ryan and his potential position with FBC Clinton.  Any additional questions may be referred to the Music Search Committee, members listed below:
Roger Robinson, Chairperson                        
Stan Elliott, Pastor
Gary Bowers               
Sue Brummett             
Gordon Cagle           
Victoria Coleman        
Martha Foster              
Laura Roberts             

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