Bill Fowler

Here are some of the people and places that have shaped my spiritual journey:
My parents - they came to follow Christ in their midtwenties and for the following fifty years have devoted themselves to loving God and serving others.
The Ann Arbor (Michigan) Church of Christ - my growing up church. Different from Highland in many ways, however, similar in holding to lasting values - the lordship of Jesus Christ, encouragement for a life obedient to God's word, a spirit of family, a desire to serve God.
Christian Colleges - I graduated from Harding University. I was an administrator at Michigan Christian College. I have been an administrator and a faculty member at ACU. The influence of my friends, my teachers and now, my colleagues and students has been a powerful, spiritual blessing in my life.
My wife - Her devotion to God's word is inspiring. Her desire to serve God and others is an example to me. My girls - Lauren and Lindy - Knowing how much I love them has allowed me to get a glimpse of how God loves his children and how immeasurable is the sacrifice of His son.
University Church (Abilene) 1984-1993 - Our welcoming church after our move to Bill Fowler Abilene. A place of great friendships, mentors, spiritual growth and nurturing.
Highland Church (1993-present) - Home. A place - Home. A place present of spiritual renewal. A fountain for worship. A willingness to seek and receive God. A joyful spirit.

First and foremost, I believe a shepherd's primary role is to be concerned for the people around them in their spiritual community. The various roles that a shepherd will take on must be shaped by an attitude of humility.

Humility will fuel their need to pray as they realize their dependence on God's power and not their own.

A humble spirit will enable them to express concern for a person's spiritual well being with gentleness because they know their own need for God's grace.
In times of decision-making and in times of criticism, a humble heart will permit them to consider other's views and to seek peace.

Humility will permit them to serve when it is not convenient, pleasurable or rewarding.

I appreciate so much the pastoral model that Highland uses for our shepherds. I am glad that our shepherds dedicate their time to prayer, encouragement, service, and study of God's word.

My vision for Highland is perhaps best described in the way that I would describe my vision for my daughters. There are many possible futures for them in terms of what they might choose for a career or where they might go in their life. It is not as important to me that we would know exactly what they might do or where they might go. What is more important to me is for them to know who they will be in any of these circumstances.

In the same way as I think about Highland, my vision is not about specific programs for service or about places to go for evangelism. These opportunities will always abound and will present many good choices. It is more important for me to have a vision, not of what we will do, but of who we will be. My hope is that we will share the same values in the future that are important to us today;

• We will be people whose lives demonstrate obedience to the Lordship of Christ.
• We will love and support each other as members of one body.
• We will serve all in the name of Jesus.
• We will be messengers of the grace of God, by word or deed.
• We will hold to the faithful study of God's word.
• We will trust in the promises of God.