What I Am, and What I Am Not.

Dr. Robert C Crowder

When God called me to preach the Gospel, He placed a clear purpose on my life. That calling has shaped every step of my ministry, every sermon I preach, and every conversation I share with God’s people. Through the years, I have learned that faithfulness begins with knowing what the Lord has asked me to do, and just as importantly, what He has not asked me to do.

This is not a list of limitations or excuses. It is a simple statement of the lane God has given me. My desire is to be faithful to that calling so that His people may grow in the Word and walk confidently with Christ.

I Am a Preacher of the Gospel

The Lord called me to proclaim His Word. My place is in the pulpit and in the Scriptures, pointing people to the truth that never changes. Preaching is not a performance. It is a holy responsibility. My joy is found in opening the Bible and declaring what God has said. As Paul wrote, “Preach the word” (2 Timothy 4:2).

I Am a Pastor to a Local Church

God entrusted me to the people of Lakeview Baptist Church. They are the flock I am accountable to shepherd. I care deeply for our wider community, but my primary responsibility is to the church body that gathers each week to worship, learn, and grow. Christ established the local church as the place where His people are fed and discipled, and that is where my heart is anchored.

I Am a Teacher of Scripture

Teaching is woven into every part of my ministry. Whether in the pulpit, in a classroom, or through the books and resources I write, my desire is to help believers understand Scripture clearly and apply it faithfully. Nothing brings me greater joy than watching someone see the truth of God’s Word come alive in their heart. “It is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:2).

I Am Grateful for Apologists, but I Am Not One

There are men and women whom God has gifted to debate, defend, and engage in public argument for the faith. I am thankful for every one of them. Yet God did not call me to a ministry of debate. He called me to a ministry of proclamation. My role is to feed the sheep through preaching and teaching, not to enter every argument or stand in every arena.

I Am Not a Political Voice

I pray for our nation and for those who lead it. I care about the moral direction of our culture. But my calling is not to speak for a party or a platform. It is to point people to Christ. Political influence lasts for a season. The Gospel transforms for eternity. The pulpit is strongest when it remains centered on Scripture, not on movements or agendas.

I Am Not a Cultural Commentator

The world changes every week. Scripture never changes. Others may analyze trends or track every social issue. My role is to preach timeless truth, trusting God to shape His people through His Word. Culture may shift, but the Bible stands firm, and that is where I anchor my ministry.

I Am Not Seeking Visibility

My desire is not to build a platform or attract attention. My desire is to be faithful to the work God has given me. Whatever opportunities come outside the walls of the church are secondary to the call to shepherd, teach, and proclaim the Gospel.

Why This Matters

Clarity about calling protects my ministry and strengthens the people I serve. It keeps me focused on the work that matters most. It reminds me that my accountability is to God and to the church He has placed under my care. When I stay within the lane He chose for me, I can serve with joy, endurance, and peace.

If you ever wonder what shapes my preaching, my writing, or my ministry, it is this conviction:Do what God has called you to do, and do it well.

My calling is simple, and I thank God for it. If I can help even one person grow in their walk with Christ or understand the Scriptures more clearly, then this ministry has been worthwhile. May the Lord use His Word to bring light, hope, and truth to every heart that hears it.