Sunday was a bittersweet experience for me. I've been the minister for Leonard Street Church of Christ in Pensacola, Florida since September, 1991. So much has changed since then. George Bush the First was President. Jared, my soon-to-be-high-school-graduate, was a twenty-two month old toddler. My older son, Daniel (who will celebrate his 9th wedding anniversary in a month) was an 8th grader. Oh, yes, a lot has happened in the last almost 16 years. The one constant was that I was the Leonard Street preacher. Of course, we had guest preachers from time to time, but I always felt a sense of ownership . . . that was my pulpit and I'd be back up there in my rightful place next week.
However, I announced my upcoming resignation several months ago and now the time is getting close. If we adhere to the present schedule, I'll have six more Sundays in the pulpit here. Last Sunday was the first time we had a "candidate" trying out for the minister's position. I sat and listened as Barry O'dell preached two good sermons. Honestly, I wasn't jealous at all. I hope it works out for him to come here; if it does, I think he would be a good fit for the folks here. If that does not come to pass, I am confident that a good man will be found to come and carry on the work I've been going for a decade and a half.
I am deeply excited about moving and beginning a new work in the Pacific Northwest. I've been having a good bit of e-mail and phone contact with different members of the Skagit Valley church and I am truly eager to get there and get going with the work I'm going to be doing there. But the bittersweet emotions come when I realize that I won't be able to experience much longer the things I've taken for granted for so long. No more "fishing" for a peppermint candy in Dale McCaleb's pocket. No more stopping by to chat with Margie in the library before every service. No more conversations with our nonagenarians . . . "Miz Nellie" and "Aunt Katie" who are present every Sunday. I could go on and on . . . after this many years, a preacher gets to know the members pretty well and I have more good memories than I could ever list here. As May 27 (our last Sunday here) gets closer, my thoughts will be dwelling on those memories more and more.
Life will go on. The church here will prosper and, I pray, Trish and I will be happy and fruitful in our work in Washington. I believe we will all be able to look back on the last fifteen years and be grateful for a lot of good things which happened while we lived in Pensacola.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Burlington, Here We Come!
I have accepted the invitation of the Skagit Valley Church of Christ in Burlington, WA to become their new preacher, starting about June 1st of this year. I'll have more to say about this new work as the time grows closer.
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
On the Move
I announced to the Leonard Street congregation Sunday, January 7th that my family would be moving from Pensacola this summer. This was a dramatic step, although it was one that had been in the works for a long time. By the time we move this summer, we will have lived in Pensacola for almost 16 years . . . all of that time I've been the preacher for the Leonard Street Church of Christ. In this blog entry, I'll try to answer some of the obvious questions:
1. Why are you leaving? First, it is altogether my initiative. I have discussed with the elders several times over the years my desire to stay the right length of time in this work . . . neither to leave too soon nor to stay too long. Last year, we renewed that conversation and I decided that summer 2007 (just after Jared graduates from high school) would be the best time to make that transition. I know the elders here respect my decision and probably agree with me that a change may be in the best interest of both my family and the church. Moving gives me the natural renewal that comes with new people, a new place, and new challenges and responsibilities. A change gives the church the opportunity to find a new preacher. Perhaps I'll address in a future article some of the qualities I think the church needs in a preacher, but I also recognize that it is not up to me to make the choice about Leonard Street's new minister. I do have a high level of confidence in the elders and deacons here to provide good leadership during this selection process. Notices have been posted on various web sites (see this one at Brown Trail School of Preaching and this one at Freed-Hardeman University.) When the church here at Leonard Street finds a new man, he will be coming into an environment with a great deal of potential. He can bring a new sense of excitement and a fresh perspective which may propel the church into a rich period of growth and development.
2. How Do You Feel About Leaving? To be honest, the last few days I have felt very sad about the thought of moving away from Leonard Street and Pensacola. I've spent almost a third of my life here. The Leonard Street church has been so good to me and my family over those years. We feel we have very close friendships with many people here . . . friendships we expect to last for the rest of our lives. Moving away from all that leaves a feeling of tremendous sadness. At the same time, there is excitement that a new chapter is opening. I believe an opportunity is at hand which will offer us the possibility of making a significant difference in the course of a congregation's history. It might sound trite, but it actually is very important for me to be able to say that I think the Lord will be pleased with the work I'm hoping to do. Using whatever talents I have in the best possible way in the Lord's service is the top priority at this stage of my life.
3. Where are you moving? Since November, I have been talking with a congregation in the Northwestern United States . . . an area much closer to Trish's children and grandchildren and a situation where I believe I can have a considerable impact for good. All the arrangements have not been completed and I do not want to "count my chickens" too soon. I hope to be able to announce definite plans in the near future.
4. When will you leave Leonard Street? It will not be before Jared's high school graduation which will take place May 24. If all arrangements fall into place as expected, we will be leaving about June 1 or shortly thereafter. If for some reason we do not have a place to go by that time, the elders have indicated their willingness for us to remain in the work here throughout the summer if necessary.
5. How will Leonard Street's new preacher be chosen? I need to leave the details of that process up to the elders. I am available to assist in any way I am needed, but the elders and deacons will be undertaking a thorough search for the best available man to fill the pulpit here. I know that notices have been posted at various brotherhood web sites. Several resumes have already been received and many more are expected over the next two months. I am confident our leaders here will do a good job evaluating candidates and bringing the best men here for further consideration. Give them your prayers and support.
1. Why are you leaving? First, it is altogether my initiative. I have discussed with the elders several times over the years my desire to stay the right length of time in this work . . . neither to leave too soon nor to stay too long. Last year, we renewed that conversation and I decided that summer 2007 (just after Jared graduates from high school) would be the best time to make that transition. I know the elders here respect my decision and probably agree with me that a change may be in the best interest of both my family and the church. Moving gives me the natural renewal that comes with new people, a new place, and new challenges and responsibilities. A change gives the church the opportunity to find a new preacher. Perhaps I'll address in a future article some of the qualities I think the church needs in a preacher, but I also recognize that it is not up to me to make the choice about Leonard Street's new minister. I do have a high level of confidence in the elders and deacons here to provide good leadership during this selection process. Notices have been posted on various web sites (see this one at Brown Trail School of Preaching and this one at Freed-Hardeman University.) When the church here at Leonard Street finds a new man, he will be coming into an environment with a great deal of potential. He can bring a new sense of excitement and a fresh perspective which may propel the church into a rich period of growth and development.
2. How Do You Feel About Leaving? To be honest, the last few days I have felt very sad about the thought of moving away from Leonard Street and Pensacola. I've spent almost a third of my life here. The Leonard Street church has been so good to me and my family over those years. We feel we have very close friendships with many people here . . . friendships we expect to last for the rest of our lives. Moving away from all that leaves a feeling of tremendous sadness. At the same time, there is excitement that a new chapter is opening. I believe an opportunity is at hand which will offer us the possibility of making a significant difference in the course of a congregation's history. It might sound trite, but it actually is very important for me to be able to say that I think the Lord will be pleased with the work I'm hoping to do. Using whatever talents I have in the best possible way in the Lord's service is the top priority at this stage of my life.
3. Where are you moving? Since November, I have been talking with a congregation in the Northwestern United States . . . an area much closer to Trish's children and grandchildren and a situation where I believe I can have a considerable impact for good. All the arrangements have not been completed and I do not want to "count my chickens" too soon. I hope to be able to announce definite plans in the near future.
4. When will you leave Leonard Street? It will not be before Jared's high school graduation which will take place May 24. If all arrangements fall into place as expected, we will be leaving about June 1 or shortly thereafter. If for some reason we do not have a place to go by that time, the elders have indicated their willingness for us to remain in the work here throughout the summer if necessary.
5. How will Leonard Street's new preacher be chosen? I need to leave the details of that process up to the elders. I am available to assist in any way I am needed, but the elders and deacons will be undertaking a thorough search for the best available man to fill the pulpit here. I know that notices have been posted at various brotherhood web sites. Several resumes have already been received and many more are expected over the next two months. I am confident our leaders here will do a good job evaluating candidates and bringing the best men here for further consideration. Give them your prayers and support.
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