Friday, April 27, 2018

Thoughts on "Being Sent"...


"The apostles and the elders... agreed to send some delegates chosen from among themselves to Antioch, together with Paul and Barnabas." (Acts 15:22)

If you were at worship on April 22, you'll know that it was announced that I will be reappointed ("sent") by our Bishop to serve as Senior Pastor of McKendree UMC in Lawrenceville, GA beginning June 21. While Trish and I are sad to be leaving LaGrange, we feel that we have accomplished what God sent us here to do, and are also excited about the possibilities for ministry in the place to which we (like Paul and Barnabas) are being sent.  In addition, I am confident that the person God is sending to follow me as your new Senior Pastor – Rev. Dr. John Beyers -- is His choice to lead you into the next stage of your future (read more about John in a separate article in the May 1, 2018 issue of the FLAME newsletter).

Most of you know that the process of moving (or "reappointing") pastors every so often (called the "Itinerancy") is one of the unique qualities of being a United Methodist pastor and congregation.  Based on the early church model of "sending/appointing" leaders, while it’s often  difficult when there is a pastoral transition, it does mean that our churches don't need to have "search committees" or hire interim pastors, and pastors don't have to go "sell" themselves on the "open market" in order to find a new church.  Instead, "no church is ever without a pastor," and "no pastor is ever without a church." 

What's more is that since no single pastor possesses all the leadership qualities necessary to lead an individual church, over the course of several pastoral tenures (over, say, 20-30 years), a congregation led by several pastors will be more well-balanced than one who's had only one or two in that time, since each pastor will bring to them differing leadership skills:  some pastors are better speakers; some better organizers; some are good visionaries; others more people-oriented; and some better with evangelism or missions; etc.  While all of these are important, each pastor brings differing strengths to a congregation needed at differing times in its history.

Most importantly, when our Itinerant system works properly, it encourages congregations to be built around the people, rather than around a particular pastor.  In doing so, it lessens the likelihood that church members turn the pastor into an idol by becoming merely a "cult following" of that pastor.  So as you can see, while our system is challenging when there are transitions, there are plenty of good reasons to have it.

That said, there’s been a lot that has been accomplished in my tenure as your Senior Pastor that I want to celebrate with you.  For example, together, we have…

● Discerned and articulated a more accurate understanding of our church’s unique MISSION (“Christians Serving with love, Caring with compassion, and Sharing with boldness”) and our almost-adopted new VISION (the first draft of which was shared by our Long Range Planning Committee at the recent Town Hall meetings).

● Overseen a reconstitution of our church staff to be better equipped for future ministry, and fostered a healthier sense of staff teamwork and camaraderie.

 Re-started ministries vital to any healthy church such as Disciple Bible Study, Stephen Ministry, an intentional Congregational Care ministry, a collaborative Worship planning team, and increased volunteerism (“every member in ministry”).

● Helped to bring our annual budget more in line with current giving patterns, resulting in savings that has enabled us to pay off our line of credit and fund most of our upcoming HVAC system upgrade capital project.

● Introduced church leadership to the healthier and more biblically sound process of decision making by Consensus.

● Engaged the church in more intentional Missional and Evangelistic initiatives such as Church on the Hooch, increased partnership with our El Salvador ministry, annual Rise Against Hunger meal-packing events, and Operation Christmas Child.

● Put our church back on LaGrange’s “ecumenical map" through our participation in and leadership of things such as the community Easter Sunrise Service at Sweetland Amphitheatre, the Lagrange Clergy Fellowship, Racial reconciliation events and services, and partnership opportunities with Warren Temple UMC, the Korean UMC of Lagrange, and the Gideons.

 Helped our LaGrange Korean UMC church finally to be able to purchase and transition to their own ministry facility here in town.

● Led us to embrace essential 21st-century ministry tools such as Online Giving, “Text-to-Give”, Direct Deposit for staff payroll, a redesign of our church website, and use of newer technologies as aids to/in worship.

● Helped our Safety & Security ministry to address pressing issues with new safety and security protocols.

All of these (and more) are just a few reasons that I can with confidence say I feel that I’ve accomplished what the Lord sent me here to accomplish with and among you.  But even as we celebrate these accomplishments, I ask that you please pray not only for me and my family as we prepare to leave, but also for John as he prepares to arrive and begin leading you in late June.

Always remember that God loves you and I do, too!

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