"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!
