Yesterday I told the people I pastor that I will no longer be their pastor after December 31. It was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. I've known for several years that this day was coming. But suddenly it has come and now gone. It was a mutually agreed upon decision that I reached with the Ministerial Review Team on Friday night based on our declining attendance and finances. Though it was a difficult decision for us to make, especially since I was given my best review to date, we agreed that it was a decision that needed to be made and that now was a good time to make it.
Many were shocked and saddened by the announcement. There were tears and hugs and words of encouragement. Over the coming weeks I will begin cleaning out my office and looking for new employment. I am now, more than ever, having to trust in God's provision and to cling to God's love. I keep praying that God will show me the path he has for me, but so far God has remained silent (or I have remained unable to hear or see).
Last night at the annual Community Thanksgiving Service (an ecumenical service hosted by the Ministerial Association of which I am part and held this year at the Catholic Church in town), we responsively sang the following words along with the choir as they sang a song, Shepherd Me, O God, based on Psalm 23:
Shepherd me, O God, beyond my wants, beyond my fears, from death into life.
That is my prayer today and likely for many more days to come.
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