Our new website is up...tweaking, polishing, adjusting, as we try to perfect our work. A new web page means I need to dust off my Blog...it has been a year since I last blogged. Does that say something about this past crazy year...a most amazing year of transition. Transition for myself, for my family, for our church.
In just two months I step over and our son, Kevin, will step into the role of Sr. Pastor. I will become the official church "Father" ("Pastor Emeritus"). After 45 years, I am stepping out of full-time Pastoring. I will continue my work as a City Manager (though at this point we do not know the exact location of our new assignment).
On May 1 we will celebrate our 25th Anniversary as a church, and install Pastor Kevin as the lead Pastor. This will bring to a culmination a 3-year planned transfer of leadership. It has been fun working so closely with him these past three years, and I'm rather proud of the spiritual and leadership growth I have seen in Kevin. He is ready to take the lead...I am ready to let him!
Am I retiring? No! I am just stepping back as far as the church goes. For almost three decades I have been a Pastor, and a local businessman. I have been a local elected official (Mayor) and now, after going back to Grad School, I am serving as a City Manager. I have always found ways to serve the local community where we lived, believing that I was to live out what I preached. So I have been a fireman, a police chaplain, a college instructor, a professional Mediator, an insurance salesman, landlord, and even held a real estate license for several years. I have taught Bible studies, theology, sailing and first aid. I have officiated at weddings, and conducted more funerals than I have preached sermons. It has been a most fascinating, interesting life. Through it all, I have sought to honor my God, both in and outside the church. Hopefully I have influenced others with my life, and helped others live their life to the fullest extent possible.
So now, with four and a half decades of pastoral ministry behind me, I guess I have a right to reminisce. But that will wait. I've said enough for now. I will continue to write and blog and see how I can encourage and influence others. Now, pardon me, I need to get back to my studies!
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