There are two ways to live this life. One is to live for your self, the other is to die to self. One leads us to pride, selfishness, and the hollowness of a life stolen, killed, and destroyed; the other to an abundant life in Jesus Christ. I have always tried to live my life as one who dies to self and follows Jesus. I take him at his word that whoever tries to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake shall find it. It is with this core belief that I am compelled to resign from Severn River Church at the end of this year.
Six years ago I began to hear God leading me to leave a church I loved to start a new church, and four years ago we launched it. For four years we have worked, and sweated, and laughed, and cried together for the mission of Christ: making disciples, baptizing them, and teaching them to obey God’s word. And for four years we have seen the hand of God move in and through us. Over the last few weeks I have met with many of you to talk with you about my decision. I have been received warmly as family. I appreciate that. That’s not to say that everyone has been happy or uplifted by this decision. I understand that it has hurt the sensitive parts of your hearts, and it has mine as well. Some began to share memories of times my ministry helped them in particularly difficult times in their life; the low points. It took me by surprise I guess, because I don’t think about those low points. I see the highpoints of growth, overcoming, and maturity. I love Severn River Church. I love its people, its families, I love its mission and mission field. I have learned so much here with you, from you.
My next steps are a little unclear. I don’t have an offer from another church, and have only started preparing to take the next step since coming to this decision. My future is in the Lord’s hands, and I trust that he will provide what I need. I wrestled with this decision a lot, and didn’t come to it quickly. I want you to know that I love you, I am proud of you, and I am thankful for you and all that you’ve done as you’ve partnered with me in this plant.
I recently met with a mentor of mine to discuss this decision and my future. He asked me if I could write the script of my life where I would see it going from here. I told him that I didn’t know. The script of my life had been written I thought. I would be at SRC, I thought, for twenty or thirty years. The Lord has other plans.
I will conclude my ministry at Severn River Church at the end of this year. Over the weeks to come I’ll be doing my best to lead the congregation through this time of transition. There are sure to be challenges but also joys along the way. I pray that throughout this transition we will continue to grow in the theme that we embraced for this year, “Formed in His image”. We began this year by meeting at Pastor Ariel’s condo for brunch. While we were there we passed out play dough and practiced forming the clay in our hands. It seems that God had a plan for that as he was shaping me, preparing me for this next step. And in the same way he has been shaping and preparing you. Here’s what I know: We will walk together for the next two months as pastor and parishioner. We will walk forever as brothers and sisters in Christ. In closing I want to share a scripture that sums up how I feel from 1 Thessalonians 2:8, “We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us.”
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.
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