Leaving Sikeston

As of the first of July, 2015 First United Methodist Church of Sikeston, Missouri will receive a new lead pastor.  My time as lead pastor of this church will come to an end as of the last of June.  This is my decision, and not something proscribed to me by our bishop and district superintendent.  Bishop Schnase and District Superintendent Fred Leist are in full support.  It is not a decision entered into lightly.  Elaine and I have weighed this and prayed over this for several months.  This is not an easy decision.  We love the people and the ministry here and it will be extremely hard to leave.  However, we discern that it is time.  There are three main reasons for this:

• God is calling Elaine and me to a new, different direction in our discipleship and ministry.  The Holy Spirit has not made the specifics of this known to us at this time.  I am person under appointment, and I always fully trust the discernment of our bishop and district superintendents.  Having said that, it seems to us that my days of being the lead pastor of churches are coming to an end.  However it all plays out remains to be seen.
• God has brought First United Methodist Church-Sikeston to an amazing point in the ministry of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.  We know that an even greater era in disciple-making ministry lies ahead.  I do not possess the necessary combination of gifts, skills, and sustainable energy level to provide the leadership needed for this next bold step forward.
• Even now God is preparing and equipping the person who will step into the lead pastor role for the next chapter in this church's great story.  For me to stay would inhibit this important God-designed step.  I trust the Holy Spirit, our bishop, and Conference leadership completely.  Bishop Schnase is totally committed to evangelism, reaching the unreached, "the church has left the building," and all the emphases that now make up our church's identity.  His investment in our church's future is deep and strong.  He will send a new leader who will not allow our church to take one step backward in our Great Commission focus - not one step!  

I have been in full-time pastoral leadership for 37 years.  I have been blessed to be a part of five awesome appointments.  In particular, in my wildest imagination I never could have pictured the life-changing, community-transforming impact God has demonstrated in and through the ministry of First United Methodist Church of Sikeston, Missouri.   I am so thankful for the faithful and courageous leaders and servants here, and to be a part of what God has done over the last decade.  I am excited about all that is ahead for this wonderful congregation.

Elaine and I invite your prayers as we venture forward into unknown territory.  For all that has been, we say thanks be to God.  For all that is ahead, we say amen; yes.  Come, Lord Jesus!

I'll see you around the next bend in the river.  Headed for a new stream...

Time to Abandon Facebook?

What follows may be unnecessary.  Once again we baby-boomers are chasing younger generations off of a social media outlet.  I'm told Facebook is on the decline and may not have much of a future.  However, right now it remains a communication force for some.  I know it is supposed to be a lightweight means of general communication.  I'm concerned, though, by the amount of negativity, venom, and outright hating that makes its way to daily posts.   I don't know what's underneath all this.  Don't get me wrong; I'm all about free speech.  For those of us who claim Jesus, though, it's not about free speech.  It's about representing the King of Kings.  We play by a different set of rules.  If we can't or won't do so, whether on Facebook or anywhere, then we have to reconsider, seriously, our primary allegiance.

I know I'm far from guiltless.  I have posted negative energy, thinly veiled though I may have offered.  I've thought seriously about just opting out of Facebook.  Many of my colleagues in ministry, clergy and laity, have done so, essentially.  However, at least for now, Facebook continues to be a part of the electronic grid "marketplace."  Maybe I just need to establish and abide by ground rules or guiding questions before I post anything.  See what you think of the following:

1. IS THE POST POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE?  If I'm just wanting to vent my feelings and I'm looking for an easy, wide audience, is this the best use of my Facebook presence?  There's more than enough negativity in our world.  How does it help lift up Jesus if I add to it?  Even if the post makes a fairly good point, if it's delivered in a negative tone, I should not post it.
2. DOES THE POST ADD VALUE OR REDUCE VALUE?  Will the persons who read the post feel more valued in reading it, or will they feel belittled?  Will the post cause them to value other human beings as the children of God that they are, or will it contribute to readers seeing others as "those people."  If what I've written doesn't add value, I should not post it.
3. DOES THE POST ENCOURAGE OR DISCOURAGE?   Simply put, do my words add to a sense of hope or detract from it?  If the latter, I should not post it.
4. DOES THE POST FOCUS ON GOD AND/OR OTHERS OR DOES IT FOCUS ON ME?  The greatest commandment is to love God with my heart, soul, mind and strength, and to love others as God has loved me.  If what I've written doesn't reflect this, I should not post it.
5. DOES THE POST SPEAK THE TRUTH IN LOVE?   Love without truth is indulgence.  Truth without love is legalism.  It's possible to for me to state that which is in fact true, and thus justify that it needs to be posted.  However, I can state truth in a way that is judgmental and caustic.  If I do so, I am not representing Christ, and my words should not be posted.

If I continue on Facebook, these will be my guidelines.  Please hold me accountable to them.  If anyone feels led to try them as well, please do so.  I'll see you around the next bend in the river.