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July 11, 2019
“Farewell”
The time has come to say ‘farewell’. When we began this adventure together we knew this time would come, and it is here. We have accomplished much, there is still much to do…that is the reality of life.
People sometimes ask me if I like doing intentional interim ministry. Truth…I do like interim ministry. It offers a new challenge every year (or so), I get to meet new disciples with new gifts and dreams, and I really feel connected to the larger church. Doing interim is like planting trees. When I was young I planted many trees on the farm. I watched them grow until I went off to college. Now, years later, I occasionally pass by the old farm and see that those trees are now 20 to 30 feet high. Interim is like planting trees that I may not see grow, but I’m confident that the Holy Spirit will keep those trees growing strong.
These words are attributed to Ernest Campbell, the Senior Minister at The Riverside Church in New York City from 1968-1976:
To be young is to study in schools
we did not build.
To be mature is to build schools
in which we will not study.
To be young is to sit under trees
we did not plant.
To be mature is to plant trees
under which we will not sit.
To be young is to dance to music
we did not write.
To be mature is to write music
to which we will not dance.
To be young is to worship in churches
we did not build.
To be mature is to build churches
in which we will not worship.
May God continue to bless us all, as we mature in faith and years. Thanks for allowing me to join you these past two years: In your joys and your sorrows, in your successes and you challenges, in your hopes and dreams!
May God strengthen you in your mission to share Jesus’ love and change the world by God’s grace!
~ Pastor Mike
“Farewell”
The time has come to say ‘farewell’. When we began this adventure together we knew this time would come, and it is here. We have accomplished much, there is still much to do…that is the reality of life.
People sometimes ask me if I like doing intentional interim ministry. Truth…I do like interim ministry. It offers a new challenge every year (or so), I get to meet new disciples with new gifts and dreams, and I really feel connected to the larger church. Doing interim is like planting trees. When I was young I planted many trees on the farm. I watched them grow until I went off to college. Now, years later, I occasionally pass by the old farm and see that those trees are now 20 to 30 feet high. Interim is like planting trees that I may not see grow, but I’m confident that the Holy Spirit will keep those trees growing strong.
These words are attributed to Ernest Campbell, the Senior Minister at The Riverside Church in New York City from 1968-1976:
To be young is to study in schools
we did not build.
To be mature is to build schools
in which we will not study.
To be young is to sit under trees
we did not plant.
To be mature is to plant trees
under which we will not sit.
To be young is to dance to music
we did not write.
To be mature is to write music
to which we will not dance.
To be young is to worship in churches
we did not build.
To be mature is to build churches
in which we will not worship.
May God continue to bless us all, as we mature in faith and years. Thanks for allowing me to join you these past two years: In your joys and your sorrows, in your successes and you challenges, in your hopes and dreams!
May God strengthen you in your mission to share Jesus’ love and change the world by God’s grace!
~ Pastor Mike