I Give Thanks to God for You
Upon graduating from Seminary, I was appointed to the Caledonia Memorial UMC in Caledonia, Ohio. For my first sermon, I chose 1 Corinthians 1:4 as my text. It reads as follows, “I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus”. My sermon title was, “I Give Thanks to God for You”.
And now as I am on the verge of retirement that text and sermon title seem once again, incredibly timely and appropriate. Over the years I have been blessed to serve a variety of churches in various settings. I have enjoyed every one of them. But there is something about our church here in Palmetto that stands out in a unique way in my mind and heart.
You are an incredible congregation! The things you have made possible, the lives you have touched, the spirit with which you have taken on challenges is clear evidence that God is working through you in many ways. Our numbers may not be “large” but the size of your hearts is off the charts. The Pandemic took a toll on our worship attendance, but your generosity and faithfulness remained stronger than ever. You have met and exceeded challenges to reach out. You have come through again and again to support special projects. You know how to laugh and play and are genuinely welcoming. Over and over, you have met challenges and stood tall above them.
The opportunity to serve as your pastor has been the most fun and greatest joy of my ministry.
It will soon be time to begin a new chapter. In a few days I will no longer be your pastor. I will cherish you in my heart and be a friend but not your pastor. We can remain friends socially but any talk about the church is off limits. Just as I have grieved leaving other churches, I will grieve leaving you. This simply goes with the calling. We only grieve those we love.
For your benefit, your new pastor’s, and mine as well, I ask the following of you:
1. Please do not compare any new pastor to me. I’ve been on the other end of this before and I can tell you it is painful, stressful and keeps a church stuck in the past – which is a terrible place to be. We’ll never find God by trying to go back in the past, because God is always out in front of us creating a new future.
2. Appreciate the gifts and strengths all your new pastor(s) will bring.
3. Love the pastors who follow me as you have loved me.
4. Do not ask or expect me to break my covenantal responsibility as a Teaching Elder in the Peace River Presbytery by asking me to perform pastoral tasks. The only way I would even consider the possibility of such a request is by the direct invitation of the pastor and with written approval of the Session. These are Presbytery rules and I have every intention of abiding by them. There are NO EXCEPTIONS to this.
Lastly, I will continue, what has been my practice throughout my ministry, to give my full support and affirmation to whomever follows me. I know and respect the pastor who is coming as your Stated Supply Pastor. I am thrilled you will be in such good pastoral hands. He will be a blessing to you and you will be a blessing to him.
I am excited about the next chapter of our church here in Palmetto. I firmly believe God has very special things in store for you.
Grace and Peace, John