Pastoral Transitions at NCF
Posted on August 27, 2008
Filed Under Announcements |
I’d like to take a few minutes to share some thoughts about the upcoming transitions that were announced during the service this past Sunday.
As you may have heard (if you didn’t, listen to the sermon!), a number of months ago Pastor Mike and I felt God prompting us to reexamine certain aspects of our pastoral roles in the church. Since then, we’ve been praying about things individually as well as together, continually seeking God’s will for the church and our ministries.
The result of this time of discernment is that God has given us a unified vision for the church, as well as a plan to implement the changes needed in order to realize that vision.
Over the next few weeks Pastor Mike will be transitioning his focus to more of the administrative, discipleship, and small group aspects of the church. At the same time, my focus will be shifting to include more preaching, teaching, and biblical counseling.
In order for this to happen, I’m leaving my job in the medical education field, and will now be in full-time service to North Country Fellowship. Pastor Mike will be reducing his church hours by half (to free up funds for my salary), and will be taking a part-time job in the printing company that he co-owns. This will provide each of us with the flexibility needed for our ministries, and the ability to provide for our families.
We’re very excited about these changes! We believe it is the best way to be obedient to the mission God has given the church, and to use the giftings and passions He has given us as individuals.
That said, we do understand that sometimes sudden changes can be a bit scary. Rest assured, not everything is changing! Pastor Mike is still our Senior Pastor, will still be preaching, and will still lead the music team. I’ll still be involved in youth group and visitation. Above all, North Country Fellowship will still be a welcoming place for people to meet and worship Jesus Christ.
As pastors, we want to be great models of what it means to follow Christ, and sometimes that means stepping out in faith by doing something new. We can’t ask you to do that in your lives if we’re not willing to do it ourselves. We’re being obedient to the call that God has put on us by making these changes, trusting that His plan is perfect.
If you have questions, comments, or concerns, you can post them here or email Pastor Mike or myself. I’ll leave you with one request: PRAY. Pray for your pastors, the church, and the community as we seek to represent Christ well in all we do.
Blessings!
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We just wanted to say that while we really enjoy Pastor Mike’s preaching, we have hoped that you, Pastor Len, would indeed preach more like you have recently as you have been on fire and we have had a lot to chew on lately.
Wow! No idea all this was going on! Sounds just like what is going on up here!
Hi All! WOW, you guys are really growing and reaching! We miss you all sooooo much. We have finally found a church home here in Kansas, Wallula Christian Church. It will never live up to NCFC, but comes in a close 2nd. We think about you often and pray all is well with our ‘old’ friends. Blessings Forever! The Knapps, Jodi, Garrett, Cole and Gavan!