Letter to Congregation...

Dear Members & Friends of Bradley UMC:

It was announced to the congregation this morning, that Bishop Coyner has appointed me to serve as Pastor of Congress Street United Methodist Church in Lafayette, effective July 1, 2010.

My time in ministry with many of you will have an incredible impact on my future ministry – wherever it leads me. Some of the ministries we began together are outstanding testaments to your hearts. I commend you for your mission-mindedness, compassion for those around you and for not running from social justice ministries, issues and witness. I celebrate this with you! I thank all of you for the faithfulness and commitment to your church I have witnessed in so many ways through so many people. May you continually be reminded that “what does God require of you but do justice, and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8) You will remain in my thoughts and prayers as you continue writing a new chapter in your life together under Pastor Wade.

For a long time, I have awaited a solo appointment. I did have one prior to coming to Bradley, but it was a student appointment which is different from a full-time Elder appointment as a Pastor (mainly those congregations know you are a student…in the “learning phase” and much more forgiving of any mistakes you may make). Now, with God, I can break from my mold; take with me all I have learned the past 11 years; spread my wings and begin to craft my own ministry with a congregation at a time when their request is for leadership to boldly reach out to others.

My new appointment does not come without challenge (but many of you know I would not be the one to run from a good challenge, either). Like so many other churches, Congress Street has an aging congregation. They have struggled to retain members and the economic crisis has given them a few financial punches. HOWEVER, I celebrate the people at Congress Street who realize they must find some other directions to travel if they wish to remain a relevant witness to the world around them. Their location is prime (including the fact the city’s best local custard stand is across the street!). They are located in the heart of the city; they have property; they have active Daycare and Preschool programs. Most importantly, they are prepared to build a different foundation for effective ministry. At this point, neither they nor I know what the new-ness will be, but we will seek it together. At this point, I do know that they are ready to look out to the world and not focus on themselves. Such a focus, such a foundation, involves – requires – risk. But this is the heart of the Gospel of Jesus of Nazareth and the true purpose of the Church.

In many ways, Lafayette is a homecoming. I was born in a hospital five blocks from the church I will be calling “home” and Lafayette is where I spent most of my entertainment time (movies, shopping, etc.) while growing up in Attica. As I have Googled the distance from my new future parsonage to the old farmstead, I find it is only 24 miles!

I am sure as things begin to settle closer to my leave date, I will experience regret and a heavy heart. So many of you mean so much to me! I will miss my time learning from the Preschoolers. I will miss my Jim Dandy laughs. I will miss the challenging questions and good times from Confirmation Classes. I will miss watching those youth that come out of difficult home situations grow into better human beings filled with new possibility. I will miss my work through the Hope House and Kenneth Butler Memorial Soup Kitchen.

There is always more a pastor could do. When I came to Bradley as Associate Pastor, I was asked to be a pastor. There was no additional sub-title. With the support of Terry Campbell and the Bradley congregation, “the world [of Greenfield] became my parish.” My ministry was not confined to youth, or children, or elderly. Thank you for that opportunity! For 4 years, I have given you the best I could in doing the job of a pastor. For those I let down or disappointed, I am sorry. Now is a time for us both to move forward. It’s time to celebrate our Methodist way of doing things! The church is strengthened by the reappointment of pastors to lead congregations in different ways that are needed at different times. I am excited about the people I will be working with and leading soon. I hope you are equally excited about your future ministry possibilities at Bradley!

God will bless all of you in your future as a congregation! I wish you the best always!