i resigned as the pastor in late sept. looking to transition out by the end of the year.
the elders graciously gave me dec. paid without any duties ... a month of rest before we journey on to waterloo ON.
the first time i set foot into ecc, i loved everything about it. the people were warm, the atmosphere-always friendly, accepting and they accepted my family with arms wide open.
in 51/2 years the people have changed, literally, mentally and spiritually. the pickel's have changed too in very similar ways. many people have said that i have changed - they meant it in a negative way - but yes, i have changed... thank God. together, we have journeyed along a much needed road of growth.
i think the area i have grown the most in would be the leadership dept. there have been many moments where i have had time to assess and reassess myself and my involvement in the challenges faced over the past 5 years. i could not have learned what i have anywhere else: what i have learned about myself, leading others and authentic ministry. elmvale has been a perfect meshing experience for me. a lot of grace has flowed over this ministry - a lot of difficult times have been endured - a lot of people have allowed God to use them & a lot of people have loved and stuck it out with us. and so it is to the people of ecc that i say thank you and great blessings to you as you move forward, stronger, more confident in jesus, with a greater vision & passion for elmvale.
why am i leaving ecc? this is a question i wrestled with for almost a year now, not completely having clarity with where God was moving me and moving in me.
the answers i have had others guess for my leaving have been varied. people will always be funny this way. 'funny' can be exchanged with many adjectives.
some have thought the exodus of certain people has deflated me - no, but it did create confusion within our family and congregation.
some believed it was because ecc was going through a difficult financial time. no, when the people decided to trust God in a greater way ... God provided. it's never been about the money.
some believed i needed a more urban setting ... people are people and souls are souls. people really aren't that different anywhere else. their accents and traditions may differ but essentially people are busy, stressed, face difficulties, have secrets AND ... want to be loved and given a chance to work and live for the Kingdom.
some have thought that we had a falling out with friends ... again, no. they left church, not us.
i'm sure there are other theories but really it comes down to me and Bren being called to work in another part of God's kingdom work. it's not bigger or better but it will grow us in a different way just as our absence and the acquiring of another pastor will grow ecc in a different way.
we all grow and this growth is all for the glory of God. he's not ever 'finished with us yet'.
i'm am grateful in my heart for those at ecc who stand & stood beside us the whole time, cheering us on, praying for us, encouraging us and challenging us. i love the heart and spirit in this place. it is truly mature. it is meaty. it is love. jesus is living out of you. well done.
may you, as an extension of the glory of God, love and bring reconciliation to both those who come to ecc and those who will never come. continue to be salt and light, passionately refusing to lose sight of God's vision for you and your place in his Kingdom work.
Shane
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