June 24, 2008

Dear Family of Faith,

You have heard on occasion that one of the prayers I pray each day is the simple prayer, “Lord, Use Me”. I have encouraged you many times in my preaching and teaching to pray in a similar manner. Yes, a simple prayer, but sometimes downright dangerous. “Lord, Use Me”, is a prayer which one must use with caution, and as we pray it, we should buckle our seat belts and put on our hard hats and get ready for an exciting journey. It is that simple prayer which led me to become the Mission Developer Pastor at Living Water in 1997; and it is one of the prayers that have kept me energized in doing ministry with you for these past eleven years.

I’m writing to tell you that God has gotten busy with me again. Without looking, seeking or even wanting one, I received a request to consider accepting a call to become Senior Pastor at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. After many, many difficult hours of discernment together with my family, I have decided to accept this new calling.

The reason this has been a difficult decision is due in large part to all of you; my love for this congregation runs deep. It is certainly not easy to take leave of a congregation that I have been a part of since day one, especially when this is such a healthy, vibrant place, filled with wonderful saints of God. I know there remains unfinished business; yet that is the case anytime a congregation is truly involved in God’s business of outreach and mission.

To leave here and move my family, with two children in High School, to a new (and colder) place such as Sioux Falls, I have had to be sure that this was the stirring and calling from the Holy Spirit. I trust that God is at work in this calling and decision. Gloria Dei is a congregation in need of leadership as they look to make some big transitions in the near future. With a large congregation (2000 members) and a growing staff, they have run out of space on their current site and are looking to purchase a 30 acre parcel on which to relocate. They believe God is leading them to reach out to the growing area where they are planted and to become more of a regional looking church.

The four characteristics they have sought in their new Sr. Pastor are these: 1. Leadership Skills; 2. Preaching and Communication; 3. Financial Stewardship and Development; and 4. a strong Mission and Outreach Focus. I have much to learn, but I believe that God is leading me to this congregation because I have a passion for each of these four areas. Gloria Dei congregation believes the same, and trusts God to be at work.

We are still working out the details, but I have informed the Church Council that my last day at Living Water will likely be Sunday, July 20.

I ask you to keep the Church Council and its President, Ken Walker, in your prayers; they are already beginning to make plans for a healthy transition period. I ask, too, that you keep Pastor Marcia in your prayers, as she takes on extra responsibilities and continues to serve and do fine ministry in Jesus’ name. Keep the congregation in your prayers, too, knowing that Jesus is Lord and that he is present and leading all of us into the future he has for us. And finally, keep me and my family in your prayers, as this is not an easy thing for us.

You are in my prayers and I thank God for you. I said a couple of Sundays ago in church that I am proud in so many ways of Living Water and the way God has and continues to use this congregation in his Kingdom work. As the developing pastor, Living Water has been like a child to me in many ways, and it has been a joy to watch it grow and mature. This is now a sound and stable congregation which has mission, outreach, enriching worship, and caring as part of its DNA. I can take leave of you in confidence knowing that there is strong pastoral and lay leadership in this place.

I could write a lot more, but I know we have these next weeks to visit, share, and celebrate ministry together. Thank you for your partnership in the Gospel of Christ.

“For I know the plans I have for you”, declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not for harm, plans to give you hope and a future.” --Jeremiah 29:11

Always in mission and ministry together with you,