Deuteronomy 31:7-8
(NRSV)
Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the sight of
all Israel: “Be strong and bold, for you are the one who will go with this
people into the land that the Lord has sworn to their ancestors to give them;
and you will put them in possession of it. It is the Lord who goes before you.
He will be with you; he will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be
dismayed.”
I don't know how many of you read Malcolm Gladwell's
powerful little book called The Tipping Point.
In the book, Gladwell seeks to explain how change happens
once a product or idea reaches a "tipping point" --- that spot where
it pushes the --- product or idea --- over.
As I have reflected on my journey --- I have come to realize
that there was a tipping point that took place a little less than two years
ago.
It was July of 2013 and I was really struggling with some
things.
In a conversation with Larry Whitehead, our North District
Superintendent he suggested I read a book by Henry Cloud called Necessary
Endings.
He had suggested the book, because it was clear to him, that
there were some "Necessary Endings," that needed to take place in my
life.
Cloud writes:
the tomorrow that you desire and
envision may never come to pass if you do not end some things you are doing
today.
Getting to the next level always
requires ending something, leaving it behind, and moving on. Growth itself demands that we move on. Without the ability to end things, people stay
stuck, never becoming who they were meant to be, never accomplishing all that
their talents and abilities should afford them.
I read the book with a set of expectations --- but as I
worked my way through it I began to realize that the necessary ending that was
needed was me.
I needed to make some changes in my life --- if I wanted to
achieve what God desired of me.
It was by this time last year --- I had begun to come aware
that I needed a necessary ending --- but I wasn't --- at that point --- willing
to admit it to myself.
So what was the tipping point --- because by November of 2014
--- I would put on my Staff Parish form that all clergy and SPRC's fill out
every fall that "I was willing to consider a new appointment?"
Which I knew meant that my tenure
as pastor of Ridge UMC was up.
It is strange looking backward at the past couple of years
and seeing my journey in the rear view mirror.
But I think I know what it was ---- I think I have somewhat
figured it out
Pastor's are storytellers, so we are always looking for good
stories to share --- and when we come across one --- we cut it out and hang on
to it for the right moment.
I am on lots of weird email lists ---- and last fall, I had
an email about a webinar that a woman was doing that was focused on the issue
of change
As I shared last week --- I understand how hard change is
--- but I also understand how important it is.
As John Maxwell loves to say
Change is
inevitable
Growth is
optional
As I was listening to this webinar --- and remember --- I am
very conflicted at this moment in my life
I know things
have to change
I just
haven't figured out what that means yet
She tells the story about the Barnum and Bailey Circus and a
fire that took place in the 1960's.
Now I want to give a disclaimer ---
I searched high and low trying to corroborate that this story actually happened
--- and I could not do that --- but I have NO DOUBT, but that it is a TRUE
story
It was a story about a family of seven elephants that were
killed when the circus tent that they were in caught fire.
Circus elephants (at least during this period) --- when they
are babies --- were trained by having a chain wrapped around their ankle which
is then tied to a post.
The elephants learn over time that
they cannot get away, and so they become somewhat docile
Eventually, all trainers need to do is tie a rope around the
elephant's ankle and they will not try to run away
When the fire broke out in this circus tent the elephants
did not try to run away because they had been trained that with that rope around
their ankle they could not escape
When their bodies were found following the fire --- the
firemen were baffled because the elephants had ropes tied around their ankles
and the rope was simply looped over a sawhorse
The elephants did not have to die ---
they could have simply walked out of the tent
But they died because they had
become conditioned and did not think they could change those conditions
How many of you over the years have said to me --- you
should have been a professor?
I was even
told it again this past week
I think over my 30 years in ministry, I had convinced myself
that I was TIED securely and completely and that there was no place to go
Of course, I have a Master's Degree
from Duke University, one of the finest institutions in our country that also
has a great basketball program . . .
But it is a Master's of Divinity
--- that and a dollar will get you a cup of coffee at McDonalds.
It is not the most widely desired
of degrees for employment outside the church . . .
I had CONVINCED myself --- that the only thing I could do
was be a parish pastor
And I know a lot of you will tell me how silly that belief
was --- but it was REAL
And I have done enough counseling over the years to know
that one's perception of reality --- often becomes REALITY to that person
And it was to
me
But then something happened.
I got courageous
Sometime late last fall --- and I can't tell you exactly
when it was --- I applied for a position.
I never got a response from my application,
Not a phone call
Not an
acknowledgment
But I took a risk --- and stuck my neck out.
Because I had said I WOULD CONSIDER A MOVE on that form last
November, I knew what that meant.
It meant that I WOULD MOVE --- but as I wrestled with God
over my future, I realized I really didn't want to move on to another church.
I have told you all for years this
would be my last Church
And
I still believe that is true
On December 30th, I met with the District Superintendent to
talk about where I might be moved to.
Following that meeting, I called the CEO of TradeWinds to
see where things were in their search for a new Director of Development and
Marketing. A few days later I sat down
with him to discuss the possibility of my coming on board.
On January 13th, as I drove to an interview with a committee
from TradeWinds, Nancy called to let me know that she had been let go from the
School Town after 16 years.
As I walked into that interview, to
say that I was in turmoil would be an understatement!
Obviously the interview went well, and 2 days later I
accepted the position.
During this whole process something has surprised me
NOT ONCE did I say: "O my God,
what have I done."
Every time I have left a church I
said that
But not this time
And for me the answer is pretty simple
God has been
in this
And the necessary ending and new beginning was already
become real to me.
This was my sixth appointment as a pastor
·
I served as a student at Richfield/New Mt Tabor
in NC for a year while I was in school
·
My first full time appointment was at Pretty
Lake Trinity on the west side of Plymouth
Nancy
and I got married while I served there
Jessica
was born there
·
Nancy and I started Celebration Church in Warsaw
Lindsey
and Haley were born there
·
Simpson UMC
·
Ridge UMC
Every church I have served has had its unique appeal
But it is here, that I finally figured out who I really was
Those of you
who sat in my classes got to see the real Steve
As we wrestled together trying to
figure out what God desires of us
And what I have really come to understand about myself ---
is that God wants me to be a community activist --- someone engaged in actively
caring for the least, the lost and the last
The most difficult time in my life
--- but without a doubt the most rewarding was the three year period when I was
head of LARRI --- the flood recovery group
They almost killed me, but I found
my real purpose in life
And since we closed up shop with
LARRI, I have been trying to find my spot
One of the things that I am looking forward to ---- as my
life settles down if being able to really get engaged with Children of Abraham
I love what
they are doing
And I hate that I have not had the
time to commit to their mission
I will this fall!
I also want to get more involved in trying to bring the
region together.
No community can be an Island --- as much as we want to try
And what happens in Gary and north
of the Borman Expressway affects us all
I hope that I can be an agent for
positive change and community building in the region
Ten years ago, Barbara Brown Taylor wrote a book that had a
huge impact on me.
It is the story of her journey from Parish Ministry to
academia. She was a parish priest for
twenty years before accepting a position at a small Christian College.
What she came to realize is that leaving Parish Ministry
freed her to a new relationship with God.
I think I am coming to the same realization.
But there is one more piece to this story --- and it is an
important one.
Ridge Church needed a new beginning as well.
I know for some of you, you cannot see that right now.
But I saw that before I saw the change I needed.
Most of my life I have identified with Joshua, but recently
I have realized that I have had the roles reversed.
I have led you as far as I could.
Sometimes it seems like we have wandered in the wilderness
But we have always had one goal in mind
To be bears of hope
To love UNCONDITIONALLY
To help people see that God has
something special for them
I have gotten you as far as I could
Today we stand at the Jordan River and God has told me that
my time is up --- that it is time to pass the mantle on to somebody new.
And I do that with a joyful and grateful heart.
You have loved the Congers in more ways than we will ever
deserve
We have been through good times and bad times together.
But today --- God says --- this is as far as you get to go
--- somebody else will lead Ridge Church forward.
I am excited in the leader that is coming. Pastor Michelle will take you to new places.
I am happy that the cabinet and our Staff Parish Relations
Committee have given you some time to grieve
So over the next few weeks --- grieve --- I know that Nancy
and I will
But on July 1 when Pastor Michelle Knight and her family
arrives, welcome her like you welcomed us --- with open arms and hearts
On July 12th, pack this place for her first Sunday.
Give her the benefit of the doubt --- and I think you will
find that you are blessed.
I pass the mantle on to her.
Ridge Church will ALWAYS hold a special place in our hearts
and lives
As a matter of face, Ridge is so important to us, that Nancy
and I have decided to purchase a columbarium niche.
Thank you --- for letting me be your pastor
Thank you for loving my family and making us welcome
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow penned these words:
Great is the art of the beginning,
but greater the art of ending.
We end --- so that we can begin anew!
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