Pastor Tom's letter to the congregation August 12, 2009 Dear First Baptist Family and Friends,
It is with profoundly mixed emotions that I hereby submit my resignation as Pastor of First Baptist Church Highland. I have been your Pastor for eleven years, and I am incredibly grateful for the many amazing experiences which we have shared together.From the very beginning you have welcomed Pam, Rebecca and I with open arms and allowed us into your lives.There have been births and deaths, weddings and funerals, worship, laughter and tears. You celebrated my fifth and tenth anniversaries in ministry. You supported and encouraged me to make a life changing mission trip to El Salvador. You supported me when my father died. You hung in there with a new pastor in his first church! The list goes on and on. And so it is that I come to this moment filled with both deep sadness and tremendous excitement. It has been a powerful collaboration which I am reluctant to let go of. And, after a great deal of careful thought and prayer and discernment, I believe the time has come for each of us to find separate paths as we move on from here into the future. It is my intention to have August 30, 2009 be my last Sunday here, followed by time off that I have accrued for Rebecca’s wedding, making September 15, 2009 my last official day.
As I write this letter I do not yet know what the future holds for me. I have not yet discovered my next calling. What has become clear to me is that it is time to let go of what is, in order to make room for what will be. And so Pam and I have chosen to take a “leap of faith” and step boldly into the unknown, trusting that the God who has led us this far will continue to provide guidance and abundant blessings. Our plans for the immediate future (once my time with you has concluded) is to eventually move nearer to family and for a time of rest and renewal. Please know that we do not take this step lightly. We have reached this decision with a great deal of trust and expectant anticipation for what the path ahead might hold for us.
I hope that First Baptist Church will also find this time of transition to be energizing, as you discover new possibilities for your future.
I look forward to opportunities in the coming weeks to share laughter and tears with you as together, we engage in both celebration and mourning. And wherever our paths take us from here, please know that I will always cherish the profound privilege it has been to be your pastor. May we each hold the other in our hearts as we journey on from here filled with God’s Holy Spirit.
"The LORD bless you and keep you; The LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; The LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace." Numbers 6
Blessings,
Pastor Tom |