At the end of June, I will retire from the lead Pastor role at Riverbluff Church. I was called in June of 1988 and now I am responding to His calling to help other churches…. if they want it, of course! It will be more like semi-retirement and a new adventure for sure!
One of the greatest blessings of my life is "doing life" with a group of pastors Reggie McNeal named Joshua. The group is composed of Marshall Blalock, Tom Brown, and Tim Head. We have peer mentored each other, prayed together and for each other, helped each other process major decisions or major life "stuff", taken trips to great places together, and sometimes just had great fun. I can say without reservation I love these guys.
But we also don't let each other get by with much. We know when it's time to comfort one another or time to challenge one another. As we met last week I lamented that this Sunday would be my last Easter. Tom Brown, Pastor of James Island Baptist, said “You’re not leaving Christianity when you retire, are you?”
Of course I laughed at my error in comparing my last teaching time at Riverbluff to my last Easter. Like the brothers we are, Tom called my bluff when I was looking for a little pity. He reminded me that I will celebrate Easter as long as I live; and then when I meet Him face to face, I’ll celebrate some more!
I guess I’m needing to get clear on the difference between transitioning and quitting. One of my mentors, Jim Herron, would say “I’m transitioning”, but by God’s grace I shall never quit.
Of course if enough people start saying “Bless his heart” after I teach or serve, I may need to sit down early. Just sayin…
8-)
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