After 26 wonderful years as Lead Pastor of Riverbluff Church in North Charleston, I retired.

After three months of retirement, I’ve concluded I have not retired. I have "kinda-sorta-almost-retired" with a new Kingdom assignment.

Part of the Riverbluff Church DNA is helping other churches. Sometimes we send speakers. Sometimes we conduct Vacation Bible Schools for other churches. Sometimes we loan equipment. Once a year we cancel our services and worship with other churches giving them our prayers and offerings. Several times we have asked members to serve these other churches for a season to help them get strong. Once we loaned a staff member to The IMB in the Middle East for three months because they had an emergency personnel need. Our Counseling Center serves all Charleston area churches, and often pastors and/or their families.

So the idea of a person who helped other churches wasn’t new to Riverbluff.  We simply added a bald guy who loves coffee and helping pastors.

What do I do? At this point, it’s drinking a lot of Starbucks with pastors.  After getting acquainted  a bit, I ask “How can I help?”  Most of these guys don’t want to be Riverbluff or Curt Bradford, so they don't want mentoring. They would like to get a little counsel from a fellow pastor with no agenda other than Kingdom building. So I try to help according to their agenda.  Quite often my role is encourager. Other times I’m the one they “bounce ideas off”. At times I have been simply a “safe person” to talk to. I'm like a coach who helps someone reach the goals God has given.

I wasn’t sure how God would connect me with these pastors and/or churches, so I decided to use a unique strategy- I would pray about it and ask God to bring the people He wanted me to work with.  

And He has. I’m having a ball working with some great guys and great churches!

Just thought I would update the three people who read this blog (give my grandchildren a hug, please!) and ask you to pray for the work we’re doing.

Thank You Lord for this Kingdom retirement assignment.

Comments

[Carl Irish]

This guy still reads. Great to hear. Never thought there really was such a thing as retirement.....not that it's anywhere on my radar. Always thought it'd be more of a job transition. Love to hear about the cool stuff you're doing and the good books you're reading. Miss y'all a bunch..

[John Lee]

I am one of the many pastors who have benefited from your counsel and encouragement. Thanks Curt.