May 19, 2021
In the past five weeks, I have begun the process of saying goodbye to the beloved community of the Hills Church. On June 20, my time as a called minister of this church will come to an end, and I will join the company of Hills Church clergy alumni. As I said at the time of my announcement, I am filled with gratitude for this congregation, and I have great faith and hope for your future.
The Hills Church is blessed by two other clergy, Rev. Judy Swahnberg and Rev. Anne Marie Holloway, who have been called to serve this congregation. Their ministries will continue to be healthy and vibrant during the transition of the senior minister. Adding to an abundance of riches is the ministry of John Finney and Sally Tomasetti, who both continue their long tenures of meaningful service, and a host of other talented staff members.
What's more, I have never seen a more dedicated and talented collection of lay leaders than the members of this church. Whomever is called to serve as interim senior minister in the months ahead will be blessed to join such a remarkable community of people.
In the church, transitions of ministry trace back to the first apostles. The apostle Paul is remembered as the one who most prominently shared the gospel in the world in the middle of the first century. Most of the New Testament is written by Paul or written in his name. Paul’s ministry was integral to the life of churches from Ephesus to Rome.
One of the best things that Paul gave to us is a model of ministry and transition. As Paul moved from one community to another, he trusted that others would continue the ministry that he had served himself, bearing in mind that growth in faith comes not from any individual person, but from God.
Paul wrote:
“What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you came to believe, as the Lord assigned to each. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. The one who plants and the one who waters have a common purpose.” (1 Corinthians 3:5-8)
Then Paul switched from a garden metaphor to construction:
“According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building on it. Each builder must choose with care how to build on it. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one that has been laid; that foundation is Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 3:10-11)
I am grateful for the seven years that I have been given with this congregation. I view my ministry as that of one person in a long line of those who seek to water the garden, and build on the foundation of our faith, following those who have been faithful in this work before us, and trusting the next seasons to other hands.
Peace,
