It's official...I am leaving my current job here at Spring Lake Wesleyan Church. Effective June 11th, my tenure here will be over. I will have served here 3 years. Crazy to think that I have been here 3 years as they have simply flown by...However, I was tremendously surprised by what happened yesterday. We announced to the entire church that we (Nate and I both) will be leaving, and in every service, people stood up and clapped and came down and prayed for us. I say surprised because you never really think you have that much of an impact on people until you leave. As a pastor, you rarely hear it from people while you are in the trenches and serving on a daily basis. However, when you leave, it is different. People bring out stories and moments that you had forgotten that had somehow impacted their lives. It is pretty amazing.
On another note, I was tremendously drained physically and emotionally after the morning services. I just wanted to go home and take a nap, and then today I began to think. Is that normal? Whenever people leave a job that they have really invested in and died to, is it normal to be drained and dead after you make the big announcement? Also, I am wondering if it would be wierd to throw a party for myself? I have been contemplating that, and wondering if that would be unethical or not? Any ideas?
In the end, I cannot say enough about this church and its leadership. Anyone who could get a shot at working here, take it! The staff is great and so is the leadership. Great kids as well. And I am learning that is what you miss when you leave a church...the people. Sure, you will miss the crazy games and fun times at camp, etc. But it is the people that connect you to a place and a job. Especially those you never really thought you had an impact on...until they come up to you crying, and you are sitting here going, "Did I really make that much of a difference in their life?"
On to the scary part, I am looking at going back to school to get my doctorate, but have not been accepted anywhere. As a matter of fact, I have been rejected at 3 schools, with 2 yet to let me know my status. Thus, if I do not get in anywhere, who knows what I will be doing in the fall. Anyone know of any good fast food places in need of workers? ha!
Let me know your thoughts and advice...
11 comments:
Well. Actually the McDonald's in Lakeview is looking for people to work.
I don't think it would be unethical to throw yourself a party. Sorta like a funeral but not, see a funeral is the celebration of one's life, why not celebrate the time you had at Spring Lake Wesleyan??? Sorry bout comparing that to a funeral but ya know-- it makes sense.
Melissa K. Male
Hey Brian, I was thinking about you and Nate Sunday Night. Glad to hear things went well.
Side Note: There's a place called "Solomon's Porch" that is hiring...have you heard of it? :-)
Talk with you soon!
-J-
Hunny, throwing a party for yourself would be wierd, don't you worry there will be something for you!!!
You've been officially accepted at Kinnan University. You are considered our top incoming student and we truly believe your talents will easily enable you to skip class and not turn in any work.
Welcome!
President DK
Brian,
Come join us at the Association for Christians in Student Development conference at IWU from June 5-8. There will be several schools there that will be looking to hire student development staff. You have the experience and education, and its a field that encourages more education. I can give you more info if you need it.
im not as cool as the other blogger commenters, but i will say, you have made some impact on my life, we have talked about this, it was and is great to be part of your life. ill pray for you buddy. ill ttyl too
much love,
mike
brian,
you have no clue how much your leadership has helped me through tough times and i just pray that where ever God takes you, you become an even greater impact.
- tim breitels
Good luck, Brian! We're in transition right now, too; just waiting to hear from the Lord what's next for us. It's nice though, we've had a couple of months off in-between and it's given us an awesome opportunity to completely close the last chapter before starting the next. We've also enjoyed visiting all different kinds of churches in the mean time. It's been good for us, but we're ready to start the next chapter as soon as God allows.
We look forward to hearing great things from you!
God bless,
Melissa (and David)Gafford
We've got a baby church that needs a pastor! Not quite fast food -- but if you can home cook a sermon. . .
Brian,
I agree you don't realized how much you are loved until you leave. I loved doing ministry with you man.
nate
well i heard that you were the speaker at camp.. so i've been praying for you.
melissa
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