It's a small, rural church that's been around over 200 years. My whole life, I've been a member of my church. Even when I was in college and we lived out of state, I never attended church regularly anywhere else. My church is my church and it's just "home" to me and so many people there are like (and some really are) family to me.
When Steve and I got married, our pastor had recently died so we had another pastor we kinda knew do the service. When Savannah was baptized (I'm Lutheran), our pastor had just retired. He retired b/c of lots of drama and issues within the church. So, when Pastor Todd walked into our lives 3 years ago, we were ecstatic! Here was this young, dynamic person to bring life and harmony to our congregation - for the most part. I won't say everyone loves him , but overall, he is very well-liked and has done a super job.
Pastor Todd is in his early 30's and he and his wife have a baby. He's completely rejuvinated our youth program and his sermons have been approved by some of my Baptist relatives! Our Sunday school lessons have included the TV shows Everybody Loves Raymond and The Andy Griffith Show. And don't be surprised if he throws in a Tanya Tucker or Dave Matthews Band song either. One of my favorites was seeing him get in the inflatable kiddie pool at the end of Vacation Bible School when he knew all the cameras had been put away.
He announced in a letter last week that he is leaving at the end of this month. He's leaving for various reasons, but they aren't worth re-hashing. Nothing bad or illicit happened or anything like that. I understand, even if I don't agree, that he feels he made his decision with everyone's best interested in mind, but I'm still upset.
I'm sad for my family to not have a pastor to be there for us in good times and bad. I'm worried for my church. Will lots of people suddenly not come anymore b/c Pastor Todd is gone? Will the few "negative Nancys" in the congregation continue to ruin it for the rest of us? I'm mad that now the Sunday school class I enjoyed so much will probably never be the same. I'm mad that now Steve wants to use this as an opportunity to go to other churches when I don't want to go to other churches. I'm worried that our church will never have a Pastor that will meet all our needs and be able to stay more than 3 years. I'm sad b/c I really liked Pastor Todd and his family and now they'll be gone.
I know...I just have to trust that things will work out. Thanks for letting me get that out. I promise: the high-jinks and hilarity will resume next time....
3 comments:
I can relate. That sucks, I'm really sorry. Maybe even though he was an awesome Pastor, maybe the Lord knew he was needed somewhere else right now. And perhaps this is the Lord's way of sending the right person to your church. And if the negative nancys leave, then it's probably for the best. Keep the faith, and I'm sure when the dust settles all will be right. If your church has lasted as long as it has, then surely this one stumbling block won't cause it to fall.
I remember my First Time. Since Mr. was also in the ministry we had the inside scoop, but I felt bad for church friends who experienced Pastor's leaving almost like a break-up.
I was surprised by the folks who left simply because he left, and I was disgusted by those who stayed to complain.
Hang in there.
Ugh, now I totally miss Father Matt even more! H was that young, energetic, good looking, up with the times Priest. Then he went all big time and was recruited by one fo the huge local Catholic colleges here. H was the one who did all of our wedding and most of the grandkids baptisms. Isn't it funny how attached we get, when it should be the principe of why we are there to begin with? But they just make it so much easier to be there for the hour!
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