Of Calls and Things

I wound up declining the two calls that I received; the first from Immanuel Lutheran Church, Tonawanda; and the second from Saint John's Lutheran Church and School, Staten Island.

I must say, it was a real struggle. In trying to weigh out what the Lord was saying, there was a lot of work involved. I feel I was successful in keeping a very open mind, doing my homework, visiting the Churches, and praying that the Lord would show the way.

In both cases, the need for a pastor was great (and still is). I did not turn either call away because there were "deficits", or some kind of unsatisfactory situation that would prevent me from going. Both had very fine ministries going--Immanuel had a beautiful Church building with lots of classroom space; St. John's had a wonderful school with a great staff. The call committees were people that I liked, liked a lot. Folk with a true passion for ministry. I anguish over the thought that I have let them down. One thing I have learned from this process: it's not about them and me, but about the Lord.

In the end, neither place is where the Lord wanted me. He made it clear that the needs in my present congregation are great, He opened the doors through these calls for some much needed dialogue between Pastor and People, and hopefully woke some others up that what we have been blessed with here is good.

In the end, I don't think it was the "easy way out" as some may think. Sure... go through it, but live in the safety zone of not having to really go anywhere. I assure you, that was not the case. We had begun the tedious work of packing our basement and garage up in preparation for moving. We had investigated jobs for my wife in both places. I had all of my medical records from my various doctors gathered up. After declining Tonawanda, I was really psyched at the prospect of being the Pastor of a Lutheran School. I had begun organizing my office so that I could pack my books up in an organized way. We researched "life" in Staten Island. I was ready.

Plus, I thought that things at my Church indicated that it was time. We got an organist in April-- for the past two years I recorded all hymns and liturgy on our digital organ and played it with a remote control unit. It worked well, but ate up a lot of my time. Now, I reasoned, they had an organist, and if I left they could still worship. (By the way, liturgical organists are REALLY hard to locate today!). An additional Deacon was consecrated the week after we welcomed our new organist, so there would be ample pastoral care. A friend of mine, who is a pastor, but presently without a Church, was open to the idea of taking over the vacancy. (Hey, he would be wonderful for either Church!). Everything seemed to be pointing to leaving "one Island for another."

That's when the Lord put the brakes on. Through very normal means, He spoke a very strong message to me. In situation after situation, He showed me clearly how He still needed me here.
"Excuse me, Lord, did I hear you right?" Yep. Confirmed multiple times, again.

Not knowing that I had made this decision, out of the blue, I received a beautiful note from one of the women on Immanuel's Call Committee. In part, she wrote, "My thoughts after reading your blog: Grow where you are planted. You have deep roots where you are now. Consider Paul's 2nd letter to Timothy Chapters 2,3 and 4 and also James 1:2-4." Wow.... thank you, Lord! This came well after I had declined their call.

Today, on the way out of Church, I saw a note on my desk. It was from one of our beloved widows, one of the few founding members of our Congregation who wrote, "Pastor and Sue, Thank you for not taking the "calling"-- you've brought us a long way in our congregation. We've got a l-o-n-g way to go! We want you to stay with us to guide us along the way..." I am humbled.

So here's what I need you all to do. Start praying fervently that God would provide Pastors to Immanuel and Saint John's. He knows who they are, otherwise He wouldn't have directed me to decline. They're already chosen. Pray that they would be identified and arrive on the scene soon. Pray for their people -- vacancies can be difficult times in the life of a parish. And remember, along with me, that Jesus is the Head of the Church, and that "Church shall never perish, her dear Lord to defend, to guide, sustain and cherish, is with Her to the end..."

Well, at least the basement its packed. Maybe now it will stay organized???