Convictions

Just in case you haven't already heard, I announced on Oct 17 that I will be completing my service as pastor of Bloomfield Christian Church as of the end of this year. A very wide range of thoughts and feelings fill my heart and mind regarding this decision, and in no way was it an easy one. For nearly nine years, I have had the privilege of being your pastor, of sharing my thoughts with you on Sunday mornings, of being with you from time to time in hospital rooms and funeral homes, at weddings and through divorces, at births and through deaths, sharing joys and sorrows, walking together with you along trails of many kinds. To say that these nine years have changed me would be a severe understatement. Certainly I have been challenged in ways I could never have foreseen. The relationships formed here have reached and molded my heart in ways I could not have understood before.

As those of you who know me know well, this experience has been one to test my self-understanding in significant ways, forcing me to face my limitations at levels I had not known. You have been patient with me, understanding and accepting of my weaknesses. And God has been gracious, proving again and again His ability to use imperfect instruments to do work that only He can conceive and understand. The notion - graciously affirmed by many of you on many occasions - that my words and ministry have sometimes provided blessings to you - that notion fills me with humble satisfaction and overwhelming gratitude for the opportunity to be a part of your lives.

A significant part of this decision is my renewed desire to return to school, to study more, to earn a PhD, and ultimately teach. This has been a deep dream of mine for 34 years, and it seems that the time has come to take that step. Your encouragement and support in this pursuit have been priceless to me, and I will always be grateful for the many ways in which you have strengthened my spirit and my resolve.

Transitions always come with mixtures of pain and sorrow, and indeed I will miss my weekly connection with you. But transitions also crystalize convictions, and I will leave firmly persuaded that this is a good church, that you are good and loving and caring people, and that God will continue to love you and bless you, and to love and bless others through you.

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

-- Romans 8:38-39

Peace be with you.

-- Tom