Change and Growth
It has often been said that people hate change, but I don’t think this is entirely true. While many people enjoy routines and familiarity, they also welcome new things. Among other things, new restaurants, new technology, new friends, and new adventures, and we like new seasons (although this winter has proved to be a strange single season that seemed to start all the way back in September!).
This is why I tend to think that it’s not change that people resist so much as being changed. It’s not that we don’t like change, we just don’t want to change. This is because it’s hard. It’s uncomfortable, often humbling, and painfully difficult.
But as Christians, we must remember that change is really at the heart of what it means to be a Christian. When we believe the gospel, we accept the truth that we need to change. We know we are broken people whom God is making new through Christ. Not only us as individuals, but we believe that God is going to make all things new. There is also a cosmic change coming.
For my family, this past year has been an exercise in embracing change. I am usually a guy who likes things to be set, same, and similar. My daughter jokes that I watch the MeTV channel on the rabbit ears on our TV because it plays some of my favorite shows from my childhood….like MASH! I like older music (from before the year 1990 just to give you a reference), and my old beat up bicycle from the mid-80’s which still feels perfect to me. But this year has been teaching me about embracing change and stepping out into an unknown future with as much courage as I can muster. And……surprisingly I have been finding a deep sense of peace. I attribute that as the power of the Holy Spirit. It certainly isn’t my normal pattern. But this year, I have felt my heart, my faith, and my actions change. And I am thankful for God’s Spirit which has allowed me to grow through this incredible process.
St Barnabas will experience change as well. It may feel a little tiring as it seems we had just settled down these past 14 months after finally solidifying our staff positions, now only to see it change again. I know that can feel unsettling. But, as I have been finding in my life, God is active in all of this.
The next steps for St. Barnabas will be to prepare for an interim pastor from our Minneapolis synod. Our leadership has already informed the synod office of our need, and they are at work with our council to find the interim pastor who best meets our need and timeline. It will be this interim who will help you to walk through the process of finding the permanent pastor for my position. As my last Sunday with you is the last Sunday of July, we would foresee the interim pastor starting early August for continuity of ministry. Together with Pastor Stephanie they will continue steady pastoral leadership during this time of change.
I know all of this can be a little exhausting. Getting to know someone new for a short time, only to have to get to know another person after the interim leaves might feel like too much change. But maybe see it instead as a chance to bring people into your life that are there to expand your circle and deepen your faith walk. As I’ve been trusting God through this, I have been leaning into these moments as an opportunity to embrace what God is already at work in. It’s exciting, even as goodbyes, and hello’s can be challenging.
I want to you thank you all for your support and prayers during this past year of the long transition. I have felt your care, your prayers, and your concerns for my family.
Peace,
Pastor Jeff