I ll be the first to admit that the church can be a funny place, and the church has done some pretty stupid things over the span of history. But over all you must admit that there are millions of faithful congregations all over the world making a huge difference in the lives of their people and their communities. If our first conversion is to Jesus Christ, then our second conversion must be to the church so that we do not make up a Jesus just to fit our own personal and individualistic outlook on life . It takes more than a family to raise a child and it doesn't help if only the secular village raises our children. We need a faith-family in which to raise our kids and to raise ourselves up as well.
Churches often have difficulty remaining strong during times of pastoral transition.
I don't expect that will happen here with you. You have a remarkably able and devoted leadership team in our pastors and program staff and they will need extra love and encouragement during this time. Your session and deacons are ready to serve you well, also. My challenge is that you use this time in between pastors to increase in your worship, your stewardship, your mission to the community around us. In all our years together you have met every challenge with superb devotion and sacrifice and I expect nothing less in these years ahead.