Saturday At Starbucks

Yesterday was hard. The truck came and loaded all our worldly possessions, leaving an empty (and somewhat dirty...) house where we used to live. The kids were off playing with friends for most of the day, so when they came home to their house and found it empty, there were tears. They are still excited about moving, excited for the new adventure, but it's hard to leave the only place you've ever lived, and for Rachel, the only house she's ever called home. I told her about her first day home, her first steps, and all the other firsts in that house. She laughed and cried and slept like a rock last night. Good for her.

Today, while Beth and friends are cleaning so we can sell our house (pray early, pray often!), I'm here at Starbucks trying to write my last message to the church here in Pocatello as their pastor. I know that I might get invited back someday for an anniversary, or a building dedication, or something else big and fun, but maybe not. Whatever the future holds, I have tomorrow to share my last word from God to the people of the FBC Family. It's a good word, and I think god's been prepping my heart for it for the entire month. But now when the thoughts and ideas are supposed to be coming into the keyboard, they collide with feelings and emotions, and it once again becomes more difficult than usual.

So on the last Saturday of my ministry here, the last message waits for the last mocha to stir the last thoughts to become the last sermon of my last Sunday. I love these people; always have, even during the tough times. I love what God has done here, both in them and in me through them. I think I gained as much or more than I gave, and I know I gave my all. God has a great plan for this church, and I know that the best days are in front of them.

Tomorrow I'll post one last time from here. After that, I'll go dark for a while, so that I can get my life together at the other end. Truck gets to Minden on Tuesday, kids start school and my first staff meeting on Wednesday, and I've got an Accountability Team meeting on Saturday. One week from today, I'll be drinking a mocha from a different Starbucks in a different state at a different office of a different church. I'm trusting in God to make this all work right, but for now, one last message remains.

Thanks again to all for the prayers on our behalf. I can't imagine how hard this would be without all of you praying for all of us. The Lord Bless you.

Lunch

Today was an important day. Our staff has had a tradition of doing lunch out together for special occasions. Birthdays mainly, Administrative Professional's Day for sure, but some other stuff once in a while, too. After staff meeting on a Wednesday we go. Sometimes it's a surprise where we end up, sometimes it's a vote, sometimes it's the choice of the 'honoree.'

Today was my last staff lunch as the pastor of FBC Pocatello.

They let me pick, so we went to Red Lobster (which was everyone's guess ahead of time), and once again we sat around a large, round table and talked, ate and enjoyed each other. It has been my privilege to serve with some amazing people over the years, and to have lunches with them and celebrate. This one was no different. Lots of laughter, lots of shrimp, lots of fun with people I love.

I wish that we could have another lunch and have Beth, Becky, Troy, Tait, Nico, Bill, Brittney,Quentin, Patti, Megan, Linda, Brian, Kyle, Becky and Diana there, just to be the full history of the FBC Staff while I've been here, but that will have to wait until the 125 anniversary of the church (circle your calendar for November, 2016!).

I got to tell them once again how much I love them, how I am confident in their ministry and the future of FBC, and how I'm invested in them personally into the future, whatever future that is for them. These are great people, doing great work with great hearts, and I'm proud of them, proud to serve with them, and proud to call them friends. FBC Family, you are blessed to have such great people working with you and leading you.

I got asked what my favorite part of being on staff with these folks was, and the answer came easier than I expected. As much as I have loved doing ministry day to day with everyone, my favorite part has always been the road trips. The trips to Saddleback, the Nightmare at Deer Lodge, the Boise trip, Seattle, even the infamous Tri Cities trek are all special memories. Being out of our context, being real people together, talking, dreaming, eating good food, and having some unhurried time on the road has always been some of the best fun and most productive think/plan/dream time. Terms like, "Roma-rita," "Red Roof Inn," "Anger Management," and "We're together...not TOGETHER..." all invoke an insider's smile and warm memories for me.

I will miss coming to the office and seeing you, I will miss working and worshiping with you, and I will miss being molded and shaped by your lives and ministries. May God bless each of you - Karl, Stacy, Kathy, Aaron, Chris and Vern. I love you, and I can't wait to see what God does in and through each of you in the days and years to come.

The Week of Last

My daughter Rachel woke up today and said, "Today is my last Monday at school." She is the one who's having the hardest time with our move, and the weight of her 'lasts' seems to be heaviest. I resisted the urge to tell her that there will be a lot more Mondays in her life, and a lot more Mondays of school for that matter. Instead I hugged her and told her it was going to be good, so she might as well get started.

It's getting down to the wire, and I am seeing the 'lasts' of my time in Pocatello piling up. I know that we will be back to visit - both kids were born here, we've made life-long friendships here, and Beth loves Buddy's salads, so of course we're coming back - but everyone knows that coming for a visit isn't the same.

So I'm trying to find the joy in my 'lasts' when I can. The last trip to the Bannock County Jail to visit prisoners. The last staff meeting. The last lunch at the country club (note: I was never a member, but did harbor aspirations...). All the last dinners with friends. The last LLC was today (much love to my group - I carry you in my heart!). And I went to the Cancer Center for the last time as a patient today. Six years after being diagnosed, they are sad to see me go, but glad I'm going under my own steam. And, my cholesterol was down!!!

I realized that some of my lasts were a while ago, but I didn't know it at the time: my last wedding here, my last funeral here, my last time to pray at the city council meeting, my last Cancer Survivor Picnic here, my last Relay for Life here. Without knowing it, I attended my last Bengal game and celebrated my last Christmas here. These things that I didn't know were ending for me here, but now I look back and remember.

This week will have a few more 'lasts': my last staff lunch. My last Pastor's Prayer gathering. My last day in the office. My last message to my church family. My last goodbye to these people whom I love so dearly. One last party as your pastor here.

I have tried to imagine what it would feel like to leave, and it's tougher than I thought. Each step carries with it a fresh load of emotions and tears. But at the same time, I am starting to get some excitement for what is in front of me, and what is in front of FBC Pocatello. I'm getting fired up about what God wants to do next, but that's for the next post. For now, I'm just living and learning from the 'lasts.'

Joy and Tears, Sadness and Laughter

The whirlwind of winding up here at FBC is continuing, and there have been many lunches, dinners, meetings, appointments and conversations, with more left to come. I have been asked great questions about how I'm feeling, what's the new church going to be like, how are the kids doing with the move, etc... I answer as honestly as I can, and it's been good to talk about it with folks I love and who love me and wants what God wants for me.

I got asked if I was excited to go to LifePoint, and I gave an odd answer (even for me...). I said, I haven't had the chance to be excited yet. I've been so full of bittersweet feelings over leaving that I haven't had the opportunity to get excited about what God has next.

Yes, I know that God is calling me and my family to go, and yes, all the reasons why are still good reasons. I will become very excited to be there the closer we get, and I don't want anyone misreading what I'm saying. I am looking forward to what I've been called to do, and I want to get there and get started.

But I feel like God has given me a gift right now, and the gift is to be able to block out any excitement for going to LifePoint in order to finish being here in Pocatello. The joy I feel in talking to so many folks about what God has done over these last 14 years is mixed with tears of sadness over what I will miss when I go. And in my sadness over leaving, I have had deep moments of humor and laughter over the adventures we have had here. Every emotion is mixed with one or two more.

I love what God is doing in my life, and I love what God has been doing in my life. In saying "yes" to LifePoint, I don't believe I'm saying "no" to FBC Pocatello, it's just that I'm needing to follow God's guidance in my life, and leave an opening for the right person to come here and lift this church to a new level.

All that mixes up in a fizzy, bubbling, cacophony of feelings and emotions. Sometimes I laugh when I'm crying, and sometimes I cry when I'm laughing. Sometimes I feel deep joy and satisfaction while still feeling aches and sadness. But in all of it, God's hand continues to be clear, and the good news is that He's still in control, even when my emotions are all over the map.

Thanks to all who continue to pray for us and this transition. Please don't stop, and please for give me if you think my emotional state isn't where you might think it should be. It's hard for me to figure out how I'm supposed to feel.

Juggling Act

I learned to juggle about 16 years ago as a part of my youth ministry days. I wanted to be able to do something unusual to get the kid's attention, and juggling seemed like an easy way to do it. I bought the Klutz book on juggling (it came with it's own practice beanbags), and practiced until I could do it reasonably well. I pulled out the juggling a few times over the years, and if I get an hour to practice, I could get my coordination back in shape.

But right now, I'm juggling more than I ever thought I could. :)

So in the midst of ending well at FBC Pocatello, and trying to get my stuff packed to move, and saying goodbye to longtime friends, and leading my staff here toward the interim and the future, and getting up to speed about ministry at LifePoint, and shepherding my family through the transition, and getting my change of address form in to the Post Office, and keeping my parents in the loop, and setting up appointments for baby dedications... I realized I'm juggling everything in my life right now. :)

Most times, we watch a juggler and wonder how he does it, will he drop something, or will he catch the wrong end of something sharp. I once watched a guy in San Francisco juggle a chain saw, a bowling ball, a machete, and an apple. It was like a car wreck - I couldn't turn away! He survived, and actually, it was amazing to watch.

But I need to ask you for prayer instead of observation. I know many of you are praying for me and my family as we make this transition. Here's some specifics I'd like to ask you to focus on in prayer:

• Pray that my time at FBC is good, effective ministry. I don't want to coast to the end, and I don't want anyone to think I gave half an effort in finishing. I want to finish well.
• Pray that my wife and kids are healthy and strong during this move, that they can and will get done all that they need to in order to finish well with friends, packing and changing schools.
• Pray for my staff team here at FBC, the leaders and the elders. They are all feeling the tension of the transition in different ways, and they all need strength, wisdom and courage. I've been where they are once before, and I know that it's not easy duty to serve a church during an interim. Pray that they continue to do the terrific work they do for this church and for the Lord.
• Pray for the staff team at LifePoint. They are getting a new boss, and that has to be at least a little unnerving. They have a current Senior Pastor to say goodbye to, and they want to honor him well and be ready to welcome us, too. Help them to have wisdom and grace to do both of those things at the same time while still trying to get Easter planned.
• Pray for the interim pastor that is coming to FBC, and for the pastor that is out there being groomed and prepared by God to come serve the people of Pocatello. God's plan is good, and He's been at work getting someone ready to step into this amazing miracle of a church, so pray that God gets the right person ready for the right job.
• Pray for two great messages to end on here, and a great series to start on there.
• Pray for safe travel for my family. I'd like our stuff to get there in one piece, but I'd prefer my family over my stuff, so please focus there.
  
• Pray for the details - the mind-numbing amount of details - that we have to slog through over the next two weeks to come together and not leave off until the last minute.
• Pray for our house here to sell, the right price, the right buyer, the right timing. Then, when that's over, pray for the right house to buy there, the right price, the right seller.
  

Yeah, that's a long list. Thanks for helping me juggle.

Emotional Overload

Name an emotion. Go ahead, pick one. Got it in your head?

Chances are I'm feeling it right now.

After the roller coaster my life has been the past few months, the announcement this past weekend at FBC that I am stepping down to accept a call from another church turned loose a tidal wave of emotions. As people came to congratulate me, chastise me, ask me why or tell me what for, I felt all of the weight of their emotions as well as my own.

I'm a mixed up mess of emotions - excitement and concern, joy and pain, heartache and anticipation, happy and sad. As much as pastors are looked at as a 'different breed of cat,' we're just human beings with human emotions. As much as I hate to feel all these competing ways, it's all I can do. That and pray. So I pray.

Turns out it's hard to leave a place that you love, and it's hard to disappoint so many people all at once, even if it's a right and obedient thing you're doing.

Much appreciation to all who have called, written or told me about how excited they are for us, and for all who have been and continue to pray for us:

• Much appreciation for my FBC family and the ways you are supporting and encouraging us while dealing with your own uncertainty and fears. I know that God has a plan for FBC, and He's going to bring you to a new and glorious future.
• Much appreciation for my LifePoint family and the way you have aggressively prayed for both my immediate family and for my FBC family. God will honor your faithfulness in prayer.

It's my hope that as we celebrate and grieve together that we can all find some grace to share with each other, and some of God's love to cover. Meantime, please continue to pray that I finish well what God has for me here, and that I take up what He has for me at LifePoint with integrity and grace.

Yes, It's Official

The word is out, but for those who have not yet heard, I will be leaving FBC Poky at the end of this month. I have received and accepted a call to be the Lead Pastor at LifePoint Church in the Carson Valley of Nevada.

My friend John Jackson planted LifePoint 12 years ago, and it has thrived and grown from a handful to a vibrant congregation. He has accepted a position at Bayside Church in the Sacramento area, and a few months ago he called and asked if I would be interested in following him at LifePoint. After a long and interesting process, filled with prayer and airplanes, Beth and I felt the release of God on our ministry here and the call to a new adventure there.

I may get to post more of the story of how God made it clear to Beth and me that this was his plan, but for now, please hear me say a couple of things:

First, I was not looking for a new church. I had not pulled out my resume to look at it for 15 years, and was very content to stay in Pocatello my entire career. Some people have said there were other factors in my decision to leave, and those rumors are completely and utterly untrue. I was brokenhearted when it started to be clear that we were released here, and more so as the day came to share with my church family that I was leaving. I am only being obedient to the call of God on my life. It's all I can do.

Second, while I am excited about the future that God has unfolded in front of us, I am also excited about what God is going to do here in Pocatello. Again, I was content to stay and see God continue to build a great church here, but I am still convinced, as I said on Sunday, that the best days of this church are still in front of her. I will continue to pray and lift up the future of FBC Pocatello, knowing that the God who brought us this far will not fail us. I know that just as my friend John was prepared by God to move to Bayside to help that church move to the next level, and God has prepared me to help LifePoint move to the next level, God has been and will be preparing another pastor to come here and build on the effective and exciting ministry here.

I'll have more later, but I wanted to make sure this got out and that you heard it from me. I appreciate all the prayers, and ask that you continue to pray for LifePoint, FBC, my family and me as we all make these important transitions.

Major Announcement Coming...

Yes, there will be a major announcement coming this Sunday at FBC Pocatello. To that end, I ask for a couple of favors:

• If you can at all make it to a service, please show up. This is big stuff, and the family needs to be there. I know there's a game on, but the kickoff isn't until late afternoon, I think you can squeeze in a worship service before you start on your guacamole.
• If you already know or think you know, could you please help by NOT sharing details or feeding rumors and allow the announcement to be made to the family as it should?Thanks.
• There will be worship on Sunday, so please come prepared to give God the honor and worship that He deserves. It's not about us, it's about Jesus.
• For those who can't make it, I'll post here Sunday afternoon, but if you can make it, MAKE IT A PRIORITY!!

Thanks, and I'll see you Sunday!

Breaking The Silence

Okay, I'm back! After an out of town wedding and a couple other trips out of state, I am back to business here at Roof Crashers. There are big things brewing, but I'll get that to you in another post. In the meantime, let me update you on some wins:

• January saw 6 baptisms at FBC!!! Three were in response to Karl's message on baptism, and then more a few weeks later. So good to see people obeying God's clear call to go public with their faith.
• Two Sunday's ago, we talked about generosity, and I put the challenge out for folks to give an offering that very day so that we could send 10% to Haiti to help out after the earthquake. We ended up sending $1000.00!! Sure, we rounded up on the 10%, but I don't think that's going to get us in trouble with God. :)
• Financially, the church is back in the black, and giving is coming up! Keep praying, we want to continue to follow God on the path to His vision for our church, and the generosity of His people is a big part of how we get there.
• One of the baptisms this past month was of a student from the student ministry. The extra cool part: she was led to Christ by one of her friends from here at FBC. Yes, teens leading teens to Jesus. How great is that!?!

We're staying in the Signs of Life series until the end of February, so keep praying and keep inviting your friends to hear about what happens when God's life begins to flow out of our lives.

More later, just getting warmed up!