I was deeply touched by the expressions of love and disappointment that Marge and I received when it was announced that our appointment here will end on June 30. My heart was warmed by what so many of you (and even others outside this congregation) said.
While moved by your reactions, I was not surprised by the love behind them. After all, we felt your love when we arrived in 2007 and have continued to feel it for the nearly eight years since then. Your love is why we have so enjoyed our time in Potsdam and why our time with you has been such an enriching time of our lives. It is also why it is so difficult for us to leave.
I was, however, taken aback by the number of you who told me that the lack of growth over the past few years was simply a matter of "the times," something that all churches are experiencing.
I know that those expressions were meant to be comforting and reassuring. And I have to admit that a part of me found them to be.
I know that for a number of years, church attendance has declined - not just in the North Country, but throughout the United States. This is especially true in the mainline denominations like United Methodism. There are a number of factors that have contributed to this.
But throughout my first sixteen years as a pastor, the churches I served consistently grew - some of them dramatically. So I know that despite those factors churches can and must grow.
Therefore, I have to disagree with those of you who told me that it is just "the times." In fact, I refuse to accept that.
Christ has been here with us the last few years, just as he was during the excitement and growth of the first half of our ministry together. I believe that nothing is impossible with him, and as such am convinced that while "the times" may present us with challenges, we can, we will, and we must adjust to, and overcome, those challenges.
To do so requires us to explore what adjustments need to be made. As Marge and I prayed over the last year, we reluctantly came to the conclusion that we had fulfilled the reasons for our call here and that to meet the present needs of this congregation's faith and service journey, a change in leadership was required. That is why we suggested to Bishop Webb that he consider moving us and appointing a new pastor here.
The Bishop took our suggestion and in sending us to the "Far West," cleared the way for new pastoral leadership to lead you forward. And then he arranged to send you a new pastor.
Although I do not know her well, it appears to me that the Rev. Brooke Newell was a marvelous choice. She has nearly every characteristic that I would have required, had I been charged to draw up an ideal successor. I am excited by what I believe she will bring to this congregation, and pray that you welcome her not only with open arms, but with open hearts and open minds as well.
To embrace her leadership, any of you who believe that "the times" will make success unlikely, impossible, or even not worth trying, must give up that kind of thinking. If you do not, it will present you with a significant obstacle to the very progress that you and I want and - in my case, expect - to happen.
Envision this: It is Judgment Day, and you stand before Christ and try to tell him that "the times" had made his work impossible. Kind of scary, isn't it?
Jim