60 days is the usual period of notice a pastor is expected to give in the FM church. This is a good thing for both parties. It helps the church get ready for some of the changes - and also gives the pastor a little time and space to prepare for a move and to begin the search for employment.
I have been enjoying the many conversations with other pastors and congregations over the last few weeks regarding the different possibilities.
Angela and I both still feel like we have an open mind about the options in front of us. However, it still feels like there's still some distance to cover before we are closer to making a decision. By distance, I mean - something needs to happen to us. We need to take some more steps in a few different directions before we can get our head around what all ministry would mean and look like in the different contexts.
Circumstances like this aren't always easy to come upon. Times where we are challenged beyond our own natural means as we let go of certain securities and walk ahead without a perfect itinerary and even a destination.
I am deciding that somehow I would like to build these kind of encounters into my life even when there is the perceived sense of stability and certainty. To perhaps continue setting personal goals that are consistently beyond the natural - to faithfully imagine greater things - to step out more often into make-or-break situations. To risk more often - to quit including the 'fear of failure' as a part of my decision making process.
In conversation with Angela I told her that the next decision wouldn't be made out of fear or comfort.
Fear of the unknown, fear of finances, fear of failure, fear of change
Comfort as in cushy job, good paycheck, familiar surroundings, close to 'home'
Instead it will be considering the challenge set in front of us and faithfully, obediently following the direction God leads.
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