Celebrating Abundance

John 10:10; Ecclesiastes 3:1

If you’ve heard me say one thing repeatedly over the years, I hope it’s been that we are called to live in the midst of God’s abundance. Jesus came so that we can have life, and have it abundantly. There are so many realizations of God’s abundance in our lives.

Me and my family have known that abundance here in so many ways. Diane and I began our married life here and have been able to draw from many examples of married life that you provided. We experienced our first hurricane here in 1996. While that may not appear to be an experience of abundance, the response of people helping one another left so many awash in the riches of this community. I have learned to appreciate, and even love, the abundance of trees that grow here. That’s saying something for a Midwesterner who is used to an environment where the only tree may be a telephone pole. There is nothing like a walk in the North Carolina woods during autumn. I have come to know the abundance that is barbeque. Many claim to claim to produce the best, but I have tasted none better than comes from right here in Orange Grove.

I have also known the abundance that comes from being your pastor. You have taught me much about leadership, faithfulness, and the ministry of presence – just being available in moments of need. This is abundant living here in Orange Grove.

I have always believed that every ministry goes through a life cycle. There’s a Spring season when everything is new and fresh. There’s the Summer season when the fruit of one’s labor and the blessings of God are experienced. There’s the Fall when one can see the beautiful colors that the Summer season has produced. And then there’s the Winter season when it’s time to stop and prepare for the new growth that is to come. Each of these seasons has their own value and richness. The words in Ecclesiastes are often used in various settings, and today they have offered me legs to stand on.

I have often, over the years, tried to evaluate which season my service here at Cane Creek is in. Since I’ve been here for thirteen years, I’m not really fresh and new, though I’ve tried to keep things fresh. So I don’t think the season is Spring. The season could be Summer when we experience the fruit of our labor and the blessings of God. There has certainly been some of that.

But what has seemed most fitting to me is that my ministry here is in its Fall season. Most of you know that I love Fall. As I stand here today, I see the beauty of years of working together. I see a church that has transitioned and continued to evolve as we have sought to follow the Spirit’s leading. I see people who have grown and matured as Christians. I look back on experiences that have challenged us and galvanized our faith together. But just as the calendar seasons change, so does leadership. Today we have voted in new committees, deacons, and leaders. But also today, I am resigning my service here at Cane Creek, effective October 31^st, after what I feel have been thirteen wonderful years.

In my early years here, people would often ask, “So how long do you think you’ll stay?” I don’t know what was totally behind that question but part of it, I think, has been a mindset among many that Cane Creek wasn’t a great enough place to serve for a long period of time. During the last eight years or so, I stopped getting that question. Hopefully one of the things God has chased away from this congregation through my time here is the mindset that this is a stopping point for pastors on the way to a better place of service. Nothing could be farther from the truth.

Diane, Ainslee, Eli, and I are moving to Rapid City, South Dakota, at the foot of Mount Rushmore where I’ll begin serving as the pastor of First Baptist Church. It’s not a better church. It’s simply a different church with its own set of strengths and struggles.

A good friend of mine, whom I’ve been talking with over the last couple of months, said to me, “It would be a homecoming of sorts for you wouldn’t it?” I thought about his question and the only reply that seems to fit is, “No, it will be more like leaving home that coming home.” Diane and I both feel this place is as much home as anywhere we have lived. This is the only home we’ve known together as a married couple and the only home our children have known. Yet, we both feel the timing is right for us move on. It’s been an excruciating decision, and one in which we’re trying to be faithful.

At the beginning of this year, I put before you a theme verse from Isaiah: If you do not stand firm in faith, you shall not stand at all. There have been many unanticipated ways this year in which I’ve been called to stand firm in faith. And at the beginning of the year, moving didn’t seem to be close to the horizon. I’m sure that many of you have had some surprises along the way too. Now once again we must all muster up the courage to say together, “If you do not stand firm in faith, you shall not stand at all.” Say it with me.

Most of you also know that I love winter and at the end of October, winter will arrive a little earlier than normal for me. This is a winter I’m not looking forward to because for me it will be very cold and lonely. I will miss you deeply. But for you, I’m praying that your winter season will be a time of preparation for new life and growth. Over the years we have planted a fair number of roses in the parsonage yard. Those roses have brought me great joy. I hope that when we’re gone, you’ll take care of those roses, but more importantly I pray that you’ll nurture the garden of your souls. That will bring me even greater joy.

The conclusion of our service today marks a new beginning. As we gather around the Lord’s Table, let us celebrate God’s abundance through Jesus Christ, but also the seasons we have shared together, and the seasons we are entering.

Amen.