The Good News | Weekly Devotion
How Long O Lord?
About this time every year, our Bishop publishes the official list of United Methodist pastors who are staying at current churches and those who are moving to new churches. This past Sunday, Dr. Dan Zant, our SPRC Chairperson, announced that I was reappointed to Madison First UMC this year. Rev. Leigh Martin, my wife, will continue in her appointment as the Program Coordinator for the North Georgia Conference’s Center for Clergy Excellence. She will move from part-time status to full-time. Our one-year anniversary here will be this Summer on July 3rd.
Among our 433 UMC North Georgia congregations, there will always be a percentage who are moving. Sometimes pastors move for personal reasons. Sometimes congregations need a new pastor based on the changing needs of the community. Other reasons include pastors losing their credentials, retiring, going on medical leave, or passing away. Our appointment process quickly supplies a pastor with the right gifts and talents to our churches. Personally, I think we get it right more than we get it wrong with our system.
Many times, the defining impression non-UMC people have of UMC pastors is that we move a lot. Madison First UMC is my 7th church appointment in 28 years. My longest tenure was 5.5 years and shortest was 2 years. I never checked the move box on the annual move/stay form. I’ve gone where I was sent to serve, where I’ve been needed.
My pastoral appointments average out to just over 4 years per church. Interestingly, according to the latest data of the bureau of Labor Statistics, the average time a person stays with a company is 4.1 years. However, my last couple of churches were longer appointments than my first couple. I’m still with the same “company” with its many “branch offices”. I don’t think that’s unusual among other denominations. United Methodists are just more public about it.
How long, O Lord, will I be here? Only God knows. I love this church and community and plan on being here as long as I am needed and fruitful. I hope I’m needed a long time!
I often say to new members, “we join a congregation, not a pastor.” Joining a pastor is like joining a cult of personality. Paul said it well, “Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, so no one can say that you were baptized in my name.” (1 Corinthians 1:13-15). It’s not about the messenger. It’s about the message.
Let me ask you, “How long O Lord will you be here?” I hope that it is a long time! I hope that you are fruitful and grow in your faith.
Please be in prayer for all the churches experiencing this season of transition as pastors leave and pastors are received. Our prayers are with all the congregations of North Georgia as they consider their next steps in ministry that makes disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the World.
Peace,
