September 17, 2007

endings...or the beginning of one

It is not from ourselves that we learn to be better than we are.
- Wendell Berry

Last night at a special congregational meeting of the Church of Jesus Christ, Reconciler I announced my resignation effective the Sunday before Thanksgiving. There were 22 people at the meeting. There were 27 people at worship. That's perhaps the largest number of folk that have every come to worship except for one or two services at the very beginning. An auspicious number for me, 27.

I am still sad. I imagine I will be for a while. We have a lot of work to do to make the leaving as intentional and beneficial as possible. There is a lot to think about during a time like this in the life of a congregation. And there's no point in waiting to think and pray and to come together and discern what God has in store for this group.

I am still in a bit of shock even though I'm the one who made the announcement.

We have a council meeting on Thursday night. I'll turn in my official letter then. I am sure that there will be more questions and thinking. I hope there will be.

It has been such an honor to witness the beginning of this ministry. It has been my honor to watch these people turn our gathering into a congregation when we simply began an experiment.

We have several weeks to work out the details and by then we'll be ready (more than ready?) for me to leave. For now, would you all be so kind as to keep me and the congregation in your prayers? The church is in good hands. The pastoral team is ready. The lay leadership is ready. God is with us. But I need your prayers.

Thanks.

Posted by tripp at September 17, 2007 06:53 AM
Comments

I am glad you made this decision, Tripp. Working too much —for pay, around the house, volunteering— can be one of the biggest traps we fall into.

I'm sure I echo everyone's sentiment when I say that we all want to do whatever we can to make this happen as smoothly as it can.

Posted by: Jorge Sanchez at September 17, 2007 07:26 AM

I'm sorry to hear about your resignation, Tripp. But it sounds like you have good reasons. I hope your leaving and transitioning are blessed.

Posted by: Heidi at September 17, 2007 08:27 AM

Praying.

For peace and the grace to let go of things as they surface.

For you and for this church I've come to love from afar.

Posted by: Andrea at September 17, 2007 08:33 AM

Blessings, my friend. Saying goodbye is always so hard - sometimes more so when it's the better thing to do.

Posted by: Scott at September 17, 2007 09:05 AM

Wow.

I understand - doing the right thing can hurt like hell.

Posted by: The young fogey at September 17, 2007 10:17 AM

Prayers indeed.

Posted by: Mark J. at September 17, 2007 11:42 AM

Of course. Was the choice to resign from Reconciler's staff mainly based on the demands of your CCW job?

Posted by: Megan at September 17, 2007 12:00 PM

Thank you all.

Megan,

Yeah. That's the easiest summary. I know all these people who seem to manage two full-time jobs at once. I tried a full-time job (CCW) and a part-time job...It seems I have limits after all.

The leaving is going to be so difficult, but it is exactly the right thing to do at this time. The congregation and I are in agreement. And that feels very good.

Posted by: Tripp at September 17, 2007 12:54 PM

Hey Tripp,

I'm sorry to hear about your resignation, too, but I totally understand. In fact, I feel a bit relieved on your behalf because I know how overextended you've felt, especially recently. You have my prayers throughout this transition.

Love,
Emily

Posted by: Emily at September 17, 2007 05:43 PM

I hear you, brother. You're in our prayers -- grace and peace be with you.

Posted by: AKMA at September 17, 2007 06:57 PM

Wow, really, 27 at worship and 22 stayed for the meeting?!! and I was out of town! That is very cool.

As I have said in person, I saw this as an eventuality just hoped it wouldn't be this soon. But as everyone else is saying, it is the right thing. It has been a joy planting Reconciler with you. I will miss pastoring a church with you. I am sad to see you go.

And I will reiterate the request for prayers on behalf of Tripp and us at Reconciler. Somehow Reconciler always seems to be in transition: this is a good thing I think but also has its obvious stresses.

Posted by: Larry at September 18, 2007 10:17 AM

I still can't get over 27 at worship and 22 for the congregational meeting. and here Kate and I were out in LA telling people we had a congregation of 10. Where did the other 12 come from?!

What did I miss in 10 days? ;-]

Posted by: Larry at September 18, 2007 10:21 AM

They have been waiting for me to leave, of course!

Posted by: Tripp at September 18, 2007 10:24 AM
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