Two weeks ago, Kim and I announced that we were seeking a new appointment in the coming conference year and that we would be leaving Robinson near the end of June.
Since this announcement, I have received one question countless times; “Why?”
I had a conversation with one member and explained that we were not leaving because of disappointment or conflict. I told this person that this has been a decision weighing on our hearts for a year – one we have been praying for months. They asked me, “Does the church want you to leave?” I responded, “No, I don’t think so.” Then they asked, “So, the conference is wanting you to leave?” And I told them, “No, in fact it would be less work for the conference if we were to remain in Robinson.”
“So”, they asked, “why are we leaving?” My response was simple, “Faith!”
James 2:14, 17; What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
Kim and I believe that God is calling us to go. We do not know where He is calling us to go to, but we believe that He is calling us to go in obedience to Him.
Kim and I believe that God is calling us to go. And so we go, faithful that God is leading us.
Hebrews 11:1-2, 6, 8; Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.
Kim and I believe that our going is an act of faith. And there are costs involved in ever act of faith. Our going means that we are leaving Robinson – and our friends and church family hear in Robinson.
James 2:23-24; And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.
We are not leaving because we don’t love you. We are leaving – oddly enough – because we love you! We are leaving because we want you to know that this is what faith accompanied by action looks like – that this is what faith – lived out – looks like.
So, let me leave you with a question for you to consider; “Are you living your faith out? When it’s difficult? When it’s painful?
Thank you for post this explanation. I had heard things, I almost stopped by last week to talk you out of going. But with this I can only ask God's blessing on your new assignment and up on the church and the new pastor. I truly understand your position. Again God Bless. Thank you for being pastor to my children and grandchildren. They have grown so much under your ministry. Dave
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