This is my last newsletter column at Lowman UMC. I want to express my love and gratitude to all of you (especially to the Lowman staff) for the eight years I have been privileged to minister here with you. I was hoping to serve longer, but that decision was not made by either Lowman UMC or by me.

 

As I try to discern God's will in this situation, I am certain that it is still God's plan that Lowman will reverse the decades of decline and begin a revitalized life as a growing congregation--growing in attendance, in finances, in vital mission and ministry, and in deeper faith and love for God and one another. Those goals will continue with new pastoral leadership.

 

I remember a quote from a Confederate medical officer after the Civil War: "We did not do the best we would have done, but the best we could have done." I appreciate the "grace" stated in that quotation and recognize that our intentions will almost always exceed our actions. However, I'm still disappointed that things didn't turn out differently. As pastor and congregation, we could have done better.

 

I can think of lots of "woulda-coulda-shoulda's" (as we used to say on the volunteer fire department,) things I wish the congregation had done better and things I wish I had done better, also. I won't go into any details, but I will say I hope that during my time at Lowman I have learned how to be a better pastor and a better disciple of Jesus Christ. I plan to put those learnings into practice at my new appointment.

 

And I hope that you, the congregation, have also learned how to be better laity and better disciples of Jesus Christ. You will have the opportunity to do greater things with your new pastor. Just remember my consistent theme--"The work of the church is done by the laity, not the staff. The pastor and staff are here to help YOU do God's work, not the other way around."

 

And remember that Jesus has promised "I will be with you always." His presence, power and love will enable the transition of pastors to be productive. The Holy Spirit will empower us all as we go forward in ministry and discipleship. And the Church--the Body of Christ--will continue to "grow up in every way in Christ, who is the head. Under his control all the different parts of the body fit together, and the whole body is held together by every joint with which it is provided. So when each separate part works as it should, the whole body grows and builds itself up through love." (Ephesians 4:15-16.)

 

Thanks again for our eight years together, and thanks be to God.

 

Grace and Peace,
Dan Waters