February 1st of this year I
showed up in Burlington, Iowa, and we said hello to each other. I was excited,
overwhelmed and wondering exactly how it is that someone does this interim
minister thing. Your preparations for my coming and your warm welcome just blew
me away. I knew immediately that God had called me to be a part of an awesome
church.
Since I knew that my stay would be short,
especially compared to the past twenty (20) years spent at one church in
Harrison, Ohio, I did not see much wisdom in forming close relationships. I
think that decision got me labeled early in my ministry with you as unfriendly.
I guess I was just trying to save myself some pain when it came time for our
parting.
My first challenge was learning names. I
was telling someone this week that just about the time I am leaving I am just
starting to connect some names and faces. My past experience had been coming to
a small church and easily learning the names of the few people there and then
adding people to the church. That way it was easy to learn who the people were
because they came in one at a time. When I came here, I walked into a church of
around 400 and thought, “No way am I going to figure out who all these people
are.” Thanks to all of you who told me your name every time I greeted you until
I said your name first. (Thanks “Janet from Hy-Vee.” You know who you are.)
Staff meetings took an interesting turn
when I would ask them to help me figure out who someone was. I would ask, “Who
is Frank Smith?” And off they would go; talking among themselves. “Frank used
to drive that beautiful ’57 Chevy.” “Wasn’t his first wife named Matilda? Or was
her name Madelyn?” “He had gall bladder surgery last year, didn’t he?” “No that
was his brother Fred.” “He’s not on the Board anymore, is he?” “Come to think
of it, I don’t think I’ve seen him in worship lately.” It was fascinating to
watch it happen and the information was interesting. It wasn’t the least bit
helpful; but it was interesting. I really didn’t need his marital or health
history. I just needed to connect a name and a face.
The staff wasn’t all that helpful and I
didn’t learn to connect nearly as many names and faces as I would have liked
to. And frankly, I may not remember your names, but I will never forget you.
Knowing you has enriched my life.
My task as the Interim Pastor was not to
make you like me; my task was to help the church do the things and make the changes
needed to prepare to move forward as seamlessly as possible when the new Senior
Pastor shows up. I was given the job of making some of the unpopular decisions
that needed to be made so that the new pastor doesn’t have to. And I did. One
way to see if my interim time with you was successful would be, what I call,
the two parade system. That is, I would have done my job if one day you rode me
out of town on a rail and the next day welcomed the new pastor with a parade. The
great thing about this church is that you allowed me to do my work and most of
you chose to like me anyway. Thanks.
So, here we are saying goodbye. I am so
thankful to God for giving me the opportunity to share life with you here at
FCC Burlington. As I have said many times, this is a good church on the verge
of becoming a great church. It has been an awesome experience to work with such
a talented and hardworking staff that is also so easy, accommodating and just
plain fun to work with. There are few churches gifted with such a great staff.
As I head back to Ohio with the possibility of starting a new church I would be
thrilled to have any part of or all of this staff come and work with me. They
are a treasure. Hang on to them.
Finally I want to encourage you to greet
Pastor Yonker and his family as warmly as you welcomed me. They are new in
town. Show them around. Invite them to your homes. Make room for them in your
busy lives. And, most of all, allow Pastor Dave to lead you forward. He is a
sharp guy who brings a lot to the table. Give him the opportunity to introduce
some new ideas and methods. Understand that his only motive is to help this
church become all that God desires for it to become. He is excited about coming
to Burlington and serving as your Senior Pastor. I
believe you should be excited that God has sent him to you.
I expect to hear good things about First
Christian Church of Burlington. Please know that you are in my heart and in my
prayers.
Copyright © 2012, William T. McConnell, All
Rights Reserved
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