Welcome to the very first post at jxgomez.com–check back often for my thoughts on life, God, ministry, and to keep track of the interesting ‘next steps’ my wife and I may be taking. The posts preceeding this one are all from jxgomez.wordpress.com, which served very briefly as my pastoral blog for Carlisle Wesleyan Church in Carlisle, PA.
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Welcome to Monday evening, Carlisle Wesleyan (and other friends)–
Those of you from CWC already know that a week ago, during our local church conference, I resigned as pastor at Carlisle Wesleyan. This week’s Pastor’s Posting will try to answer some of the questions you may have in all of this. The idea here is to help foster dialogue and discussion, so feel free to CONTACT ME — again, it’s worth the reminder that your comments here will be visible to everyone, so you may wish to e-mail or call me directly using the link just given. Before going any further it may be best for you to start by accessing a copy of my letter of resignation as a PDF file here: Resignation Letter.
Now, for some of your questions:
WHEN is your resignation effective?
Let me say, first of all, that both Sarah and I are committed to ‘finishing well.’ We promise to ‘be present’ as long as we’re your pastoral family–that means no checking out or hoping just to coast by until we exit. My role from here on out will be different than in the past as my focus won’t be much on long-term future and goals for CWC, but helping to prepare for and enable transition.
Our ‘”exit date” is to be determined by the District Superintendent and our Local Board of Administration. The Discipline, which is our denomination’s book of polity and procedure, uses a sixty-day time frame for the effective date of a resignation or the natural time of pastoral transition following the annual District Conference. So, look for our last official Sunday at CWC to be around either the last week of June or first week of July– but that’s an unofficial estimate on my part. I hope to know more about this soon–and when I know, you’ll know.
WHY are you leaving?
Take a look at the resignation letter–everything is summed up pretty well there. If you’d like more insight or discussion, feel free to contact and/or meet with me.
WHERE are you going?
Short answer: We have no idea.
Longer answer: My resignation wasn’t given because we have ‘someplace better’ to go to. It’s really a step of faith for Sarah and I–we felt very clearly that our time here was done and it would have been disobedient for us to remain in service at Carlisle Wesleyan. Our experience on this end has been described as “jumping off a cliff:” it’s exciting when it isn’t terrifying.
WHAT is CWC’s ‘next step?’
Our District Superintendent, Randy Swink, will be meeting with the church’s local leaders (Deemer Morrow, Denver Tuckey, and Kenn Tuckey) at the end of this month to work through some of those next steps. Part of this process will inevitably involve identifying the type of pastoral candidate needed by the church inluding the kind of person who will most fit the temperment, focus, and desire of CWC. This also involves getting an accurate picture of where Carlisle Wesleyan currently is in her journey.
The possibilities and intricacies of what Carlisle Wesleyan’s “next steps” could look like are virtually endless. The two best things you can be doing right now are: 1) praying for everyone to heed the leading of God’s Spirit throughout the process, and, 2) communicating openly and honestly with those in leadership regarding what you sense is needed. I know our leaders: they want to make sure your voice is heard and understood.
As we intercede for you, I ask that you please pray for Sarah and me–this is not an easy transition for any of us and this is a prime opportunity for each of us to be found supporting one another in focused prayer.
Be sure to let me know how you’re doing.
Loving…Learning…Living…,
Pastor Jeremiah
The anti-government protests have apparently come to an end; you can learn more by CLICKING HERE. Thanks for praying for the situation and the Blaikies!
Good Monday morning, Carlisle Wesleyan!
If you’re reading this, then you have found your way to the new home of Pastor’s Postings and other random thoughts I may feel like sharing from time-to-time :-). Your feedback is always welcomed; you can send me an e-mail or use the ‘comment’ form at the bottom of each post. Just remember that comments posted here are public–I won’t be the only one seeing them.
Did You Know…
…stress is linked as a major contributing factor to heart disease, cancer, lung ailments, accidents, cirrhosis of the liver, and suicide (Church Leaders Intelligence Report, 04.01.09)? There’s no doubt that we live in very stressful times, but how we manage the stress in our lives is incredibly important. If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, your mind, body, and very life are no longer your own, so we must be found in proper stewardship (management) of ourselves. This coming Sunday, we will be celebrating the incredible truth of Christ’s resurrection–how can you manage the stress in your life with the awareness of new life, new hope, and a new Kingdom that Christ brings? Remember, the new life he promised and won for us isn’t just ‘eternal reward’ but a here-and-now victory and fullness of vitality, purpose, and hope.
Easter Sunday…
…is this Sunday! This is the Day of days in the Church, when we celebrate the hope that is ours because OUR KING LIVES! Words cannot express how incredible this truth is. He is risen!
Who are you going to invite to join us in celebration this Sunday?
We’ve just finished the Famous ‘Last’ Words message series (available HERE) and on Sunday we’re beginning a new series on Jesus’ words to us after his powerful, earth-changing, paradigm-altering resurrection from the dead. You won’t want to miss our discussion of the Resurrection this weekend and the powerful truth that “Everything’s Gonna Be Okay.”
You Might Want to Know…
…Our Local Church Conference is scheduled for Sunday, May 3rd at 4:00PM. Following our business session, we’ll be sharing in a meal and fellowship with each other, all in celebration of what God has done and anticipation of what he will be doing in the year ahead. You heard it here first!
…Denver Tuckey will be launching a new Sunday Morning Learning Group next Sunday, and those participating will be learning what it is and how to be a man or woman after God’s very own heart.
…Sarah Gómez will be leading a six-week Learning Group for ladies beginning next Tuesday (April 14th) at our house. If you’re interested in joining the You Matter More Than You Think discussion and haven’t already told Sarah, be sure to connect with her this week.
…I’m still the Roaming Rev. most Tuesday afternoons and Wednesday mornings. You’ll find me this Tuesday at Casa Mani downtown (corner of High and Pitt Streets) and on Wednesday at Carlisle Coffee in the Nell’s shopping center on Walnut Bottom Road. Come on in, sit down for awhile, and we’ll enjoy some time together!
…the current quarter of our denominational magazine, Wesleyan Life, is now available. Be sure to pick yours up this weekend!
A Special Thank You…
…is extended to Rev. Israel Cohen and Chosen People Ministries for the special Passover presentation made here last evening, as well as to each of you who made the special trip out for an extra gathering. I trust you were affirmed in your faith that Jesus is everything he said he is. I am in awe of God’s incredible grace as well as the fact his redemptive story has been told and unfolding since the very Beginning.
EASTER IS COMING! Heaven has drawn near, death has been defeated, sin has lost its hold, Hell has been conquered, we are able to be called ‘sons and daughters of the Living God’ because our King lives! May you come to know and experience the power of the Risen One this week. I’m praying for you.
Loving…Learning…Living…,
Pastor Jeremiah
