By God’s grace I have pastored Our Redeemer Lutheran Church for a short season of life. Today, also by God’s grace, and with the full support of my wife Jen I request peaceful release from my position as pastor from from Our Redeemer. I do so with profound sadness, but also with complete peace.
Over the past year I have battled both depression and anxiety. On March 9th of this year I suffered a major anxiety and depressive event as a result of the caustic and hostile working environment. I announced to our Board I would be unable to continue my full duties as Senior Pastor and be out on disability for an undetermined period of time. While this disability does not disqualify myself from ministry (ORLC Constitution Article VI), it has in fact …show more content…
There are many things I have confessed and repented of, privately and publicly, as some of you know. Specifically, I have confessed to past pride, anger and a domineering spirit. As I shared with many, “God has broken me many times in recent years by showing me where I have fallen short, and while my ministry journey is far from over, I believe He has brought me a long way from some days I am not very proud of, and is making me more like Him every day.”
Other issues, such as aspects of my personality and leadership style, have proven to be divisive within Our Redeemer and I do not want to be the source of anything that might detract from our church’s mission to lead people to a personal and growing relationship with Jesus Christ. Unity within the body of Jesus followers is paramount as Scripture teaches us (Psalm 133:1; Ephesians 4:1-3; Colossians 3:14).
That is why, after seeking the will of God, and seeking Godly counsel from men and women across the country, we have concluded it would be best for the health of our family, and for Our Redeemer’s family, that we step aside from further ministry at the church. I will gladly work with you in the coming days on any details related to our
Over the past year I have battled both depression and anxiety. On March 9th of this year I suffered a major anxiety and depressive event as a result of the caustic and hostile working environment. I announced to our Board I would be unable to continue my full duties as Senior Pastor and be out on disability for an undetermined period of time. While this disability does not disqualify myself from ministry (ORLC Constitution Article VI), it has in fact …show more content…
There are many things I have confessed and repented of, privately and publicly, as some of you know. Specifically, I have confessed to past pride, anger and a domineering spirit. As I shared with many, “God has broken me many times in recent years by showing me where I have fallen short, and while my ministry journey is far from over, I believe He has brought me a long way from some days I am not very proud of, and is making me more like Him every day.”
Other issues, such as aspects of my personality and leadership style, have proven to be divisive within Our Redeemer and I do not want to be the source of anything that might detract from our church’s mission to lead people to a personal and growing relationship with Jesus Christ. Unity within the body of Jesus followers is paramount as Scripture teaches us (Psalm 133:1; Ephesians 4:1-3; Colossians 3:14).
That is why, after seeking the will of God, and seeking Godly counsel from men and women across the country, we have concluded it would be best for the health of our family, and for Our Redeemer’s family, that we step aside from further ministry at the church. I will gladly work with you in the coming days on any details related to our