Faith Moments

Whenever I leave the staff of a church, I have developed a ritual of leaving. In my closing days at each church, I walk around the buildings. I walk into the rooms, picture the people that I got to know and love, say a short prayer, soak in the beauty of the room, treasure the memories, and say goodbye to each room.

When I assist in my final services at each appointment, I soak in the beauty of each place of worship - the Sanctuary, the Chapel, and the Family life Center. I treasure the people, the music in songs, hymns, and anthems. I remember events in each - Easter, Christmas Eve, weddings, funerals and celebration of life services.

I take my final lunchtime walk around the paths and the buildings and areas of the church buildings. I soak in the beauty of the church property, and remember special events that we had outside.

On my final day at the church after the last box is packed and placed in my car or SUV, I go around the church once more and say goodbye to the staff. I turn in my keys, look back with an extremely grateful heart, and leave the building after having completed that particular tenure of ministry there. Local church ministry is indeed a love that never lets me go.

January 23, 2020 was my final work day at Fort Smith First UMC. The weather that day was a semi cold, wet and dreary one. When I was leaving the building and heading to the parking lot for the last time, I noticed something. The skies were blue and the sun was brightly shining.

God is lighting the way to my next Big Ministry Adventure!