The phrase “goodbye” is a contraction of the old blessing, “God be with you.” Though it comes from the English tradition, many other languages and cultures have similar phrases. While I understand and appreciate the value of a proper “goodbye,” I have to confess that I always find them difficult. As I keep saying, when we came to Bethany 22 years ago, we never imagined that we would be here more than 8-10 years. Over half of my ordained ministry has taken place in the Bethany community. For a United Methodist pastor, that is simply staggering.
There is a story that John Wesley instructed his pastors to “Always be ready to preach, pray, die, or move at a moment’s notice.” (From my reading, I believe someone took some privilege with the teaching of an African missionary and adapted it to fit our Methodist culture.) However, it does remind us that Methodist pastors are “itinerant” and always on call to move, among other things. With Wesley, we understand that “the world is my parish.” And as we leave a place, we know that we need to leave well and not interfere in the ministry of whomever follows. That courtesy has always been extended to me and I have always honored that for others.
As I leave Bethany, it is important to me, to Bethany, and to Christ’s ministry that you no longer look to me as your pastor, but look to Rev. Stella Burkhalter and Rev. Don McAvoy as your pastors. At some point in the not-too-distant future, the Bishop will also appoint another to serve Bethany. As of January 1st, 2024, I will no longer be a pastor for the Bethany community. That does not mean that I do not love and care about you. It does mean that I will respect the authority of the pastors whom God has placed in leadership at Bethany. Should you need pastoral support in any way, please reach out to Rev. Burkhalter or Rev. McAvoy.
If that sounds challenging to you, it also sounds that way to me. After 22 years, it is a big change for all of us! However, I have absolute confidence in Rev. Burkhalter and Rev. McAvoy. Cindi and I plan to remain in our Cedar Park home for the foreseeable future - which means we will probably see you in various places. And we will be glad to see you as our brothers and sisters in Christ. We will still love you and we will still pray for you.
We plan to spend more time with our family and with each other. It is hard to overstate the number of times that the demands of ministry have required my absence from my family during holidays or other special times. I will continue to serve with various ministries, including our friends in El Salvador. I will be offering to do some “supply” ministry for other pastors who may be on vacation or become ill. I have been asked to do some mentoring with younger pastors in the area. But there are also a number of personal projects that I hope to spend more time on. And there are grandchildren to spoil!
Thank you so much for the many, many blessings you have shared with me and with my family. We never imagined how blessed we would be when we came to Bethany. We go forth with hearts full of gratitude for each of you. We are expectantly watching to see what God will do next in our lives and in Bethany. God has always been moving powerfully in Bethany. So, I do not say, “Goodbye.” I say, “God will be with you.”
Be Blessed,
Tom
