Saying Good Bye

It's been nearly ten years since our family arrived in Santa Barbara. We came here because I had been called to serve as pastor of the local Disciples church. It was my first call as pastor -- although I'd been ordained for nearly fifteen years. We came to Santa Barbara from Manhattan, KS, where I had served two years as Assoc. Professor of Theology at Manhattan Christian College. That didn't work out so well -- I spent the final year of our three year stay on paid leave (I was considered too liberal by some of the trustees). We arrived in SB full of hope, but also unsure what the future held. Although I had taken a pastorate, my heart still was in academics -- and I think that showed. After 5 and 1/2 years of ministry in SB, I was forced to resign. It's a long story, but suffice it to say that there was a group in the church that forced the issue.

Having left my position in the middle of the school year, we worked out a deal whereby we stayed in the parsonage for free until June -- my severance. That allowed Brett to finish the school year and Cheryl to finish hers. At that point I didn't have any desire to continue pastoring. My heart still lay in teaching -- but nothing emerged. In the end, 4 years ago, I took on two half time jobs. One was serving as coordinator for the ADL's No Place for Hate campaign in Santa Barbara. The other was an interim here in Lompoc. A year later I became Transitional Pastor -- on a 3/4 basis. This allowed us to decide whether we would stay together for the long haul, and let Brett finish high school. As I've shared here before, in the end we decided it was time to move, and so we move a week from Monday.

My time in Lompoc has been a blessing. First, I not only became comfortable with the pastoral ministry, but truly discerned the calling to this work. The wounds that had been inflicted (some self-inflicted) in my previous post healed. Due to these ten years I've not only become a pastor, but a better pastor. The people have been wonderful. One couple has housed me one night a week for four years. They have allowed me to be me, and they've encouraged my gifts. My hope is that I've left them in a better place as well -- they seem to think so.

So, now we begin saying goodbye. Monday evening we had our last Band Booster' meeting -- and we said goodbye to friends we'd made there. Sunday we say goodbye to the Lompoc church. We've taken walks down State Street and onto the Wharf knowing that it could be the last time we take this walk (at least as residents). Indeed, it seems as if we seem to be checking things off. Like today, it will be my last meal at Tom's -- where I've been eating most Wednesday's these past 3 years.

Saying goodbye isn't easy. Even though the future is open and welcoming, We leave behind friends, memories, and in some cases wounds. We are better for having on the journey.

But now it's the goodbyes that keep our attention.

Finally, brothers and sisters, farewell. Put things in order, listen to my appeal, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. Greeet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communioni of the Holy Spirit be with you. (2 Cor. 13:11-13)