Now is Not Forever
Now is not forever!
I didn’t see it coming. A few weeks ago, my successor, Shan Moyers shared the stunning news. I was surprised by his emotion as he awkwardly and repeatedly affirmed his love for me over his uneaten burrito. When he finally told me of his plan to transition from his role as lead pastor with our church and accept another position in Arizona, I was forced to quit eating as well.
Some news is hard to quickly digest. While I honestly didn’t see this coming, I immediately expressed my personal support for Shan. The only thing I remember saying were the five words, “How can I help you?”
Shan and I have had a remarkable partnership. In fact, over the last eleven years there is no younger leader I have invested in more than him. We have shared countless meals and conversations with never any tension or misunderstanding, never with any self-promotion or self-protection.
We have been in a healthy competition of sorts. As the Apostle Paul said, “Love one with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.” Romans 12:10.
It was always my desire to bless the socks off my successor; however, I’m not so sure but that he has not blessed me even more. I have been the on-going recipient of his trust and confidence. Now, he is even serving as the chairman of the board of directors of the Covenant Connections ministry I lead nationally, and he is also leading one of the covenant groups as well.
So, while I’m sad to see him go, I’m celebrating in the way he is doing it. Shan did an exceptional job of sharing his heartfelt transition announcement last Sunday. Clearly, he is fulfilling the words of Isaiah 55:12, “For you shall go out with joy and be led out with peace.”
Our partnership is far from over. I will continue to be for him, and I look forward to being for his successor as well. I have no agenda except to honor Christ and to strengthen the hearts of others who are serving Him, especially those in high stress leadership roles. Leading well is never easy, and no one does it flawlessly nor forever.
I have long said that everyone is in transition. Sooner or later, someone will succeed us all. We all have an expiration date. In chapter 11 of Soul Strength - Rhythms for Thriving, I share the story of a man I baptized who was a former member of the Mafia. He was surprisingly adamant about this topic. Not long before my transition from the role of lead pastor at the age of sixty-five, Jim said, “Even in the Mafia we had to have a succession plan. What’s yours?”
As one chapter closes another begins. What’s next for Shan in Arizona is in God’s hands, and the same is true for the ministry of RMCC. We all have much to celebrate. As someone said last Sunday, “For a church to have had only two pastors in 40 years is really a remarkable thing to celebrate.” Yes, it is. Let us all look forward to what God has in store. As Chuck Swindoll once said, “God is not sometimes sovereign.”
By God’s grace, the best is always yet to be!
Grace and Peace,
Alan
