This year is a time of major transition for myself and my family.  After 17 years serving as the English Pastor at CFC I am going to be moving on to a new ministry.  My wife Joni has been teaching high school science for 9 years and is also ready to try something new.  For a variety of reasons, this seems like the right time for a change. It has been announced at my church and I have told family and a few close friends, but I realized that I should say something here as well.

I have been thinking and praying for several years about a possible change.  My passion and calling has always been in the area of teaching and leadership training.  I have had good opportunities to do that at CFC, but there are many other responsibilities to being a pastor.  I am seeking a ministry opportunity that will allow me to be more focused on what I believe God has called and gifted me to do.

Probably no one is able to serve in the area of their calling and gifting 100% of the time, but if you can reach 70-80% that is very good.  It is really a win-win situation.  Greater joy in ministry, a greater sense of fulfillment, greater effectiveness in ministry and greater impact for God’s kingdom.  I want to be in the right place, doing exactly what God has called me to do.

A Path in the WoodsI’m not really sure what my new ministry will look like.  I am looking into doing some teaching at a seminary or Bible college as well as church based teaching and training opportunities.  I will be available to do training seminars and to advise church leadership teams.  I would like to do some more writing.  It is likely that I will end up doing a variety of things.  The main thing is to sense God’s leading and follow it.  I appreciate your prayers as I look for the way forward.

Later this year we are planning on moving up to the Portland area where both Joni and I have family.  She grew up in Portland and I am from Montana, so we both love the Pacific Northwest.  We will begin our time there with a sabbatical that we both feel is much needed.  We will spend some time resting and seeking God’s direction for the next phase of our lives.  After an initial break I plan to spend some time every day working on finishing my book on English ministry in ethnic immigrant churches. By the end of the year I expect to be moving on to new ministry opportunities, but at this point I don’t know what that will be.  It’s a little like hiking on a path in the woods.  I can see a little way ahead, but beyond that I don’t know where the trail will go.  But wherever the path leads, God is already there.  I’m looking forward to the adventure.

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2 Comments

  1. ken,

    i celebrate God’s faithfulness with you. you’ve been a faithful servant. i pray for God’s peace in your transition, and His voice during your sabbatical, and His leading thereafter. i’ve always been blessed with every conversation we have, or the times we’ve partnered together in ministry.

    peace to you,
    steve

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