the time has come . . .
Ecclesiastes 3:1 states: “For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven.” The time has come for me to announce that I will retire from my position as pastor at Mountain View Fellowship, effective December 31, 2020. This decision was not made hastily but has involved a long process of thought and prayer.
There are several reasons for my decision that this is the right time and season. For one, I will turn 72 years old on December 13, certainly old enough for retirement. Also, at the end of December, I will have completed twenty years as pastor of Mountain View Fellowship. I began on January 1, 2001 at a time when our very young church, meeting in the McGaheysville Town hall, was ready to call a pastor and begin Sunday morning worship services.
Another factor in my timing is that we finished paying our bank mortgage on the church building at the end of last year leaving our church on a sound financial foundation. We also have a solid foundation of leadership at all levels including our Leadership Team, Deacons, and children’s and youth ministries. Mountain View Fellowship is well equipped to move forward into the future to which God is calling you. Thus, it seems like an appropriate time for a transition for myself as well as our church.
I have been a pastor in Shenandoah District for more than 43 years. I believe this is the right time for me to step back and let others assume the pastoral role. I will still be involved in ministry at the district level as chair of the District Leadership Team and am open to how God may use me in the future.
My intention to retire has been shared with our Leadership Team and with our District Executive Minister, John Jantzi. John will be guiding our church through the process of discussing next steps including calling an interim pastor.
During the next four months through December I hope we can take opportunities to reflect on our time together. I want to be open to sharing memories and expressing appreciation for our friendship as well as addressing your questions and fears along with your hopes and dreams for the future. I recognize that person-to-person contact is more difficult in this time of COVID-19, but I’m sure we can find ways to make that happen.
It has been a highlight of my life to be the church planter and then long-term pastor of Mountain View Fellowship. God has clearly done and continues to do miraculous things here. It is a story that needs to be shared as evidence of God’s direct involvement in the world and in the lives of people. I am so glad that Mona and I and our family have had the privilege of being a part of it. I thank each of you for your love and gracious acceptance of my ministry. You will be in our hearts and in our prayers always.
Pastor Wayne
There are several reasons for my decision that this is the right time and season. For one, I will turn 72 years old on December 13, certainly old enough for retirement. Also, at the end of December, I will have completed twenty years as pastor of Mountain View Fellowship. I began on January 1, 2001 at a time when our very young church, meeting in the McGaheysville Town hall, was ready to call a pastor and begin Sunday morning worship services.
Another factor in my timing is that we finished paying our bank mortgage on the church building at the end of last year leaving our church on a sound financial foundation. We also have a solid foundation of leadership at all levels including our Leadership Team, Deacons, and children’s and youth ministries. Mountain View Fellowship is well equipped to move forward into the future to which God is calling you. Thus, it seems like an appropriate time for a transition for myself as well as our church.
I have been a pastor in Shenandoah District for more than 43 years. I believe this is the right time for me to step back and let others assume the pastoral role. I will still be involved in ministry at the district level as chair of the District Leadership Team and am open to how God may use me in the future.
My intention to retire has been shared with our Leadership Team and with our District Executive Minister, John Jantzi. John will be guiding our church through the process of discussing next steps including calling an interim pastor.
During the next four months through December I hope we can take opportunities to reflect on our time together. I want to be open to sharing memories and expressing appreciation for our friendship as well as addressing your questions and fears along with your hopes and dreams for the future. I recognize that person-to-person contact is more difficult in this time of COVID-19, but I’m sure we can find ways to make that happen.
It has been a highlight of my life to be the church planter and then long-term pastor of Mountain View Fellowship. God has clearly done and continues to do miraculous things here. It is a story that needs to be shared as evidence of God’s direct involvement in the world and in the lives of people. I am so glad that Mona and I and our family have had the privilege of being a part of it. I thank each of you for your love and gracious acceptance of my ministry. You will be in our hearts and in our prayers always.
Pastor Wayne