Going, But Not Gone

First published in The Daily Sentinel, Friday July 18, 2008


By now, much of Meigs County – at least those who follow the goings-on in our United Methodist Churches – know that my family and I are moving. We left on Tuesday for my new appointment at the Grace United Methodist Church in Perrysburg, Ohio.

Perrysburg is a south-side suburb of Toledo, thus I went from one corner of the state to the other. So far in my six years in Ohio, our family has lived in the Columbus area, Springfield, Troy (near Dayton), and Racine. That’s just about every major section of the West Ohio United Methodist Conference. Yes, Methodists are known for moving their pastors around, but I may be the extreme example of that!

For some people, the idea of moving gives then such a severe case of shudders that they avoid even thinking about it—much less actually doing it! One member of my congregation told me he wasn’t moving until he had to go six-feet underground and the address marker said “Rest in Peace.” Perhaps you feel the same.

I, however, get excited about new places. During the spring of my junior year in high school, Dad had a job offer that would cause our family to move from where we had lived for the past 10 years. My parents called me in for a discussion; they wanted to get my reactions and thoughts about the move before making their final decision. Although it meant spending my senior year in a new high school, I surprised them by saying I was in favor of the move!

Moving gives people a chance to re-introduce themselves, to establish new relationships, and create new impressions of themselves in others. Moving also helps us to learn more things about ourselves that we might not have learned without the stresses of the new places, people and circumstances.

It’s certainly been true for me. After a decade growing up in Canyon, I was deemed unexceptional by my peers. I wasn’t considered one of the most intelligent, most athletic, most musical, most klutzy, most nerdy, most funny — or most of anything. I simply was part of the “furniture.” But after moving to Duncanville, I got a chance to change that reputation (or lack of reputation). I became a lot more visible through my musical abilities, and by the time the “Senior Most’s” voting took place, I was a finalist for “Most musical boy.” That would not have happened in Canyon!

With every move, I also leave a part of myself behind. In Canyon, I left behind my best friend. And even though I haven’t seen him in more than a decade, I still think of him as one of my best friends. Moving from Racine, I will leave behind strong relationships with many friends. During my last Communion service, I called each person by name as they came forward to receive the bread and cup of Christ. Several times, I had to hold back the tears as I said, “Bob, the body of Christ broken or you. Mary Ann, the body of Christ broken for you. Christ’s body broken for you, Roger….”

The poignancy of the moment with each member of our church family is something that I will cherish forever. I am reminded of the words of thanksgiving and praise that the Apostle Paul wrote to the many people in the different churches he helped establish during the first century:

“I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in him you have been enriched in every way—in all your speaking and in all your knowledge—because our testimony about Christ was confirmed in you.”
(1 Corinthians 1:4-6)

“We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you.”
(1 Thessalonians 1:2-4)

“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
(Philippians 1:3-6)

Paul and I have several things in common—our constant moving from place to place as God leads, the joy experienced by getting to know people who love Jesus Christ, opportunities for sharing Jesus’ love with others so that they become part of the family, and trusting that God will continue the good work started even though we are no longer there.

God is present in Meigs County, and that will continue to be true – no matter what pastors may come and go. God has given me the privilege of participating in His work for a season here with you, and I am forever changed by what I have experienced here. Thank you, Racine United Methodist Church, Meigs Cooperative Parish, Southern Equal Opportunity Ministry, River City Players, Southern Local Schools, and too many individuals to list here, for allowing me to be part of your lives—your disappointments and fears, and your hopes and dreams.

Thank you also, Daily Sentinel, for the opportunity to share through this column. It is one of my favorite ministries, and the feedback I have received from across the community has been tremendous. And I am especially thankful that I can continue writing this from my new home and have it appear in the Sentinel in the future! After all, I’m going, but not gone!