Pastoral Transition

It's funny sometimes how a few simple words can change everything. "Effective February 28th, my time as a pastor here at First Baptist will come to a close," these words are the ones that I shared with my congregation this past weekend at the church I've served as pastor of youth and young families for the past three and a half years. Not easy ones to choke out, over a full heart remembering the time spent with so many of the faces that were staring back at me in a level of disbelief and swelling sadness. Words in some regard I never thought I'd have to share.

What came to a culmination this past weekend was a process of more than a year of pushing in to the heart of God and hearing His call on the lives of our family. About this time last year, I sat in a small cabin style building at Three Springs Ministry in Nauvoo, PA with a group of the our Deacons (those tasked with setting the spiritual direction of our church). We were thinking through all that God had called our church to be about and attempting to set the course for not only the next year but even more so for the future Mission and Vision of our fellowship.

As we worked our way through the Mission and Vision statements we came to the topic of Church Planting (something near and dear to my heart). We decided to include it (probably due mostly to my pushing) within our DNA of the church culture. We moved out from that retreat excited for what God was leading our community into. We had great challenges ahead and much work to do. Church planting was the very last item on our list at the time, but for some reason it was at the top of my heart. We'd been at the First Baptist for two and a half years, having left our former ministry in Chicago on good terms as we moved into this new season of ministry.

I couldn't get this idea out of my head and about that time we also had begun to talk to many others who also share this heartbeat. We were struggling to know if this was just a three year itch, looking for something more, or whether this was really something God was calling us too. (By the way we were also working on our third adoption during this time so it added to the questions). We dismissed it as some unrest but still couldn't shake the call. I devoted myself to prayer on the topic, even spending several days of fasting and personal reflection away from all the distractions of life. It was becoming clear in my mind that this was of GOD.

In September with the gracious sponsorship of our former church in Chicago, Missio Dei, we went for a four day Church Planting Assessment from Converge (a church planting organization that strives to place folks with specific gifting for church planting into a place where they can be resourced and equipped to make strong churches grow). We walked in with one idea in mind, "God if this is from You, confirm it here." It was more profound of an experience then words can relay. Both Michelle and I walked out of that four days with a very clear "green light" mentality about what the next step of our faith and life journey would be.

Coming home, I had to enter the office of a man who I both deeply respect and call a very good friend, my senior pastor Jeff. Holding back tears I shared our journey with him and "dropped the bomb" so to speak that we felt God's leading in this direction. He with clear sadness from the ending of what has been a wonderful couple years of ministry together, understood and graciously encouraged me to follow God to whatever end.

As we've announced this transition we've heard nothing but encouragement and hopeful response to the future God has for both us and for FBC. It's always hard to part with any group you have so much love and respect for, but it's a very sweet parting this time indeed. There is ABSOLUTELY no ill will or circumstances that are causing this transition... it is literally the best possible parting I can imagine. I'm so honored to leave well, and look forward with great expectation to what God has in store for First Baptist and for us as we both strive to seek after Him.

I will continue to serve FBC as a pastor until the end of February, and then plan to work for my brother for a couple months just as a time of recharge and renewal apart from any direct ministry. Beyond that our plan is to return to Chicago and pick up the work of continuing God's plan in the city. We will be church planting and are excited for that part of our journey to begin as GOD reveals His perfect plan in us. I will give more details on this later as things develop but if you want information now, please email me privately at philbenner@gmail.com or stop by and we'll grab some coffee. This new work will involve much challenge (including raising support) but I am excited for this journey.

In all this we thank God for the last three and a half years of wonderful ministry at FBC. We have been so blessed and loved. We continue to press into the heart of God and ask for your prayers as we move in the leading of His perfect Spirit.

Much love,

Phil, Michelle, Ari, Nate, and Lea....

photo credit: http://www.bardenphotography.com