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Pastor's Note | Saturday, August 16th

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"Who is that new person?"

In recent weeks it has not been unusual for one of our staff or members to ask me that question. We have been blessed to have welcomed a number of new individuals and families in our worship services in recent weeks - many of whom were introduced to Good Shepherd through VBS or by a team of people who have been participating in community events and extending invitations to worship. Thanks be to God not only for new faces, but for the warm welcome you have been extending to our guests.

Speaking of new faces, you may have had an opportunity to meet Josh Higgins, his wife Kate, and their young children. Josh has accepted our invitation to serve as Director of Student Ministries and has begun to work in that capacity. Please join me in welcoming Josh to our staff team and all of them to our congregation.

But with the hiring of Josh comes the difficult reality that Werner Ramirez is soon to depart for Princeton Theological Seminary. Werner will begin the Master of Divinity degree and further preparation for ministry to students and young adults. Werner's moving into this new chapter of his life means we will miss him and the many ways he has blessed our students and our entire church family.

Speaking of this congregation, we are hoping for a resolution to the Stay of Enforcement on the Presbytery of Los Ranchos' decision to dismiss us and allow us to affiliate with ECO: A Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians. Please pray that this will happen soon so that we can complete the transition to our new denominational home and begin to live out its priorities on making disciples, planting new churches, and working closely with other ECO churches in our area. One other transition the Session is working on is that of the future pastoral leadership of Good Shepherd.

I know it is difficult - perhaps even anxiety-producing - to be in a time of transitions like the ones we are facing. Please understand that they take time and the Session is working diligently to navigate through them. We will communicate with you as soon and as effectively as possible so you are not left in the dark. However, right now there is the need for confidentiality and allowing our leaders to do what they have to do. We will hold a Congregational Information Meeting on Sunday, September 21st to provide input on 1) the dismissal status (unless resolved earlier than that), 2) pastoral transitioning, and 3) a report from Don Goehner who was with us in late Winter and early Spring to help process our staffing transition. This will be an extremely helpful and informative meeting so stay tuned for more details.

As we continue to see unrest, terrorist attacks on civilians, persecution and genocide efforts against Christians, violence on our own streets, and tension in the world, remember the word of the Lord spoken through Daniel to King Nebuchadnezzar, "...the Most High is sovereign over all the kingdoms of the earth..." Let's respond with compassionate aid to victimized people, let's pray for peace and the end of atrocities, let's lift up persecuted brothers and sisters in prayer, and let's entrust our world and ourselves to the sovereignty of Almighty God.

Pastor Jim

1 Comment

Jim
Change is never easy....and we have a lot if changes ongoing. You leaving will leave a big hole, but we all know that at some time it needs to happen.
I am still transitioning as you know and it is challenging. But if my guitar playing would be easier then the whole transition thing would be easier.

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