Minister's Corner

As many of you may already know, I have officially resigned my position here at Jefferson Presbyterian Church, effective October 1, 2009. As many of you know, this has been a matter of serious consideration for me since the Fall of last year as we were working with PSL church transformation effort. This has been a very difficult decision for me and one I have not taken lightly in any way. But I do feel that the time is right for me to continue to follow God's calling in my life in a different direction by focusing exclusively on expanding my counseling private practice. And I also believe the time is right for Jefferson Church to pursue acquiring a full-time minister with expertise and training in new chuch planting and growth. That is a very specialized form of pastoral ministry that our church needs at this time if it is to survive and thrive in the years and generations to come.

To this end, the Session has allocated the money necessary for the Presbytery to allow Jefferson Presbyterian to engage in the search for this kind of minister to fill a full-time position. The search for a minister with this kind of specialty will very likely take some time, but with all our prayers and support the search should be successful. The Session has also begun the work to find an Interim Minister to lead the church until the search for a full-time minister is completed.

All of this means a lot of change and transition. Change of any kind whether positive or negative can be very disruptive. Change can create some chaos for a while. So don't be surprised if you feel some of that internally within yourself, or you experience in your relationships with each other. But if you will hang in there and weather the change effectively, I KNOW that God will bless and prosper Jefferson Presbyterian to continue its ministry in the community.

I have enjoyed working with you and among you for the past several years. And I will miss you. We have been through a lot together with Hurricane Katrina four years ago and the sanctuary fire last year. And Jefferson Church is still strong, still going, and still meeting the needs of hurting people who need the Lord.

I will still be here through the end of September, so don't have my funeral just yet. But it will be hard to say "Goodbye" when the time comes.

Peace & Blessings,
Rev. Garry