Our Last Sunday at CLA

It's been a bittersweet month, saying good bye to so many people we love. This past Sunday was our last day at Christian Life Assembly--and there was no better send off a pastor could ask for. I'd like to thank the pastoral team and deacon board for such a meaningful service!

The beautiful gift, the video clips, the slide show...all of it was amazing. What I enjoyed most was just talking with people whose lives had been changed by the ministry of Christian Life Assembly.

I would also like to thank my good friend, Tom Jacobs. He is a phenomenal district superintendent and friend. He was the obvious choice for interim pastor at CLA. Our church is in great hands! He and Lori will be a tremendous asset over the next weeks and months.

I'm Gaining Weight!

I think I've gained five pounds in the last couple of weeks. We've been out to eat with so many people and enjoyed every single meal we've had with them. For example, this morning started with coffee at Starbucks, followed by lunch with the team at The Olive Garden, and we capped it off with dinner at Famous Dave's with Gary and Anne Cook!

Monday night we went out to dinner with seven of the families who helped start the church 14 years ago. Yesterday, I had an anniversary dinner with my wife. We ate our way through the weekend with Amberly's family visiting from Oklahoma. Somebody, point me to a gym!

Conviction-Based Decisions

I wrap up the two-week Decision '08 series today with the message Conviction-Based Decisions. Here are six convictions that should shape a Christian's decisions:

1. It's All About God (Romans 11.36)
2. The Local Church is the Hope of the World (Matthew 16.18)
3. People Matter to God; They Ought to Matter to Me (Mark 12.31)
4. The Whole World Needs Jesus (Matthew 28.18-20)
5. Nothing is Impossible with God (Matthew 19.26)
6. History's Conclusion is Inevitable (Matthew 24.14)

So, how do you base your decisions? Convenience? Criticism? Comparison? Circumstances? How about convictions?

Final Deacon Board Meeting

Below is a farewell and final motion to adjourn that I read in the deacon board meeting. I will post a photo of the artwork when it's available:

Through the years, I have heard pastors complain about their boards—about their meddling in the ministry, about them opposing change, about them resisting innovation. I am certain that in many places this has been the case. However, it has not been the case here. This board and the ones who preceded it have been a blessing to me and to the church family.

Tonight, in our last meeting together, let me say thank you for the hours you have invested in me, this church, and our community. Together, we have walked the path the Lord laid out for us. Sometimes, we coasted with the wind of the Spirit at our backs. At other times, the Lord let us climb up hill to teach to keep going and never give up.

Dave, you have added a jovial spirit and deep spiritual insight to the board. I appreciate your heartfelt concern for people and the love you have for the Lord. Knowing that you and Joyce are praying for me makes me rejoice!

Garry, your level-headed approach to life and ministry brings a calm spirit to everything we do. I appreciate your mature attitude and your unflappable heart. You and Melody bring an assurance to the board that is critical at this time.

Nathan, there is no one I could be more proud of than you. Your growth in Christ, your commitment to ministry, your positive spirit, and your wisdom stretch beyond your years. I am proud of you Vanessa and am excited about what God is going to do in your life.

Russ, we have laughed together, prayed together, and cried together. Your common sense, humility, and abiding trust in the leading of the Holy Spirit have served this church and board well. I am a better person for having known you. You and Julie bring such giving hearts to this church. You are a blessing.

Your new pastor will be God’s gift to this church. You will be this church’s gift to him. I know you will receive him, love him, support him, and walk with him just as you have me. Our time of serving together on the board concludes tonight, but before we do, Amberly and I would like to present a gift from us to you and the board members who have served before you. I pray that as this piece of art hangs in the board room you will look at it and remember my prayer for you—may the Lord bless you and keep you.

And, now, I would entertain a motion to adjourn our meetings as a board, but to continue our lives together as friends, but even more as brothers forever as sons of the same Heavenly Father no matter where we live, near or far.

Baptisms and Baby Dedications

This past Sunday, we were able to baptize about 15 people. Among those were Sheila, Kaylee, and Kaleb Miller. Randy, Sheila's husband and the kids' father, was taking pictures.

Randy and Sheila were in their 20's just like us when we started the church 14 years ago. Over the past 14 years, our families have grown, life's thrown some curves, but God has been good. I've been honored to dedicate both of their kids, baptize them, stand with the family at moments of tragic loss (deaths and tornado), and watch them grow and make good decisions along the way. One of my kids still sleeps with a blanket Sheila made when they were born.

It's relationships like this that make ministry worthwhile, and makes saying good-bye so hard. Yet, I know that we are a family--the family of God. And, whether in Des Moines of Hampton Roads, we are still a family.

Making Good Decisions

Amberly and I used a six-step process to discern God's will for lives before and during this transition. Here are the six steps:

1. Pray for Guidance (Proverbs 28.26)

For the Christian, the first step and the ongoing step in the process is to pray. In bigger decisions, Amberly and I like to add fasting to the regular prayer time. The key is to not stop listening before God starts talking.

2. Get the Facts (Proverbs 13.16)

Every decision has a set of facts that anchor it. The important thing to remember is to get the facts for yourself. In big decisions, you can't depend on other people to spy out the land for you. You've got to get the facts. And, don't be afraid of the facts--even if they seem to go against the decision you want to make. Facts are your friends.

3. Ask for Advice (Proverbs 24.6)

It's good to hear from people who have been down the road you're wanting to travel before you head out on the highway. The key is to get advice from the right people. If you want to soar like an eagle, you can't take advice from turkeys. In this decision, I sought advice from key mentors who have made these types of transitions before.

4. Calculate the Cost (Luke 14.28-29)

Even good decisions come with a price tag. Having a baby comes with a price tag--financially and in the amount of sleep you get. The key is to count the cost before you make the decision so you aren't surprised after the decision.

5. Prepare for Problems (Proverbs 22.3)

While you expect the best, it's best to prepare for problems. For example, in this transition, I'm praying for my house to sell quickly, but I'm preparing financially if it does not. It's not a lack of faith to anticipate what problems may arise and develop a plan to handle those issues before they explode. It's always easier to handle a BB than an atom bomb.

6. Face Your Fears (Ecclesiastes 11.4)

Often, the decision we need to make will put us squarely in the face of one of our biggest fears. I have found that often God uses that fear to catapult us to a new level of relationship and dependence on him, as well as advance the vision he has for our lives.

Cubs Win! Cubs Win!

Last night, the boys and I attended our last Iowa Cubs baseball game. And, the Cubbies didn't disappoint us. They won 11-7, after getting down in the first inning. We've loved going to Principal Park every summer for a half dozen games or so. The park is only about five minutes from our house.

I wonder what games will be like for the Norfolk Tides. I know they are the AAA affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, which has been my team since 1979 when I felt sorry for them after they blew the World Series agains the Pirates. I've flirted with switching to the Boston Red Sox or St. Louis Cardinals, but its hard to break a 30-year habit.

Lasts and Firsts

This month and the next will be a series of lasts and firsts. Here are some of the lasts on the calendar:

• This Sunday is our last baptism service at CLA.
• Next week is my last meeting with the Iowa Ministry Presbytery.
• Next week is my last official board meeting with CLA.
• Tuesday was Corbin's last day at gymnastics--he saw Shawn Johnson one more time before the Olympics.

There are several firsts up ahead:

• August 3 will be the first Sunday I preach at Bethel Temple as their pastor.
• Last night, I had my first official board meeting with Bethel Temple.
• When we move, it will be the first time my kids have lived anywhere, but Iowa.

It's a series of firsts and lasts that mixes joy and sadness together. As I talk with people here in DSM, I hear myself over and over telling them how proud I am of them. And, I am. I am proud of the people they have become, of the church that has been built, and how they've allowed God to work in their lives. I am so proud of the people of Christian Life Assembly, and look forward to seeing how God continues to work in their lives, as well as in the lives of the people at Bethel Temple.

Dinner with the Klobnaks, Baptism, and Phone Calls from Costa Rica

We had a great dinner with Wes and Lisa Klobnak tonight at The Olive Garden--you never can go wrong with The Olive Garden. Their story is like so many of those you can find at Christian Life Assembly. They came hurt and wounded and found healing. It's been a joy to be part a church that has genuinely loved people and created a safe place to belong to God's family. Thank you for being a life giving church.

This Sunday is going to be exciting. We're baptizing 12 people! If you want to be baptized there is still time, you can e-mail us at pastortj@lifenow.org to set up a time to get your video completed.

Several friends from around the country have called to congratulate us on the move to Bethel Temple, while at the same time expressing sadness for our leaving CLA. We got a call from Tony Andrews--who pastors at Norwood, Iowa. We also got a call from Bryand and Jaci Acuna in Costa Rica, as well as Pastor Bill and Linda Hartman in Arlington, Washington. Bill and Linda served at Glad Tidings right here on the south side of DSM for the past several years and did a great job. God must be up to something new in our part of the city. It will be exciting to see what he does!

Resignation Letter

June 30, 2008

Dear Christian Life Assembly Board and Church Family,

Fourteen years ago, I wrote a letter to a handful of people, quoting from the Steven Curtis Chapman song, The Great Adventure. The lyrics say, “Saddle up your horses, we’ve got a trail to blaze through the wild blue wonder of God’s amazing grace. We’ll follow our Leader into the glorious unknown. This is life like no other. This is a great adventure.” What an adventure it has been. From a handful of people to hundreds of families who call Christian Life Assembly their church home, plus thousands of people who have been impacted by this ministry.

Along the way, two phrases have been carved into my mind.

First, one is too small of a number for greatness. Nothing great is accomplished by one person. I want to say thank you to this church family for rising to the challenge of greatness time and time again. From setting up and tearing down for over seven years to raising funds to hire our first youth pastor to relocating through two lease spaces to giving away over 1,000 turkeys or 500 backpacks to the construction of our current facility, this church has always been built by hundreds of hands, not just mine. For that I am thankful.

The hands that helped me more than any other during this time were those of my wife, Amberly. She held my hand and held my heart as I planned and dreamed with her about the church that God could build through us. There is no person on the planet I would rather be married to. We came her—just me and her and a U-Haul. We leave here with three children, a whole lot of stuff, and more good memories than any album could contain. I am so glad she was my partner on this adventure and I want to say publicly that I love her and thank her for her partnership. In two weeks, we celebrate 17 years of marriage, 14 of those will have been spent serving you together. I cannot imagine any better combination.

In addition, I am so thankful to the families who joined us in the beginning and are still with us today—the Bradshaws, Walkers, Watrous, Legans, Kruegers, Millers, Svaldis, and Coffmans. When we met in the Bradshaw’s living room at 4915 Lakewood Drive, none of us could have imagined the adventure that lay ahead. It is more than unusual for the founding families to be around five years later, but here we are together 14 years later. Originally, the Bradshaws only offered their home, but did not plan to leave First Assembly for this new church. I am so glad they didn’t stick by that offer. Along the way Ron became a trusted board member and Gloria served with distinction as secretary, children’s pastor, and accountant. She served longer than any other team member and for that I am profoundly thankful.

Along the way, I have had the joy and privilege to serve with many great board members. Our current board of Russ Hixson, Nathan Schaad, Dave Shanks, and Garry Bockholt has been a delight. I have also enjoyed serving in the past with Ron Bradshaw, Gary Buffum, Mike Cluney, Cris Coffman, Gary Cook, Steve Davidson, Dave Leeper, Mike Phillips, and Steve Svaldi.

Life is better together!

Along the way, I’ve stood by these families and you as we’ve dedicated your babies, married your children, and said final good-byes to some of your closest family members and friends. I want to say thank you for inviting me into these most sacred moments of your life. They will be memories I will always cherish.

At the same time, I am also thankful for the many people our church has helped launch into ministry. The heart of a church isn’t always judged by how many it seats, but how many it sends. We’ve had a powerful role together of launching people into ministry. Our church provided the first ministry assignment for Heath and Ali Adamson, Jonathan and Erica Barthalow, Steve Scheperle, Rob and Michelle Purcell, Vanessa Schaad, and TJ and Kimberly Cristobal. Each was launched into ministry at this church.

In addition, we were able to raise up Matt and Tonya Stuva, Tony and Tammy Andrews, Bryand and Jaci Acuna, and Lee and Kelly Havemeier who are now all involved in ministry in Iowa and around the world. You have a role in their ministries because of your unselfish commitment to serve Christ together.

Not only that, but you released me to be involved with church planting and leadership development all across the state. Because of our partnership, there are over 12 new and revitalized churches with people worshipping God each week. There are also scores of pastors who have been trained for a more effective ministry because of your partnership.

One is too small of a number for greatness.

The second indelible thought is that those who quit remember the ordeal, but those who endure remember the adventure. Amberly and I will certainly look back and remember our time at Christian Life Assembly as an adventure, not an ordeal. I want to say thank you to all of the staff members, board members, and church family who have taken the adventure with us. You made the journey worth it. I cannot tell you how much I love you and how much I will miss you. I pray that as you open your hearts to a new pastor, you’ll always reserve a place in it for me and my family. The greatest honor in my life has been to have you call me Pastor. One day I may finally get that doctorate, but the title I love more than any is Pastor. I hope you’ll always think of me as your pastor because I will always think of you as my church family. Our church family is simply expanding to include the people of Bethel Temple in Hampton, Virginia. If they love and care for me and my family half as much as you then I will be a very blessed man.

There is no compelling reason for this change of ministry other than the clear voice of God that spoke to my heart during our time of prayer and fasting this February. In a moment more clear than any I can remember, the Lord told me, “Your time here is almost up.” I have dreaded this day, feared this day, and pushed this day as far into the back of my mind as I could. But now that which I feared has come upon me. I must be obedient to the heavenly vision and resign as pastor of Christian Life Assembly, effective July 31, 2008. The board will share with you the transition plan that we have discussed together and that I believe will help our church move to the next level. I stand ready to assist them in any way necessary through this time. They are good men, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom. They will prayerfully submit the next nominee to you at the appropriate time and after the appropriate process. Please pray for them and give them the room they need to work through the process in confidentiality.

Well, we come to the end—not only of this letter, but the end of our season together. As we do, let me remind you of something I have mentioned several times before. My name’s Glenn. I’m your friend. And, I hope I’ve helped.

In His Hope,



Glenn Reynolds
Pastor
Christian Life Assembly