In two weeks I will be relinquishing a stewardship God gave me 14 years ago when I became the senior pastor of Sunridge Community Church. I was asked by our elders to share some personal reflections with the church on my final three Sundays. This morning (11/8/09) I talked about John 10 and what it teaches about "the Good Pastor."
2009-11-08, Head Pastor from Sunridge on Vimeo.
This is what I (Shauna) posted on FB: Personally, I think you and the elders are handling this all well. Sure, Bryan and I were shocked at first, and admittedly felt a little abandoned, but when I went to the meeting with an open heart and when we read the letters that were sent, and when we hear you talk, then we have peace in our spirits that this is a God-thing. I think what you said today (reflecting what you said at the meeting) about Jesus is our Good Shepherd/Pastor who will never leave us nor forsake us, is a truth we at Sunridge need to embrace. I was going to write this to you in another format, but I might as well put it in here. When we moved from San Diego to Temecula, it took us 6 months to quit driving the 60 miles one-way to attend our church there. We were heavily involved w/ the church body there; I was a small group leader, Bryan had just finished serving on the board, and I was nominated to the board. It was the only church where Bryan and I willingly became members (he was raised Catholic), so that speaks volumes. Anyway, God had prepared others in the church before we were ready to move on. Finally, our senior pastor told us face-to-face, "Pathway will continue on and grow whether you're here or whether you're not." At first I was taken aback, but then I heard the heart of what he was saying; which was, "We release you to what God has planned because we know God has good plans for us too. It's because of Him that we know we'll continue on and grow, no matter who is here and who isn't. He's our Good Shepherd." Pastor Greg, one of the main reasons we choose to attend Sunridge is because we saw how the leadership is utilized and put into place. When we first were attending over 4 years ago, we said to each other, "It's good to know Sunridge is set up so that if something happened to the senior pastor, the church body would continue on." I hope my words encourage you and others reading this comment. You will be greatly missed, and we love your style, and I pray you can have peace coming from our joint Great Shepherd, that Sunridgians will continue on and grow, with or without you. (And that really IS a compliment to you, for, as John Maxwell puts it, "Everything rises and falls on leadership.")
Thank you for reminding us who will always be our "Pastor" no matter where we attend church. During this week, I will re-read the passage you gave us in John to remind me as we tearfully say Good-Bye to the Shepherd we have learned so much from over the years. We will always love you, Robin and the boys.
Judi & John Pontsler
As one pastor to another, you spoke to my heart. Being certain of God's will in the matter, I rest assured that the Shepherd into whose hands you are entrusting Sunridge is also the Shepherd who will guide you, guard you, feed you and knows you. Thank you Greg!