Yesterday was an emotionally difficult day. I made it about two minutes into the sermon before the tears started flowing. It seemed like the congregation was crying with me as well. Leaving Waynesboro is more like a missionary leaving a congregation that has loved and nurtured a man to travel into the unknown territory. Waynesboro will be missed. This past Sunday was the way I wanted to say good-bye. It was the way a good-bye was meant to be. Heartfelt, difficult, and full of hope. Charity has left for Nashville already. She is staying with her parents until Friday morning where she with the kids will fly out. Castle Rock knows how to move a minister. Hire a company and fly out the wife and kids. First class treatment from a first class church. I am driving out with Mitchell and Carl Skelton. Mitchell is the other preacher at Waynesboro. Mitchell is the best preacher I have ever worked with as a partner in the gospel. He is the bridge of Waynesboro to Castle Rock in his coming. We are traveling tomorrow and should arrive in Castle Rock on Wednesday night. Castle Rock will be different from Waynesboro, from small town to big city. I am excited about the challenge of helping a congregation grow in an urban center. Please be praying for us in our travels.
Related posts:
- The Blessed Castle Rock Church
- Read “Traveling Mercies”
- Blessed by Blogs
- Closing On A House
- Preacher Killers
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on Monday, November 10th, 2008 at 3:48 pm and is filed under Church News.
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About The Author
Matthew is originally from Nova Scotia, Canada. He has a beautiful wife named Charity and a precious baby named Gabrielle. He has graduated from the Brown Trail School of Preaching, Heritage Christian University with his Bachelors of Arts in Biblical Studies, Lipscomb University with his Master’s of Arts in Biblical Studies and his Master’s of Divinity at Freed-Hardeman University. He is presently working towards his Doctorate of Ministry at Harding Graduate School of Religion. His articles have appeared in the World Evangelist, the Highway to Holiness, The West Virginia Christian, The Christian Echo, The Firm Foundation, Church Growth, and the Gospel Advocate. He enjoys hockey, golf, boxing, and chess. In his spare time he enjoys reading numerous genres of books. Also, he is working on climbing all of the 14ers in Colorado. Matthew is the Pulpit Minister for the Castle Rock church of Christ.
Sounds like two lucky congregations and one lucky preacher. Well, not lucky, but rather blessed. The church you are leaving has been blessed to have you and the new one will be blessed by your ministry with them. And, you have been loved and supported by two great groups of people. Trust me, there are lots of preachers much older than you who can’t honestly say that about their own experience.
I will be interested in seeing what God is up to at the new place of ministry.
His peace,
Royce
Thank you, and me too.
We are very excited for you and your family, and are praying for a smooth transition for you all!
Matthew,
I totally understand where you are comming from brother. I have been at the best congregation that I have ministered at for five years. It doesn’t feel like church but family. A close family. Well, my wife found a job in Kerrville as Kerr Country Assistant Auditor. It is well pay and benefits. We found a house (4 bedroom, 2bth, 2 car garage) it is 5 blocks from the church and 2 block from the city golf course.
The men met last Sunday about what they want to do with me. There is sever options. One option is that I can preach until they find someone. Second I can preach in Feb. because my wife won’t get payed until Feb because she starts in January. Another option to give me some severance pay or no pay at all and just let me God.
Matthew I was wondering if you could keep me in your prayers about transition. I cherish our friendship and I know that my last ssermon preach will be extremely moving. I am trying to work on what I want to say to them as I do leave. What did you say? If you don’t want to share with us I totally understand. Let me though. Matt I have you have a great week!
I will post the sermon that I preached later on, but I am in Kansas City tonight.