Statement of Transition and Pending Resignation
Greetings, loved ones. We are here today with the ECB elders and pastors to rejoice in some things that God is doing among us. Let me begin with a bit of history...
In 2010, Ty and I arrived at ECB with a sense that God had called us to position the church for global impact. Since that time, remember with me some things that God has done. Our faithful God has:
About 18 months ago, Ty and I sensed that, for the most part, what God had asked us to do, we had done. The reasons for our coming to ECB were nearly fulfilled. We wondered what was next for us and others around us were asking, “What do you think is next for you and ECB?” At first, I didn’t have an answer...
When COVID restrictions hit Thailand in March 2020, a number of encouraging events, conversations and meetings with people seemed to indicate that God was yet again preparing to do something wonderful at ECB – something that would take the church to the next level of global disciple-making and impact in preparation for the return of Jesus.
At the same time, God seemed to be indicating that we would not be the ones to lead this next phase of exciting ministry – we would only be called on to help prepare the way.
At the beginning of July 2020, I had a conversation with the ECB elder board about being released from the responsibility of running the church in order to focus more on teaching and leadership development – things I truly love to do.
After much discussion, the elders agreed to find a way to make this happen. Their intention was that I simply transition my responsibilities here at ECB.
Nevertheless, in the months since then, it has become increasingly clear that ECB would best be served not by a change in our role at ECB, but by Ty and I helping the present staff to prepare for a transition to different pastoral leadership for ECB. And so, in November of 2020, the ECB elder board accepted my resignation from the lead pastor role at ECB.
Let me be very clear here. We have had no offers to join other ministries. And no one here is asking us to leave – quite the contrary, in fact. Let me repeat. We have no other ministry pursuing us. And it was our request to resign. My resignation has nothing to do with personal weariness, discouragement, COVID or even the recent passing of my own mother. Be very assured that my resignation is the result of God's leading alone.
Please believe us when we say that we love you dearly and that ECB is the best thing we have ever done with our lives. Nevertheless, it seems clear to us that in order for ECB to move forward, God is asking us to step aside in order for someone else to lead.
So, in the next few months, the pastoral team and elders will be implementing a search process for the next lead pastor. A church profile of ECB has been developed, along with a job description, and a search process timeline, as well as a list of answers to some anticipated questions or FAQs.
I will continue in the pulpit ministry while seeking to develop a team of those who can maintain pulpit ministry in preparation for welcoming my replacement.
Then, on 30 June 2021, following these months of transition, it is our plan to step away from ECB ministry altogether, return to the United States and ask God what is next.
In the meantime, cherished friends (and we mean this with all our hearts), please know that we love you. And with that assurance, let us fix our eyes on Jesus together and prayerfully move forward with joy and unity as we discover what God has for us and as we prepare to be that church that He will continue to use. These next months will be critical ones for the future of ECB and we all can be a part of this process.
Greetings, loved ones. We are here today with the ECB elders and pastors to rejoice in some things that God is doing among us. Let me begin with a bit of history...
In 2010, Ty and I arrived at ECB with a sense that God had called us to position the church for global impact. Since that time, remember with me some things that God has done. Our faithful God has:
- grown ECB by conversion nearly every year;
- established an infrastructure of LIFE Groups;
- systematized a discipleship track for adults, students and children;
- opened pathways to mission engagement;
- sent out and supported ECB missionaries;
- sent congregants as global disciples to many nations of the earth;
- developed a prayer ministry corps along with a prayer app that has been downloaded in 15 languages in 192 nations;
- provided for the development of a church app to facilitate ECB’s ministry and to share that ministry with ECB alumni and others around the world;
- nurtured partnerships with churches in the region;
- and engaged city outreach opportunities right here in Bangkok.
- And the list goes on!
About 18 months ago, Ty and I sensed that, for the most part, what God had asked us to do, we had done. The reasons for our coming to ECB were nearly fulfilled. We wondered what was next for us and others around us were asking, “What do you think is next for you and ECB?” At first, I didn’t have an answer...
When COVID restrictions hit Thailand in March 2020, a number of encouraging events, conversations and meetings with people seemed to indicate that God was yet again preparing to do something wonderful at ECB – something that would take the church to the next level of global disciple-making and impact in preparation for the return of Jesus.
At the same time, God seemed to be indicating that we would not be the ones to lead this next phase of exciting ministry – we would only be called on to help prepare the way.
At the beginning of July 2020, I had a conversation with the ECB elder board about being released from the responsibility of running the church in order to focus more on teaching and leadership development – things I truly love to do.
After much discussion, the elders agreed to find a way to make this happen. Their intention was that I simply transition my responsibilities here at ECB.
Nevertheless, in the months since then, it has become increasingly clear that ECB would best be served not by a change in our role at ECB, but by Ty and I helping the present staff to prepare for a transition to different pastoral leadership for ECB. And so, in November of 2020, the ECB elder board accepted my resignation from the lead pastor role at ECB.
Let me be very clear here. We have had no offers to join other ministries. And no one here is asking us to leave – quite the contrary, in fact. Let me repeat. We have no other ministry pursuing us. And it was our request to resign. My resignation has nothing to do with personal weariness, discouragement, COVID or even the recent passing of my own mother. Be very assured that my resignation is the result of God's leading alone.
Please believe us when we say that we love you dearly and that ECB is the best thing we have ever done with our lives. Nevertheless, it seems clear to us that in order for ECB to move forward, God is asking us to step aside in order for someone else to lead.
So, in the next few months, the pastoral team and elders will be implementing a search process for the next lead pastor. A church profile of ECB has been developed, along with a job description, and a search process timeline, as well as a list of answers to some anticipated questions or FAQs.
I will continue in the pulpit ministry while seeking to develop a team of those who can maintain pulpit ministry in preparation for welcoming my replacement.
Then, on 30 June 2021, following these months of transition, it is our plan to step away from ECB ministry altogether, return to the United States and ask God what is next.
In the meantime, cherished friends (and we mean this with all our hearts), please know that we love you. And with that assurance, let us fix our eyes on Jesus together and prayerfully move forward with joy and unity as we discover what God has for us and as we prepare to be that church that He will continue to use. These next months will be critical ones for the future of ECB and we all can be a part of this process.