Some of you may have over the years caught on to the fact that March brings a special season to me. It is NCAA basketball tourney time which is otherwise known as March Madness! Teams play for their conference tournament championships and then sixty-eight teams begin a three-week journey toward the National Championship. It is a special season when “the little guy” has a chance to be a “giant killer”. Crazy plays, last-second heaves from over half court fall through the net and more make for wild endings and storybook headlines.
Since my early teenage years, I have enjoyed college basketball. But it was while attending Duke’s Divinity School that I became an enthusiastic follower, especially as a fan of my Blue Devils. My second year at Duke, 1986, they played in the Championship game. From that time through the mid-ninety’s Duke consistently played deep into each year’s tournament, making the Final Four almost every year and winning two national championships. It was for that reason I kidded with my friends that they should change the name of season to “The Duke Invitational”.
Seasons bring with them certain expectations, even certainties, but may also bring surprises. I know many were surprised this past Sunday when I announced we of RiverStone Church are entering a new season. I announced that I would be retiring from pastoral ministry on or about December 31 of this year. The Preacher who authored Ecclesiastes wrote that well-known passage, “There is a time for everything, and season for every activity under the sun.”
Now, some might think I will coast to retirement. They would be mistaken. There is much to be done in this season. “Band of Brothers” continues to gradually grow and provide meaningful Christian fellowship to men. A Band of four men are meeting to seek deeper knowledge and experience of the Holy Spirit in their daily life. I’m leading an exploratory committee to discern the “what” and “how” of launching a Classical Christian primary school that will hopefully grow and extend to become a middle and senior high. (I will share more later about why we are seeking to do this) I will continue to inform, equip, and form our members in being Christ followers who desire and seek to fulfill the Great Commandments and the Great Commission. As I said Sunday, now I want to end the race with a “kick” finishing strong.
During this season, Church Personnel Relations will be working on a profile of the church and be completing documents that will provide them and the Presiding Elder, Darren Skinner, information regarding a pastoral successor. They will be giving you all opportunities for your insights and hopes to be included in their discussions with Darren. This will take time, which is one reason I wanted to make the announcement now so that CPR and I can make this transition successful so that RiverStone can passionately Love ,Follow , and Serve Jesus. For that is the only way RiverStone Church will Thrive in ’25.
Loving you in Jesus!
Pastor Brian
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