Dear Community of St. John’s,

It is with a torrent of emotions that I write to tell you that I will be resigning my Call to St. John’s effective November 21. The reason is that I have been called to serve as Senior Pastor at Bethel Lutheran Church in Madison, Wisconsin.

Throughout my twelve-plus years at St. John’s I have never sought a call.  But, as I have said more than once from the pulpit, as people of faith we need to be open to the workings of the Holy Spirit who is always leading us into God’s future. Our mission, vision and values document states that “we are not afraid of change.” Aware of the potential for a life-altering change, I opened myself up to the interview process with Bethel and it has led to this point.

As a community we will have two months to reflect, review, and celebrate what Jesus has done within St. John’s over these past years. When I arrived in June, 1999, only God could envision what would take place in the years ahead: new mission partners in Rwanda, an expanded outreach in our community as partners with Family Promise, Safe Ground, Faith and Homeless Families, the completion of an historic sanctuary restoration, the installation of the Bedient Opus 80 pipe organ, and the addition of Stephen Ministry. These are just some of the initiatives that have unfolded under God’s love and grace and with your unending commitment to transform our collective vision from words into deeds.

But as I prepare to leave I am more confident than ever in God’s future plans for St. John’s, which is, and always will be, a place of caring, a place of healing, a place where all are welcomed at God’s table. And, to paraphrase our mission statement, a place where God’s love is joyfully and generously lived in the world. The Holy Spirit has gifted this community with an outstanding and dedicated staff and filled it with inspired and faithful lay leaders and a deeply devoted and growing membership.

The words of Saint Paul to the community at Philippi express the thoughts of my heart. “I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:3-6)

My plans, which have been made in consultation with Council President Mary Wiberg, are to continue to share in ministry here with you through the end of the church year, Christ the King Sunday, November 20. At that point I will head to Madison. Kathy and Kai will remain through Christmas to finish out their semesters.

My sincere prayer is that over these next two months we will celebrate the wonderful work of God we have experienced together while at the same time look ahead to the future and to what God has planned for all of us.

There are no words that come close to what needs to be said to express my appreciation to you for calling me to serve as your senior pastor and for all you have done for me, our family, and St. John’s. So let me say it simply, but with a meaning that stretches to the most inner reaches of my heart and soul, thank you….. and thanks be to God.

Together in Ministry,