At Long Last - A New Entry!

Following is today's post from Greg's blog, "Where The Fish Have No Name".
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My wife says I'm a bit TOO transparent with people... I tell too much about myself, my struggles, my faults. It's something that has developed over my years in the ministry. It just seems right to me. Well, to borrow an analogy from the life of the apostle Paul, we've had a shipwreck and need your prayers that we can shake the snake off our arm!

I love my church here in Griffith and its people so dearly. These 5 years here have been a true blessing. Sadly, due to cost of living in this area and financial devastation in the life of most of our prime givers, our church has had to face a hard reality. They will now have to go to a part-time, bi-vocational pastor. Sadly, that means we're going to have to move on. It's not what we wanted, but it's a reality I'm having to accept.

This will be like leaving family. It will be like losing an arm. This church has not just been a pastoral charge, it's been family, friend and home. They've seen us through the worst challenge of our lives - the near death and long recuperation of my wife.

So it stands that we need to find a new life. We are in desperate need of a job opportunity and have been searching diligently. I say these things in realization that if you have any suggestions or leads for me, I'd be quite grateful. I pastor in the Free Methodist Church and would want to find a ministry opportunity in doctrinally similar church. Any pastoral or associate role would be fine. I would also consider any job possibility outside of pastoral ministry if it seems God is leading us there. You can look over my blog entries to get to know me a bit better. Among the things that seem to be my strengths are: teaching, speaking, writing, group development, and visionary and creative leadership. I love photography and digital editing, songwriting, guitar-playing (even if I'm just a hack!), and have many computer skills.

I share these things with you in hopes that while I search, perhaps you've been moved to read these words and might have a lead for me. If so, please leave a comment and I will get back with you. I hold all comments for moderation, so if you want to leave an email address or phone number, or to have mine, I can withhold the information from publication here. In other words, leave what info you want, and let me know if you want me to not allow it to be listed for public reading.

I'm so grateful for the ways some of you, as strangers to me, have affirmed me and encouraged me. I received a call from a gentleman in Illinois just today who truly made my day. Sir, if you're reading this, I thank you again. You didn't know at the time, but you called just when I needed a good word.

God has blessed me in so many ways, and I look forward to the challenges ahead. Oh, and the blog shall continue. God's blessings to you all!