A Pastoral Statement A Pastoral Statement

PASTOR STEWART’S STATEMENT ON THE 2023 IC3 CHURCH GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE AND PASTOR KAREN’S RETIREMENT AFTER 28 YEARS OF BEING A SERVANT LEADER ON FIBC’S STAFF

Sunday, April 30, 2023

God be praised for the opportunity to attend the 2023 IC3 Church Growth and Development Conference last Tuesday through Thursday, April 24-26, hosted by Dr. Ralph Douglas West, Senior Pastor of the Church Without Walls in Houston, Texas.

The theme for this year was “Managing the Restart” to equip both clergy and laity to effectively lead our respective congregations and ministries out of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Several of the speakers of, at least, three generations, dealt with transitions in churches in light of the multiple transitions we are experiencing in the 21st century Church, i.e., in-person to hybrid, cultural shifts which have diminished the Church’s influence, and pastoral leadership transitions. More than one presenter talked about the need to deal with grief amidst transitions, that is, grieving over what was while the new is forthcoming. One presenter reminded us, “Unattended grief festers. . . . Conflict is involved in transition.” Another presenter taught about “Retooling the Remnant”, which involves “revising and reorganizing, especially for the purpose of updating or improving.” Pastor West shared, “We preach to a culture that is chronically dissatisfied.” God is faithful. This year’s IC3 Conference spoke a kairos or God-timed Word for us as a pastor and people. And for that I am so very grateful to the Lord.

With that being said, “THANK YOU, PASTOR KAREN, FOR BEING A SERVANT LEADER IN FIBC SINCE 1994!”

In a letter Pastor Karen wrote to the Chair of the Governance Council and me earlier this month, she included the following words, “I have joy because I feel my season as a staff person at FIBC has come to a close. Please know that I have entreated the Lord through prayer and fasting regarding His leading me in this direction. God has given me release, and I am being obedient to Him. For this, I am grateful. Please know that nothing has happened that prompts my decision. I have been privileged to lead FIBC staff and ministries through transitions. Now it is time for me to make my transition as well.” Let’s pause and thank God and Pastor Karen for her outstanding leadership for nearly 30 years on the FIBC Staff!!!

This is an announcement of Pastor Karen’s retirement more than her resignation from serving the Lord through FIBC for 28 years. And we will celebrate her retirement at the appropriate time this year. Please know that her goal is to remain on the FIBC Staff until a replacement is selected for her as our first Executive Director of Ministries and she will have the opportunity of orientating that person for, at least, 30 days, to aid him or her in being successful in fulfilling their responsibilities, God-willing. I wholeheartedly support this decision of my partner in marriage and ministry. Please join both of us in praying daily for God to lead us through this strategic transition. Thank you for your love, prayers, support and faithfulness “at such a time as this.”