Last post: March 12th. Wow. I am a slacker.
But in my own defense, I have had some things on my mind since then. Not an excuse, just an explanation. Ya' see...
In June of this year, the Bryan family will be moving to Springfield, Missouri, where I will be appointed to serve as pastor of Campbell United Methodist Church. The appointment has been announced both at Campbell and here in North Kansas City, so it will be made official at Annual Conference, and the last weekend of June will be our first weekend in Springfield.
When the Ozarks South District Superintendent Kendall Waller told me about Campbell UMC and the particular needs of that congregation, he gave me some time to pray and think about it, and to talk it over with my wife Erin. In this process, I discerned that God is calling me to serve as the pastor there. I said yes to this appointment because Erin and I truly believe that we are being called to Campbell.
Of course, that is not to say that we are eager to leave Northtown – far from it! We love this remarkable congregation, and the last four years together have been filled with love and joy and genuine Christian friendship. I heard someone relatively new to the congregation say recently, “I am constantly amazed at how much you all actually enjoy being together. It’s like you really like each other!” How true that is, and what a wonderful thing to be said of a congregation.
And that’s what the new pastor is going to find here – a remarkable, Christ-centered, people-focused congregation. The new pastor is going to find a congregation who understands its mission to provide a Spiritual Home in which all persons can live and grow in their relationships with God and one another. The new pastor is going to find a vital and vibrant congregation with a lot of momentum and energy, growing both spiritually and numerically, and always ready to reach out and convey the love of Christ in all they say and do.
And so we're leaving a good place - and going to a good place. Campbell UMC is a community of really great people who have been through a lot together. I have already sensed an eagerness and an energy in the people there that promises some pretty good things. God is clearly at work in the community, and we are looking forward to being there and getting to know everybody. I can see nothing but wonderfulness in the future for Campbell!
Itenerant preachers sometimes have to leave a place where things have not gone well - that can be messy. And sometimes we have to go to a place that we are sort of dreading - that can be scary. But how lucky am I, leaving one vital and vibrant congregation and going to another one!
Your prayers during this time of transition will be greatly appreciated.
Sermon for the First Sunday of Lent, Feb. 18, 2024
8 months ago
5 comments:
The KC area is losing a great man Andy!
I wish you and your family God's peace as you go and accepting hearts for those Ozarkians who don't know how much they will be blessed.
He is Risen!
Blessings, Bob
Congratulations! You will like the Ozarks.
Since both of my daughters went to school there, I am quite familiar with the place.
But remember that the school we knew as Southwest Missouri State when we were at Truman is now called Missouri State and they are picky about that.
Have fun and keep posting!
In peace and with Christ,
Tony
My wife and I did an experiment in Springfield. We dressed in clothes more fit for working in the yard than what would be considered appropriate for church and visited several of the UM churches in town. Campbell UMC was on the higher end of the scale in their receptivity to out-of-place-looking strangers.
Though you're gonna be in the southern-most part of Springfield, don't forget the opportunity for college ministry. Schweitzer UMC got the lion's share of the money, but they're mainly focusing on MSU. The Wesley Foundation is functioning somewhat out of Asbury UMC, but without a house and conference funding, they're hurting. No one is doing much with Drury University or with Ozark Technical College.
I'm not trying to tell you how to do your job, or anything. ;-)
I'm just sayin'....ya know?
Blessings, Andy during this time of transition! it's an exciting and scary time for sure!
Hi there Andy, This is the first time I am writing on your blog. I confess I am not much of a blogger. I wish you well in your new appointment. I too am moving. Ildi and I are going to MN. Ildi was hired to teach violin in the Twin Cities. I am patiently waiting for an appointment that will never come. I am facing in these economic hard times the prospect of not having a position. Of course I have not been idling away my time, I have been applying for jobs and might have the opportunity to teach at a small Christian school in MN. God will open doors.
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