In every healthy succession of leadership a few things always remain the same. First, the commitment to the mission of the church. It was the timeless commission of Jesus that we would go into all the world and make disciples, teaching them to observe all that He commanded. So, we make disciples. We raise up next-generation leaders. And in this way, we multiply the impact of the church for decades to come. The great commission of Jesus is the same today as it was when He first spoke to His disciples.

A second consistency in leadership transition is a fervent fidelity to the Word of God. When Moses passed his leadership mantle on to Joshua, God commanded that the word He had delivered to Moses necessarily would have to be Joshua’s guiding light as well. “Be careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”  The speaker and leader may change, but the word of the Lord abides forever. A prosperous ministry is never primarily about the leader, but about the message of the One we follow.

The third assurance of the stability of a ministry going through leadership changes is the promise of God’s presence into the future as He was certainly present in the past. Jesus said, “As the Father sent me, so also, I send you. And lo I am with you even to the end of the age.”  To Joshua the Lord said, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”  God is the one who always ultimately leads the prospering church by His presence. For His glory, not the praise of the leader.

So, we’re in good shape for a healthy, ordinary succession of leadership at Calvary. The Lord will be with us; His Word will be our guiding light, and our mission is uninterrupted. All for His glory.

Thank you for praying for our church during these days. Lucy and I are thankful for all the years we have been able to serve God and serve you here. We’re also delighted that we’re not moving away from the church family we love. We have much more we want to do in this next season. We encourage you to be present as a Calvary member at the special Congregational Meeting on June 23 and affirm the recommendation of the Elders to call Thomas Milburn as our next Senior Pastor. He is a man of faith and prayer, and we will be honored to call him our pastor! 

Great days are ahead as we follow the Lord and continue in our roles of serving, praying, giving and loving. May God enable Calvary Bible Church to fulfill His good will.

With Love and Appreciation,

Tom