As I posted on Twitter and Facebook, yesterday after worship service I resigned from First Baptist Church. There are many reasons for this, and I will blog about it coming up in the future. For now, let me just say that it was one of the hardest–definitely in the top 5 hardest things I’ve ever done. I had announced to the staff and deacons the previous Wednesday what was happening and I cried and cried and cried. They were very gracious and prayed for me. Somehow I managed to get through Sunday without breaking down, although Mrs. Greenbean rightly spotted a couple of times during the sermon itself when I almost lost control.
Here is a copy of my resignation letter.
Resignation Letter
7 July 2013
The Lord gives.
The Lord takes away.
Blessed be the name of the Lord.
For 14 years, in fact in three weeks it will be exactly 14 years, I have served as your senior pastor. My tenure has been marked by change, and this process of change has not always been easy, but the church has bravely, and necessarily, moved forward. Where other churches have shrunk back and lived in fear with comfortable truth, First Baptist Port Orchard has lived by faith.
It has been a privilege, an honor, and a joy to be your spiritual leader during these years.
When we came here in 1999, we knew that the Lord had called us here to serve, work, learn, and share life with you. And we have, all four of us Greenings, served, worked, learned and shared a good life. But now, the Lord is speaking to my family and I again, and it is apparent to us that more change is in store for both us and for First Baptist. He is speaking to us about new adventures that lay ahead and different kinds of ministry. Jesus is calling us away.
Therefore, I resign as your pastor, effective July 20, 2013. Next Sunday will be my last one with you as your senior pastor.
Peace,
Dr. Jamie Greening