Determination Required for Accepting the Unfamiliar
From the pulpit our beloved Pastor—the human “founder” of our vibrant congregation announced he was resigning to become part of a national ministry headquartered elsewhere in the nation. The gasps and moans were audible. This man was the spiritual Daddy for many. He walked them through their incubation period, bottle fed them with the milk of the Word, carefully selected tender morsels as they learned to chew, and introduced them to beef steak of the Biblical barbeque. He was admired and loved.
The church elders introduced a candidate Pastor. His selection was affirmed by the congregation. After a honeymoon period of several months, a number of families left—some to other churches—some just dropped out. Reasons varied from “I just don’t feel fed,” to “It’s just not the same” to “I don’t get anything out of the new Pastor’s messages.”
Change is always difficult, especially when it involves transition from one we love and respect to one who is new and unknown. It has been observed that often the minister who follows a loved founding Pastor is a sacrificial lamb. He is constantly walking in the shadow of his predecessor. He is constantly being compared, and he falls short.
Our church experience proved this true. People did leave. It was not until the third, fourth and fifth successor to the founding Pastor became established in the community and with the congregation that numbers and vibrancy returned to the church. Change and transition are difficult.
By this time most of you are aware that the Heaven and Home Hour is in transition. During 78 years of ministry on the air we have had but three regular speakers. And now it is time for a fourth. In his 70’s Dr. Jim Christensen is stepping aside to facilitate the introduction of a new speaker for the program. Just as Dr. Jim could not, for many, replace Russell Killman; just as Russell Killman could not replace his father-in-law and Heaven and Heaven and Home Hour founder Dr. Clarence Erickson, so no one can replace Jim with the same devotion, love, and respect. However, even with their differences, each of these three was proven to be an effective communicator and teacher of God’s Word.
Our hope and prayer is that when our Board of Directors identifies and presents a new speaker, he will be as accepted as his predecessors. Pray for us (the board) as we search, weigh and evaluate potential men to continue this daily radio ministry. When he is presented, it is our hope that he will not be a sacrificial lamb, but that he will be accepted and that the ministry will grow under his teaching and leadership.
Pray with us,
Dave Winchester
For the Board of Directors
