My wife and I finished up at our beloved church at the end of October, then spent two months in Texas to be near our son and his family. It was a good time. We got to see our 2-year-old granddaughter nearly every day. I was able to do some writing – a novel I have been thinking about for the last few years.
When we left our church, where I have served for 35 years, I was congratulated on my retirement hundreds of times. Again and again and again, I told people, “We are not retiring. We’re just seeing what God has for us next.” Karen and I were completely happy with the idea of being part of a church and helping out in whatever ways we could, though if God directed us into something else, we would be happy about that, too.
While we were in Texas, a denominational official reached out to me to see if I might be interested in being the lead pastor at his home church. I told him that Karen and I would be happy to explore the idea and learn if God might be leading in this direction. We met with a search committee by Zoom and then, when we returned north, met with them in person. We have since met with the board, members of the finance committee, etc.
This weekend, we will meet the church family in a get-to-know-you affair, and on Sunday, I will preach. Afterward, the church family will decide whether or not to call us. If they do, we will be returning to pastoral ministry.
Things have changed since I first started pastoring in the early 1980s. I’m an old dog, and I’m not sure I can learn new tricks. Throw me a bone and I will still chase it. Command me to shake hands, and I’ll lift my paw. But don’t expect me to stand on my back legs and beg.
Karen and I have visited many churches over the past few months: Mennonite, Baptist, Christian Church, Pentecostal, Presbyterian, and more. Since it did not look like we would be in a full-time ministry setting, we thought we would spend some time with our extended Christian family before settling down and finding our niche.
During that time, I’ve seen more than one cool pastor. They dress cool. Their vocabulary is cool. They are not preachers anymore but communicators. But I am a preacher, an expositor. I still wear a blazer on Sundays and parse Greek verbs. I’ve only just learned to use a cell phone, for crying out loud. Will I be able to adapt?
I don’t expect to experience an Eliza Doolittle transformation or want one – at least, not in terms of ministry style. But I want to adapt where adaptation benefits the church and the honor of Christ. To recognize when that is the case requires wisdom, for which I ask God.
If you wouldn’t mind, would you ask God for me as I begin this next adventure? I will be profoundly grateful.
The Way Home 
Shayne, It was so good to see you and Karen yesterday. I want to say that I’m sorry for thinking, like others that you were retiring. I understand how frustrating it must be trying to learn new things, but you know that God is your best teacher. I’ll be in prayer that He leads where He wants you.
Take care,
Deb R.
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Thanks, Deb. It was great to see you, too, and your prayers mean more than I can say.
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“Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine.”
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…and perhaps the time has come. Still, “Woe is me if I preach not the gospel.”
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So happy that we have some “old dogs” left. I am a much older dog than you and
feel that we need more like you…God continue to bless you and lead in your decisions.
Your spirit connects with mine through His Holy Spirit…wonderful fellowship!
Larry
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Thanks, Larry. You’re a great encouragement!
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Just seeing this article this morning thanks to the Lockwood prayer email that went out. Praying for you Shayne and Karen as you settle in and dig into the work in Elkhart! I know God will use you in the lives of the people to make them more like His Son. That’s a trick God has been having you, the “Old Dog” do for many years! Love you guys! And I hope the ND fans are easier to deal with than the maize and blue were! 😄
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Thanks, Matt! We love you too. From what I’ve seen so far, I don’t think that ND fans are any less unbalanced than their Wolverine counterparts! (It’s too bad that not everyone can be civilized like Buckeye fans.)
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Praying God will continue to lead and use you for His Kingdom! We Thank God for you – being God’s shepherd. We miss you both but are blessed to have been a part of your ministry/ teaching.
Thanks. Polly and Bob Parsons
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Thanks, Polly and Bob. What a blessing it is to know you!
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So good, to hear, from you, Shayne and I know you will be, as always, working and preaching, for God’s kingdom. Our best, to you, and Karen. We love you both and will keep you in our prayers. Beckey & Terry Knowles
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Thanks, Beckey and Terry. It means more to us than we can say. And we love you too!
Shayne
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