There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.  (1 John 4:18a)

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But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people.' (Luke 2:10)

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Wake Forest Presbyterian is the fourth church I’ve served as transitional pastor in New Hope Presbytery. I knew back when entering the ministry in 2008 that I had gifts for navigating loss and grief that the church might be able to use. But I didn’t know then how well those gifts fit into the work of transition – or enduring a pandemic. There’s no doubt the church is not what it “used to be” prior to the retirement of the head of staff, or prior to COVID.

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And yet, the gospel calls us to what lies ahead. Our Creator God is always on the move and simply asks us to keep up and follow! During change and the loss that comes with it, hearts and minds open to new ways of embracing the seeds God is sowing in this very moment. I love working with a congregation as it discovers new ways of interpreting its past, new perspectives on who it has become, and new dreams of how it can even more fully live into the vision God has for it today. It’s my privilege and honor to have been called as your partner in discipleship as we discover, together, how this time of uncertainty and change might root us more deeply in Christ, grow us stronger in faith, and inspire energized ways of reaching out to others in hope, faith, and love.