Changes!

Some big changes are coming down in my life, so it’s about time to update you.

I’ve resigned as Lead Pastor at Deer Park Alliance Church and I’m going back to school.

I’m incredibly happy with this decision, though it was an unbelievably emotional decision to make.  I was going to say that it was a difficult decision to make, but, in the end, it really wasn’t.

It FELT difficult.

Why did it feel difficult?  Relationships.

God has given us some of the richest relationships in our 15 years of pastoral ministry here at Deer Park.  The thought of the risk that change brings, and how that change would affect those relationships made the decision FEEL very difficult.  We love you, Deer Park friends.  We always will.

But the decision itself was simple.

God made it abundantly clear to me over the past two months that his specific anointing on me for this task of lead pastor has been lifted.  Simultaneously, God has been crystal clear about moving forward with school and preparation for a more specific gospel ministry in teaching and multiplying gospel preachers.

I am so excited.

And I can’t wait to share the story with you as Lori and I, and the kids embark on the next great obedience adventure that God has given to us.

I am enrolling in the MA (BTS) degree program at Ambrose Seminary in Calgary.  It is the thesis-based, research and academics preparation degree that Ambrose offers.  I’m so looking forward to taking the next few years and re-thinking and deep thinking everything that is important to me.  The supremacy of Jesus, the life-changing truth of the gospel, the church, and God’s mission to rescue and heal are going to get every bit of attention that they deserve as a result of this opportunity.

I am also looking for a real job.  So I wouldn’t mind your prayerful petitions.

i’ll be posting as much as I can on this adventure, and I’d love it if you’d come along for the ride.

The shape of this blog is going to change as well as the domain name.  You can watch for it in the next week.

I’m planning out two new blogs for this next stage of life and ministry.  One dedicated to personally reflecting on life, family, sport, and all things deeply important to me.  The other blog will be a new one dedicated solely to preaching the gospel.  It will be a blog focussed entirely on my passion and central calling.  And it will be a way for me to stay deeply connected to not only the practice of preaching, but also the progress that God is making in expanding Canadians’ desire for gospel truth.

Thanks for staying tuned, friends!!