We're moving!

harbarger theory: ain't nothin' constant but change!

After 10 wonderful years as a pastor in New Lexington, we're moving!!

Sometime in late July, we'll be moving into our new home in The Plains, Ohio, where I'll be a pastor at The Plains UM Church.

We are grieving as we contemplate leaving our friends-who-have-become-family in New Lex. We've had a WONDERFUL ministry here in Perry County among some of the best people on earth, but we look forward to another wonderful ministry among more of the best people on earth!

We wanted to move closer to my folks in Jackson, so as to take better care of them. The Bishop and Cabinet have graciously agreed and found a wonderful place for us to work and serve and do ministry.

I have been saying for years from the pulpit, in bible studies and casually that the only people who actually LIKE being changed are babies and most of the them cry through the whole process!!! But ... change is constant, isn't it? The law of biology is that we either change or die. Change or die.

So ... lots of changes ahead of us. We are dreading them and are eager for them. We grieve and we are so excited. We are sad and we are happy. Reminds me of "Two-Face" from the Batman movies and comics! He was always "of two minds" about things. I am of two minds about things right now.

Pray for us. We've never moved without the kids. We've been in this one place (New Lex) longer than any other times in our married lives. It's all about the changes!!

harbarger theory: ain't nothin' constant but change!

harbarger theory: nobody but babies like to be changed ... and even babies usually cry the whole dang time!

I'm currently at a national conference for preacher-types and have heard some amazing people share from their heart ... Brian McLaren, Rob Bell, Bill Hybels, among others. I am blessed to be attending this and rooming with one of my best and longest tenured friends, Schuyler. It's a wonderful thing. Schuyler and I went to seminary together and have stayed close ever since.

What's wonderful is the sharing of a wonderful time like this with powerful messages, inspiring speakers and a whole raft of great resources with a deep friend from whom very little if anything is hidden. We can agree. We can disagree. We can even argue. But, in the end, we love each other like what brothers ought to be. Thanks be to God.

But, I find myself challenged and, if I rise to the challenges, changed. And, although the change (to follow the above metaphor) will rid me of the poopy and messiness of my past. Somehow, I am loathe to do this. Maybe it's the devil I know instead of the devil I don't. Not sure. But I loathe change.

But, as Bill Bryson made so very clear in his wonderful book "A Short History Of Just About Everything", we, who are organic, either change ... or die. So, change is a part of life, isn't it? I need to change and be a better pastor ... a better leader ... a better husband ... a better father ... a better son ... a better Christian ... a better man.

So, begins my next step into change. Man, what is that stink, anyway? Oh yea, it's the stuff that needs to be gotten rid of in the change!! But, I'll still cry all the way through it, I suspect. What a big baby!!!

harbarger theory: nobody but babies like to be changed ... and even babies usually cry the whole dang time!