Seeing Change Coming

I grew up in rural farm country, where there are no lines painted on the roads, or streetlights to mark the way. I spent time living in Upstate SC where windy mountain roads often surprise drivers because they don't have guide rails on many of the steep banks.

Surprises can be deadly to a driver if they aren't given warning to what coming around the bend. Similarly, surprise changes can rock a church congregation if they haven't been prepped for what lies ahead. Randall and Renewal churches both have pretty major transitions ahead that I would like to bring attention to.

First, the Renewal Church family needs to be made aware that I have been named the candidate for Lead Pastor at Randall, our sending church in Williamsville, NY. While I love church planting, and am excited and honored to serve as Pastor to our family of Christ followers at Renewal, I am open to the possibility of giving God my best in a different context as well. If Randall Church were to vote to receive me as their Lead Pastor, steps have been put in place by church leadership for Pastor Dan Davis to become the Lead Pastor of Renewal Church. 

Second, the Randall Church family needs to know that I do not assume that things have been finalized, or that a decision has been reached by the voting congregation at 6301 Main Street. It is my desire to be open and transparent with you as we prayerfully move through the process together. We have some weeks to go in the process, designed intentionally for us to feel one another out, and see if God is calling us all to step out on the water together. Know that regardless of my own candidacy, change is the future for Randall Church, and God has a terrific plan for you!

As I learned to drive on dimly lit country roads, I became familiar with many of the potential obstacles in the way. The level of fear in my father's eyes in regards to my rate of speed and knowledge of the terrain eventually subsided. As I grew accustomed to mountain driving in SC, I began to notice caution areas with blind curves, steep drops, etc., long before I drove up on them in a hazardous manner.

In the same way, talking about change before it comes will always be an incredibly helpful process. I ask for you to pray daily with us all that Jesus would shine His light clearly pointing us toward whatever lies ahead. Yes, I believe the future of both Renewal and Randall Churches is bright with promise as we pursue God's mission for His Church. As Paul said in Philippians 3, "Forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."

Milo Wilson

@milowilson