Today was a big day for Keri and me. I announced to the wonderful congregation called Bon Air Baptist that we are assuming a new role in ministry--something that feels like the culmination of 25 years as a pastor in 4 amazing churches and 7 years as a missionary. If you have time to read it, below is the letter I read to the Personnel Team last Monday evening. I am a blessed man--for both my past and future. It is with profound gratitude in my heart for having had the privilege of serving as the Senior Pastor of the Bon Air Baptist Church for nearly twelve years, and with great anticipation for the future, that I submit my resignation effective March 7, 2014. Keri and I are leaving to pursue a sense of calling, and to fulfill what we believe to be my greatest strengths and passions, in arenas other than on the staff of a local church. I will be the Director of Mission Advancement for Fresh Expressions US, helping churches in Virginia and around the country launch fresh expressions of church—communities that exhibit all the elements of a church yet do not look like typical congregations—all for the purpose of reaching people who never will be reached via conventional forms of church. In that role I will be supported financially by the Virginia Baptist Mission Board. I also will help churches with important processes, such as conflict, vision and transition, through the Center for Healthy Churches. Most of my time outside my Fresh Expressions responsibilities will be spent in this consultative role. In addition to that, I have a book on vocational ministry coming out in the fall which The Columbia Partnership, a Church Consulting Firm, will parlay into some workshops, webinars and so on. Moreover, I hope to be able to write and speak, and perhaps to serve from time to time as an Interim Preacher. This seems to Keri and me to be the culmination of all the wonderful experiences we’ve had through seven years as missionaries and twenty-five years in the pastorate, combined with my academic preparation in the area of cross-cultural missions. I always will be honored to say that I was the Pastor of the Bon Air Baptist Church, and I expect that far greater things are to come for you. I ask for your blessing and even your commissioning as Keri and I take this step. In turn, I promise to continue to pray for you, your transition, and your future. With tremendous gratitude and deep, genuine love, Travis
Posted on: Mon, 10 Feb 2014 02:12:17 +0000
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