The senior pastor of our congregation, Rev. Greg Finke, has requested and been granted a “peaceful release” from his divine call to shepherd this particular flock. The reasons for this are only partly known to me at this point, so I’ll not comment on them.
Some folks in our congregation are upset at this development, and understandably so. Regardless of the reasons for the separation of a congregation and it’s senior pastor, such separations are never easy for everyone. Some will take it in stride, while some will go through a grief process of sorts because of their love for both the pastor and the congregation.
So the challenge for me and my fellow Christians at Gloria Dei is to endure the loss of our pastor, engage — yet again — in the process of issuing a call to another pastor, while continuing to be who we are called to be as God’s people in this time and place, in a truly peaceful and constructive way. Not an easy thing.
Pray for us and for Rev. Finke, if you are so inclined. The coming days will be challenging for all.