Gratitude

Psalm 107:8-9
“8 Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love,
for his wonderful works to humankind.
9 For he satisfies the thirsty,
and the hungry he fills with good things.”

Twelve years. That seems like such a long time, but the truth is it went by too fast. Over those
twelve years, we began life as a parsonage family, added three more children, moved four times, and watched God do wonderful works all along the way. Honestly, there were times when we wanted to quit but God would see us through in some miraculous way to keep us moving forward.
Ordination was a quiet goal over the years but the process in our former denomination was a challenge. Ministry was a second career for me. I’d worked in construction sales for several years and when we started part-time in Boston, I continued to work in
various sales jobs. Unfortunately, one of our churches on that first charge closed after a year and a half. I met with my District Superintendent at the time, and we discussed the challenges I’d faced along with those in the future after overseeing a dying church. I don’t remember much about the conversation, but I do remember telling Lowery, “I’m not sure this is how I should feel,
but after closing this church, I want to do this full-time.” I felt had I had the time to invest more, the church might not have closed. It was a naive approach, but it started our family on the path that’s led us to where we are today and an exhaustive path towards ordination that always felt just out of reach.
Going full-time meant a lot of changes, including a 65% decrease in salary! I was informed that I needed to continue my education and complete an undergraduate degree and then seminary. I completed my undergrad over the next three years in Organizational Leadership. One move later we were in Middle Georgia. Away from all our family and friends, it was time to start seminary. I took a couple of years off as we went through the arduous process of Ameliah’s adoption and then started looking at the most prominent schools to attend. Settling on one, I attended my first semester, but God had different plans. The last week of class I came down with appendicitis and almost passed from sepsis a few weeks later on Christmas. Thank God for my bride who fought for me and kept our family going during that time. I truly would not be here without her.
Seminary was not our primary concern at the time and the following years would be fraught with a difficult recovery in various ways. The denomination pressured education and ordination but the cost was expensive, and the timing was not right for our family. Then, move number 4 which led us to where we are today. Most of you know the challenges we faced here as a parsonage family. Between COVID and denominational challenges, school or ordination were the least of our concerns. I was
licensed and that would have to be enough.
Finally, we landed with the Congregational Methodist Church. Keep in mind, most denominations are not as stringent as our former denomination and to be frank, that was one of the main issues I had. If our process was effective, why are we in the position we are in, but I digress. I fought the system and the injustices in our qualifications, at times to my detriment. In the CMC, most of their qualifications had been met through seminary completed, years of service, and courses taken through a license to preach school. After twelve years, I was finally told that I qualified and was worthy to be called Ordained Elder. Twelve years, four moves, four children, two denominations, pain, suffering, wins, losses, and God was in it all to bring us where we are today.
It’s a long story with some details left out that are personal. So many things could have gone differently to change the trajectory of our paths but they didn’t. God could see it all and for that I am grateful. I’m grateful for you as a church and your support in
what is a chapter is coming to an end as a new one begins. Your love and generosity last Sunday were overwhelming, and I will be eternally grateful. I’m grateful for Katie and my family who have gone through so much from classes, moves, and sometimes
weeks without Dad at home. I’m grateful for our new denomination and that as a church you followed the Lord in your decisions that have led us to where we are today. I’m grateful for the prayers, gifts, and patience as we have worked through this process.
I’ve said it before and I will continue to, there is nowhere else I would have rather been than with you in this process.
Ordination, for me, is more than a piece of paper but a conclusion to twelve years of work, tears, and determination to keep moving forward. I praise God for it all, as well as His good works and mercies along the way. Finally, I pray you as a member of this church, The Well at Centerville, feel the love we have for you and know we are forever grateful for all you have done for our
family. We pray we can so order our lives to express our love for you and show our continuing gratitude.

Keep The Faith,
Pastor Tommy