Dear People of Lamoine Baptist Church,
It's time. It is time for me to seek a new calling. And it is time, too, I believe for Lamoine Baptist Church to explore new vistas, even as you celebrate your 200th anniversary. So with this letter I submit to you my resignation as your Pastor.
Thank you very much for your support-spiritual, emotional, and financial-since I went on medical leave of absence at the end of last August. I'm on the road to recovery from burnout, but I don't know how far along I am. It has become clear to me, however, that I should not plan to return to pastoral ministry in Lamoine. For one thing, I don't know how long my journey on this road will be, and I can't expect you to keep on hold waiting to find out. For another, there is the danger that if I do return as Pastor, I may fall back into old patterns of the ways I used to do things, and some of those patterns might point me back toward burnout.
Beyond those considerations, I think the time has come for me to explore other possibilities for ministry. I would like to concentrate more on writing and theological reflection. I don't know yet what shape a new calling might take. But I do have this conviction: I will have to step out on faith before God opens the way. The story of the people of Israel crossing the Jordan River to enter the promised land keeps coming back to me. The people broke camp and went down to the river. Only when the feet of the priests carrying the ark of the covenant touched the water did the river's flow become a wall of water, leaving the river bed dry for the people to cross (Joshua 3:14-17).
The America Baptist Churches of Maine, and in particular Paul Dodge, our Association Resource Minister, have been very helpful to me and I know they have been of great help to you also these last five months. They will continue to offer their guidance and support as you consider looking for a new pastor.
I would like to have a final worship service with you, perhaps on Sunday, March 1, twenty-five years after that first Sunday in March, 1984, when I led worship at Lamoine Baptist Church for the first time as your Pastor. I would like to gather around the Lord's Table one more time with you.
May God's blessing continue to abide with you!
David Paul Henry
Monday, February 2, 2009
Sunday, November 23, 2008
A Note from Pastor Jim
"Looking to the Future"
Some, if not all of you, are asking the question, "Where do we go from here?" I believe the word is FAITH! it is time to exercise our faith in our Lord. It would appear that God is asking us to TRUST Him to do what He has promised to do.
As I thought what I might share with you, Proverbs 3:5-6 came to me. "Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your understanding: in all ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight." If we are able to really Praise our Lord we must exercise trust in Him which requires that we believe Him and His ability to do as He has promised. Take a moment to read the whole chapter Proverbs 3 which teaches us the principles of being wise in a crumbling world.
Though there are many other Scriptures I could reference , I want to leave you with Phillippians 1:3-6. "I thank my God every time I remember you. In my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. BEING CONFIDENT OF THIS, THAT HE WHO BEGAN A GOOD WORK IN YOU WILL CARRY IT ON TO COMPLETION UNTIL THE DAY OF JESUS CHRIST." God is not through with you yet! As you read these lines, know that the Master has you firmly in His hands. Be confident in your faith, know that God is in control.
God bless you. Continue to allow God to form your character as you wait upon Him and as you follow His lead in the days & weeks to come Continue to anticipate His working through you to bring honor and glory to His name. Remember, God truly loves you and always will.
As I thought what I might share with you, Proverbs 3:5-6 came to me. "Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your understanding: in all ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight." If we are able to really Praise our Lord we must exercise trust in Him which requires that we believe Him and His ability to do as He has promised. Take a moment to read the whole chapter Proverbs 3 which teaches us the principles of being wise in a crumbling world.
Though there are many other Scriptures I could reference , I want to leave you with Phillippians 1:3-6. "I thank my God every time I remember you. In my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. BEING CONFIDENT OF THIS, THAT HE WHO BEGAN A GOOD WORK IN YOU WILL CARRY IT ON TO COMPLETION UNTIL THE DAY OF JESUS CHRIST." God is not through with you yet! As you read these lines, know that the Master has you firmly in His hands. Be confident in your faith, know that God is in control.
God bless you. Continue to allow God to form your character as you wait upon Him and as you follow His lead in the days & weeks to come Continue to anticipate His working through you to bring honor and glory to His name. Remember, God truly loves you and always will.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
LETTER TO THE CONGREGATION FROM PASTOR HENRY
October, 2008
Dear People of Lamoine Baptist Church
At the end of August, Mary and I went to the Center for Career Deveiopment and Ministry in Dedham, Massachusetts, for an intensive two-day program of vocational evaluation anad career counseling. We went seeking answers to sevcral questions. How would Mary and I best work together on the recovery home for women we are planning? How would my involvement with the recovery home fit around or coordinate with my work as pastor? How can we deepen our marriage and strengthen our family life while doing these things? After twenty-four years as Pastor of Lamoine Baptist Church, should I consider a change? What possibilities are we not seeing? Where is God leading our family?
The Center for Career Development and Ministrry was founded by the American Baptist Chuirches USA in 1976 to provide career development services for its personnel. It now provides career counseling and vocational assessment services for several denominations for candidates for ministry, pastors, missionaries, and for other occupations as well.
We did not get very far answering our questions. Instead, the Center sent me home with a prescription: stop and rest. "David is a highly responsible and generous individual,ur prayers. And we are very grateful to Paul Resource Minister, Paul Dodge, to ask him to help me and the church figure out how to manage my leave of absence.
So I have not performed any pastoral duties since returning home from the Center (with one exception: a wedding on Saturday, Septemberr 27). I am seeing a counselor. And I have been getting some rest, but I don't feel that the "deep rest" has arrived yet.
To questions about the future, I have only one answer: I don't know. How long will I be on leave? Will I come back as pastor? If not, what will I do? Will plans for the recovery home go forward? I don't know. As the song goes, I don't know what the future holds, but I know who holds the future.
In the midst of all the uncertainty, our family is doing well. I am spending more time with Mary, Kelly, and Robyn. Robyn's new adventure this fall is running cross country. Kelly is excited about singing, among other things, and looking forward to cheerleading season. And Mary continues a busy combination of volunteer work and recovery home planning.
Several of you have sent beautiful cards and wonderful notes full of encouragement and support. Thank you very muich - I treasure each one. We really appreciate your prayers. And we are grateful to Paul Dodge for his help and guideance.
Know that we are keeping you and the church and its ministry in our prayers. May God's blessing continue to be upon you.
Dear People of Lamoine Baptist Church
At the end of August, Mary and I went to the Center for Career Deveiopment and Ministry in Dedham, Massachusetts, for an intensive two-day program of vocational evaluation anad career counseling. We went seeking answers to sevcral questions. How would Mary and I best work together on the recovery home for women we are planning? How would my involvement with the recovery home fit around or coordinate with my work as pastor? How can we deepen our marriage and strengthen our family life while doing these things? After twenty-four years as Pastor of Lamoine Baptist Church, should I consider a change? What possibilities are we not seeing? Where is God leading our family?
The Center for Career Development and Ministrry was founded by the American Baptist Chuirches USA in 1976 to provide career development services for its personnel. It now provides career counseling and vocational assessment services for several denominations for candidates for ministry, pastors, missionaries, and for other occupations as well.
We did not get very far answering our questions. Instead, the Center sent me home with a prescription: stop and rest. "David is a highly responsible and generous individual,ur prayers. And we are very grateful to Paul Resource Minister, Paul Dodge, to ask him to help me and the church figure out how to manage my leave of absence.
So I have not performed any pastoral duties since returning home from the Center (with one exception: a wedding on Saturday, Septemberr 27). I am seeing a counselor. And I have been getting some rest, but I don't feel that the "deep rest" has arrived yet.
To questions about the future, I have only one answer: I don't know. How long will I be on leave? Will I come back as pastor? If not, what will I do? Will plans for the recovery home go forward? I don't know. As the song goes, I don't know what the future holds, but I know who holds the future.
In the midst of all the uncertainty, our family is doing well. I am spending more time with Mary, Kelly, and Robyn. Robyn's new adventure this fall is running cross country. Kelly is excited about singing, among other things, and looking forward to cheerleading season. And Mary continues a busy combination of volunteer work and recovery home planning.
Several of you have sent beautiful cards and wonderful notes full of encouragement and support. Thank you very muich - I treasure each one. We really appreciate your prayers. And we are grateful to Paul Dodge for his help and guideance.
Know that we are keeping you and the church and its ministry in our prayers. May God's blessing continue to be upon you.
Monday, July 14, 2008
THOUGHTS FROM THE PASTOR
It did not look like a great day for baptism, not at first. The air was chilly and thick with fog and mist; the skies were gray and threatening to rain. This was not the warm, sunny end-of-June day I had wanted. Not for such a special baptism. True, every baptism is special. But this day, I would have the privilege of baptizing my own daughter, Kelly.
The car caravan moved from the sanctuary to Blunt's Pond, bouncing gingerly down the dirt road into the park. We gathered at the water's edge. There before us stretched a vast openness. Nothing on the far shore could be seen. In the fog there was no clear horizon between the waters below and the waters above.
It was as if we stood in a portal opening into eternity. There was no wind. Members of the Parks Commission were there to work; they put down their chainsaws and stood silently. Even the insects were still. John Weaver, Kelly and I headed out into the cloud.
My daughter was first. "Kelly Henry, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." I placed her under the water But from the perspective of those on shore, in the material world, Kelly completely disappeared. Then she rose up again, water pouring off, smiling joyfully. She came into shore to warm towels and hugs. John was next. "John Weaver, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." He, too, left sight completely. Rising up, he strode confidently to the shore.
Baptized in water, sealed by the Spirit,
dead in the tomb with Christ, our King;
one with his rising, freed and forgiven,
thankfully now God's praises we sing.
We had sung those words (by Michael Saward, sung to the tune of "Morning Has Broken") before the three of us left shore. Now, returned to land, Kelly, John and I held hands and sang "Amazing Grace."
'Twas grace that taught my hear to fear,
and grace my fears relieved;
how precious did that grace appear
the hour I first believed!
Some there had never before witnessed a baptism done in the Baptist tradition. Several were quite moved by what they had seen and felt.
As for me ... sometimes I ask God for a warm, sunny day. And God says no. And gives me something better.
The car caravan moved from the sanctuary to Blunt's Pond, bouncing gingerly down the dirt road into the park. We gathered at the water's edge. There before us stretched a vast openness. Nothing on the far shore could be seen. In the fog there was no clear horizon between the waters below and the waters above.
It was as if we stood in a portal opening into eternity. There was no wind. Members of the Parks Commission were there to work; they put down their chainsaws and stood silently. Even the insects were still. John Weaver, Kelly and I headed out into the cloud.
My daughter was first. "Kelly Henry, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." I placed her under the water But from the perspective of those on shore, in the material world, Kelly completely disappeared. Then she rose up again, water pouring off, smiling joyfully. She came into shore to warm towels and hugs. John was next. "John Weaver, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." He, too, left sight completely. Rising up, he strode confidently to the shore.
Baptized in water, sealed by the Spirit,
dead in the tomb with Christ, our King;
one with his rising, freed and forgiven,
thankfully now God's praises we sing.
We had sung those words (by Michael Saward, sung to the tune of "Morning Has Broken") before the three of us left shore. Now, returned to land, Kelly, John and I held hands and sang "Amazing Grace."
'Twas grace that taught my hear to fear,
and grace my fears relieved;
how precious did that grace appear
the hour I first believed!
Some there had never before witnessed a baptism done in the Baptist tradition. Several were quite moved by what they had seen and felt.
As for me ... sometimes I ask God for a warm, sunny day. And God says no. And gives me something better.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
THOUGHTS FROM THE PASTOR
It was good, preparing for the last Sunday in May, to find, in the Bible Readings for Worship, marvelous expressions of hope.
I don't ned to tell you that it is easy to be consumed by worry these days. Where do we turn for hope? The Psalm reading said this: "Put your hope in the LORD both now and forevermore" (Psalm 131:3).
The fabric of the American conomy looks like it might be unraveling. The Gospel reading came from the middle of the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus says: "Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear" (Matthew 6:25). Look at the birds of the air, Jesus continues. Consider the lilies. God feeds them well and clothes them in splendor and you are much more valuable than they. Seek first God's kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Hard times could come. We might find ourselves repeating the words of Zion in Isaiah 49, the Old Testament reading: "Zion said, 'The LORD has forsaken me, the Lord has forgotten me.' " Here is God's reply: "Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands" (Isaiah 49: 14-16).
These are not promises that hard times will not come. But they are promises that in hard times, God will sustain those who place their trust in God. "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death," we read in Psalm 23:3. "I will fear no evil, for thou art with me."
Recently, I visited a lady who perhaps might have needed some encouragement in hr circumstances. She was an encouragement to me. She told me that she had lived through the Depression and World War 2. God was with her through those hard times, she exclaimed, and God was with her now. Her faith was strong, her spirits high. She did not understand how people could live without faith. She wonderd how younger generations (including mine) that have not experienced truly hard times would fare should hard times come.
Good question, I thought. For my generation, the illusion was noted by the sixties rock band, The Mothers of Invention: "It couldn't happen here." That illusion, it seems to me, still has a pretty firm hold despite 9/11, Katrina, and this year's tornadoes and flooding. If it does happen here, what will we do?
The lady of strong faith has a powerful recommendation: "Put your hope i the LORD both now and forevemore."
I don't ned to tell you that it is easy to be consumed by worry these days. Where do we turn for hope? The Psalm reading said this: "Put your hope in the LORD both now and forevermore" (Psalm 131:3).
The fabric of the American conomy looks like it might be unraveling. The Gospel reading came from the middle of the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus says: "Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear" (Matthew 6:25). Look at the birds of the air, Jesus continues. Consider the lilies. God feeds them well and clothes them in splendor and you are much more valuable than they. Seek first God's kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Hard times could come. We might find ourselves repeating the words of Zion in Isaiah 49, the Old Testament reading: "Zion said, 'The LORD has forsaken me, the Lord has forgotten me.' " Here is God's reply: "Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands" (Isaiah 49: 14-16).
These are not promises that hard times will not come. But they are promises that in hard times, God will sustain those who place their trust in God. "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death," we read in Psalm 23:3. "I will fear no evil, for thou art with me."
Recently, I visited a lady who perhaps might have needed some encouragement in hr circumstances. She was an encouragement to me. She told me that she had lived through the Depression and World War 2. God was with her through those hard times, she exclaimed, and God was with her now. Her faith was strong, her spirits high. She did not understand how people could live without faith. She wonderd how younger generations (including mine) that have not experienced truly hard times would fare should hard times come.
Good question, I thought. For my generation, the illusion was noted by the sixties rock band, The Mothers of Invention: "It couldn't happen here." That illusion, it seems to me, still has a pretty firm hold despite 9/11, Katrina, and this year's tornadoes and flooding. If it does happen here, what will we do?
The lady of strong faith has a powerful recommendation: "Put your hope i the LORD both now and forevemore."
Saturday, May 10, 2008
VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED FOR SUMMER SUNDAY SCHOOL.
The pastor is on vacation. Pastor's Thoughts will return in June. In the interim, keep our pastor and his family in yours prayers.
ATTENTION PLEASE: WOMEN WANTED!
Are you female? If you are, you are part of Lamoine Baptist Church Women's Ministries. We are in the process of trying to bring a bit more organization to our group and set up a better system to communicate with one another and the church family.
We want everyone to feel part of the group, whether it be helping to cook and serve food for a reception or helping to decide how much to send to a misssion ned and everything in-between. Wee need your ideas and participation .
If you are interested, contact Jan Smith, Kay Whitaker or Mildred Jordan.
EVENING PRAISE AND WORSHIP
On April 27, the second "Evening Praise and Worship" was held in the chapel. Great music and worship was led by Chris Madden. We heard a challenging and thought-provoking video message by Louis Giglio and enjoyed popcorn and snacks together. The message was "Indescribable," which maps the new discoveries of the "known universe" to map the greatness of God. The images from the Hubble Space Telescope were breathtaking!
Thanks to Jake Holmgren for running sound, Belina Crider for backup vocals, and of course, Chris for anchoring the music. We are looking forward to the next service on June 1.
SPECIAL BUSINESS MEETING
A special business meeting was held on April 7. It was voted to receive Kathy and Ron McGlinchey for church membership by letter of transfer.
After much discussion, the Dessert Theater Operation Proposal was tabled until the affected committees have the opportunity to discuss the proposal.
SPRING PLANNING CONFERENCE
The Spring Planning Conference was held after the special business meeting. A key item for discussion was the consideration of granting a Local Church License for Bonnie Moretto. After Bonnie gave her testimony and discussion of her possible role in the ministry of our church, a Business Meeting was set for May 12 at 7 PM.
Our church's bicentennial will be next year. Carolyn Ackerman nd Marion McFarland are setting up a committee to plan special events surrounding this event.
The pastor is on vacation. Pastor's Thoughts will return in June. In the interim, keep our pastor and his family in yours prayers.
ATTENTION PLEASE: WOMEN WANTED!
Are you female? If you are, you are part of Lamoine Baptist Church Women's Ministries. We are in the process of trying to bring a bit more organization to our group and set up a better system to communicate with one another and the church family.
We want everyone to feel part of the group, whether it be helping to cook and serve food for a reception or helping to decide how much to send to a misssion ned and everything in-between. Wee need your ideas and participation .
If you are interested, contact Jan Smith, Kay Whitaker or Mildred Jordan.
EVENING PRAISE AND WORSHIP
On April 27, the second "Evening Praise and Worship" was held in the chapel. Great music and worship was led by Chris Madden. We heard a challenging and thought-provoking video message by Louis Giglio and enjoyed popcorn and snacks together. The message was "Indescribable," which maps the new discoveries of the "known universe" to map the greatness of God. The images from the Hubble Space Telescope were breathtaking!
Thanks to Jake Holmgren for running sound, Belina Crider for backup vocals, and of course, Chris for anchoring the music. We are looking forward to the next service on June 1.
SPECIAL BUSINESS MEETING
A special business meeting was held on April 7. It was voted to receive Kathy and Ron McGlinchey for church membership by letter of transfer.
After much discussion, the Dessert Theater Operation Proposal was tabled until the affected committees have the opportunity to discuss the proposal.
SPRING PLANNING CONFERENCE
The Spring Planning Conference was held after the special business meeting. A key item for discussion was the consideration of granting a Local Church License for Bonnie Moretto. After Bonnie gave her testimony and discussion of her possible role in the ministry of our church, a Business Meeting was set for May 12 at 7 PM.
Our church's bicentennial will be next year. Carolyn Ackerman nd Marion McFarland are setting up a committee to plan special events surrounding this event.
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