Of Epic Stories & Answered Questions

Yes, this is a letter of resignation. I think it is important that we get that out of the way at the outset.  

But this is not a typical letter of resignation, perhaps because this is not a typical resignation. To help you understand what I mean, I need to tell you an epic story and then answer three questions. Then we’ll perhaps be a bit more ready to face the future together, in a manner of speaking. 

The Story: 

Four years ago, I stumbled across a job description for a church in Jupiter, Florida. I was finishing my dissertation and praying about what was next for me and my family. Sally and I weren’t looking to go just anywhere, we wanted to go somewhere. We longed to find a place where we could put down roots; I wanted a church where I could serve until retirement … a last call, as it were. JupiterFIRST looked to have all the right pieces of the puzzle. The location was great, the ecumenical spirit was a breath of fresh air, and my doctoral work led me to the conclusion that JupiterFIRST was poised to be the type of church after which the next generation of churches would model themselves. I perceived that it would be the kind of church that resonated with the next generation. But that wasn’t all that compelled us. 

The job description had the usual requests, like a “dynamic, skillful preacher” and someone able to “embrace a collaborative process.” These were things which came natural to me. But it intrigued me because the church also longed for a candidate that would “encourage forward thinking initiatives,” be “imaginative, authentic, and relevant,” and “demonstrate integrity and model Christian character.” Check, check, …and CHECK! I could feel my heart beating fast. I was overjoyed at the prospect of coming alongside a church that desired to “create an atmosphere and environment that attracts young families” and, especially, to “enhance and broaden the congregation’s spiritual understanding of their faith.” To me, this showed a congregation that was aware of their current predicament (which is a very good sign) and desired to do the hard work to be a vibrant church for all ages and stages of faith. Not many churches are willing to make the sacrifices necessary to adjust in order to be what they long to be. 

Over the course of the interview process, we learned a lot about each other. I learned about the church’s strengths and weaknesses, its opportunities and threats. I am certain that they learned a bit about mine. But in the end, through a fairly miraculous series of events, we decided to join together to do the work of transformation in ourselves and this community. And we had some magnificent moments over the years! To name few… 

100’s of Adult Baptisms (usually at sunrise on Easter), the highest summer participation ever as we became a year-round church, new growth and stability in youth and children, a revamped and growing Confirmation Class, a huge increase in missing demographics, a top-to-bottom Financial Review (which came back stellar), a rewrite of the Bylaws, a significantly advantageous Mortgage Refinance, the hiring and promoting of some incredible staff, the New Testament Challenge, developed a Social Justice Task Force, and so many other things. But for me personally, the greatest moments were those one-on-one conversations with those who dropped by my always-open door. We may have succeeded in a lot of accomplishments over a short period of time, but the most important thing that we accomplished  was igniting forward momentum in the spiritual journey of many, many people. The greatest thing that we did together is to be found in your story of growth. 

Question 1:
“Pastor Kevin, I’ve heard a lot through the grapevine recently from people that I trust, and what I heard concerned me and I want to know if it’s true.”  

Well, first, you need to hear both sides of the story! For those who have reached out to ask me about the veracity of anything they have heard, thank you. You are a gift to me, and you are a gift to this congregation. You stand in great company with Jesus who encouraged us to go directly to people (in Matthew 18, for one) rather than to others.  

But at the end of the day, who do you trust? Well, in life when it’s a he-said/she-said scenario, it’s always best to side with the facts rather than the rumors. The fact is, I have a “never delete anything… ever” policy, so I was able to clearly and completely, with mountains of evidence, refute the false and defamatory claims that were made about me.  

They simply weren’t and aren’t true. And for that reason, I suspect much (if not all) of what you heard wasn’t true either. If you want to verify anything you heard, let me know.  

Question 2: 
“But, Pastor Kevin! You were fully exonerated by, not one but, two fully-independent, third-party, deep-diving investigations that were meant to dig up anything and everything that you might have done wrong here… ever. Why would an innocent man just walk away when he has been fully cleared, TWICE?!”  

That is a more difficult question to answer, and perhaps, that is the question. While I am grateful to have been completely exonerated—many witnesses having been found to have been outright dishonest—and be able to walk away with my character and integrity fully intact, it is still time for me to go. 

And there are two reasons: 

First, it is clear that my work here is done. God is not done with me, but God is done with me here. For new pastors who follow a long-tenured predecessor, the first few years are spent allowing and encouraging the congregation to rediscover who it is and who it wishes to be. Often, the new pastors who arrive during that period of self-rediscovery become “unintentional interims” as the church decides who it thought it wanted to be wasn’t quite on the mark. While difficult for the pastor sometimes caught in the middle, it’s an important step for a congregation, and that has happened here. I suspect that the picture will become clearer very quickly. 

I am reminded of that story in the ancient scrolls of the Old Testament’s first book of Kings (3:16-28) when the wise King Solomon was faced with two women who said a baby was their own child. Certainly, both women couldn’t be the biological mother. Calling for a sword, Solomon ordered the baby be divided between the two warring women. In so doing, Solomon discovered the true mother. She was the one that shouted in horror: “Give the living child to the other women, so as not to kill it.”  

Sometimes, the most difficult thing to do is also the most loving.  

And that is a great segue into the second reason I am resigning after having been fully exonerated. I want to model something that is all too rare in the USAmerican Church: The Grace of Letting Go. Good pastors begin a new pastorate with an eye on the day that they will no longer be in “the chair.” You don’t want a pastor who clings to their call at all costs. That is serving self, not Christ. You want a minister who understands that they are simply an undershepherd of the Good Shepherd and, as such, a temporary steward of the flock in their care. By letting go of something that was never mine, I hope to help us understand how to better live our faith. 

Over the last couple of months, I have heard something of an odd refrain from among some congregants: statements like “this is MY church” or “this is OUR church.” This is a very disconcerting,  if not dangerous, line of thinking. For that reason, I have never thought or acted as though this was my church or even our church. By the grace of letting go, I hope to model that not only is this not my church or your church, but this is Christ’s church alone, his beautiful bride.  

I’ve also heard, sadly more than once, that this staffer or another is the “heart and soul” of this church. While pastors always appreciate knowing their work is seen and appreciated, we must resist making to much of the importance of any particular clergy …even and especially me! We should not forget the strong rebuke of 1 Corinthians 1:10-17 in such matters. Jesus has a clear opinion in regard to popularity contests among his servants, and Paul reminds us that we follow Christ, not Kevin, not any other person. 

Question 3: 
“Okay, so you’re leaving P.K. where do we all go from here?” 

Well, honestly, I can’t answer that for you or for JupiterFIRST Church. I imagine that there are some who are going to be shocked, frustrated, or even downright angry with me. That anger may be due to the surprise of my resigning or because of other frustrations you might have with my leadership. I suppose that there may even be a few who will take to expressing those emotions through hurtful rather than productive means. I’d encourage us all to find healthy and redemptive ways of dealing with our sadness, pain, anger or grief. 

You should know that I am chief among those with sorrow. We had much left to do together here, but I serve at the pleasure of the congregation and answer to an Audience of One. He has released me, and it is for the best. Sometimes we must lay our hopes and dreams on the altar of faith and recognize that our leg of the race is complete. I am certain that God is saying to me: Well done my good and faithful servant. I have run this leg of my race well, and I know that I have honored Christ with my every action and word. 

But I know that the days ahead for JupiterFIRST may seem a bit uncertain as you tackle the next leg of your race. It’s okay, and you will be okay. We serve a big God who knows just what to do in these situations. Let’s let Him navigate! I pray you’ll be in capable hands from here, but my burden of responsibility for the direction and future of JupiterFIRST has now been released. I can cheer you on— and you can count on my deafening shouts of praise for every God-thing you do—but you are responsible for your course from here. I am confident that you are more ready now than you were four years ago when I first arrived, so Godspeed! 

But you may ask, “Where are you personally going from here Pastor Kevin?” Well, I’ll be honest, …I don’t rightly know yet! 🙂  I know I plan to stay put (remember, I’m putting down roots if the Lord will allow it). You’ll probably see me around in Publix, probably even the occasional worship service, and definitely online. It might be awkward at first, but we’ll get used to the new normal. We might as well get used to it, we’re going to be spending a lot of time together in the hereafter. So, don’t avoid me; public shunning or shaming is never attractive for children of God. There is far too much of that these days. So let’s be different! The “church” isn’t a building anyway. The Bible uses the word “church” for a group of people who are “called out” to be different. Let’s start acting differently. 

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It has been a blessing to be your pastor; one of the great blessings and joys of my life. It ended far too soon in my estimation, but I have no regrets. And, I suppose in a manner of speaking, in some ways I will always be your pastor. I have always and will continue to love JupiterFIRST more deeply than you could ever fully comprehend—there is a special spiritual bond between a pastor’s soul and their congregation. I will be on the sidelines, cheering this church along. Every hill that you successfully surmount will find me beaming about your progress and growth. Every new life brought into lockstep with Jesus will see me shouting for joy.  

But I also want you to personally know that I will always be here for you if and when you need me, be it tomorrow or a decade or more from now. Never hesitate to reach out and re-connect.  

Here is how you can reach me… 

• Facebook:  www.facebook.com/kevinmyoung 
• Website:  www.kmyoung.com 
• Text/Cell: 561 . two-three-one . 0335

Let’s not forget that we have shared some wonderful times together, and time has a way of allowing us to remember those moments. 

May the Lord bless you and keep you. 

May the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. 

May God’s face radiate with joy because of you and bring you peace. 

Pastor Kevin 

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