This might come as a surprise, but yesterday was my last day as pastor of Reston Community Church. I stepped down after a series of consultations with five, dear pastor-friends who helped me transition the church.
I've come to realize that as a pastor, I have not been operating out of my top gifts, which has exhausted me both spiritually and emotionally over the past few years.
I'm entrepreneurial, so starting the church 6 years ago was right up my alley. And I'm strategically-minded, so shaping an empowering organization was thrilling for me. I'm a producer by nature, so I lived for big Sundays. But for RCC to go to the next level, they need someone with a true pastor's heart.
I plan to spend the next four months making Whiteboard into a world-class event. But then I have no idea where God will lead Ainsley and me next.
This was a very difficult decision because our hearts bleed for the people of RCC. The church is our baby. But I'm leaving behind a thriving church with a strong leadership team, and they're full of faith that God is going to do incredible things through this church.
As for me, this decision took more faith than starting the church in the first place. I have more to lose, less certainty, a mortgage, a wife, and two small kids to care for. But there's something liberating about blindly following God's leading. I like not being in charge... seeing where the ride will take me.
I've closed comments to be sensitive to readers from my church, but my e-mail address is barment@gmail.com.
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