Hey Fusion Family,
Whether you realized it or not, this is the last email I will send to you and the Fusion Family for the next two months. Hopefully, back in May you read through our annual report and if you did, you learned that as a church, for almost the last decade, we have elevated as a valuable rhythm in our ministry, the practice of offering an extended Sabbatical to those who serve in leadership at Fusion Community Church every 7 years.
To share a little bit of history, in May of 2009 I stepped into the position of Lead Pastor at what was Cobleskill Wesleyan Church, and would become Fusion Community Church. It is hard to fathom that we just crossed over 15 years that I have been serving in this role. It has truly been a joyride filled with exciting days and challenging days, but God's faithfulness has been constant and unwavering.
Eight years ago, through the wisdom of one of my mentors, our District Superintendent, he could see the weariness in me. The calling God had placed on my life and the dynamic expansion of our ministry here was undeniable, and he encouraged our Board of Elders at the time to offer me a Sabbatical that summer. What I didn't know at the time was how close to burnout I actually was in light of all the amazing growth we were experiencing. That rest and refreshment was invaluable to me then.
I returned from that time away refreshed and restored in my calling to Pastoral ministry, to Schoharie County and to this amazing congregation. Further evidence of the precise timing and providence of God for when that sabbatical was experienced was revealed when, after I returned to my role as Lead Pastor, my family in Ohio went through a tragic and sudden loss that demanded my presence and attention. Thanks to the wisdom and generosity of our Elder Board, I discovered I was now in a proper and healthy place to serve and navigate the leading of God's Spirit in that season of my family's life.
This time around I know that my mental and emotional state is no where close to what it was in 2016. I am not weary or worn out. In large part because during the first 7 years of my time as Lead Pastor, there was a lot that was on my plate requiring my attention and direct leadership. Now, over the last 8 years, we have seen God raise up and call a number of people forward to step into roles of leadership, some paid and some volunteer, that have lightened the load on me as Lead Pastor and helped us together as a team become much more efficient and healthy carrying this ministry God continues to bless us with together.
I can't tell you HOW THANKFUL I am for our Executive Team at Fusion that carry the burden of ministry together with you in mind as a part of the family, and with the mission of Jesus on their hearts as the WHY we do what we do...
Thank you... Pastor Corey, Pastor Tim, Pastor Pauline, Sharon, Hannah, Gretchen, Tracy, and Al... for who you are, how much you care about me, our church family, and how passionately you pursue our collective mission... ONE MORE AT ANY COST!... and a special Thank you to the secret weapon behind the scenes we refer to as the "real boss" Brenda Morissette who keeps everything under control and moving in the right direction!
I also want you to know how vital and effective our Board of Elders are at serving in the roles that YOU as a church family have asked them to serve in. I promise you that none of them feel up to the task of serving in this role because they are people of humility who don't seek positions of power, but are willing to serve wherever they are asked to be of use. And I can't even begin to tell you how valuable this board is for me personally as a sounding board and safe place to seek wisdom, encouragement, and for us to collectively start to sense the voice and leading of the Holy Spirit for HIS church, Fusion.
I can honestly say that over the last 15 years it hasn't mattered WHO is serving on our board at the time, but God has continually used that team in a powerful way to serve YOU and to serve ME with His heart for this region, and His guidance over our faith community. It's crazy, but in my time as Lead Pastor there has now been 22 different individuals serve in these 5 or 6 roles, many for multiple years, and I can't thank them or God enough to get to do ministry alongside them.
Now, I understand that a Sabbatical might be a foreign concept for some of you, if this is the first that you are hearing about it, it might even be a shocking idea! In its most basic form, like a weekly Sabbath, which God presents as a part of the 10 commandments for us to not forsake, a Sabbatical is a period of rest designed to delight in the Lord and reestablish deeper communion with Him.
In fact, I thought it would be helpful with this email, to even add some links for you to consider this core value that is a part of our Fusion ministry rhythm. So feel free to browse the links below and explore how widespread and strongly encouraged this practice is for churches across our culture both in our Wesleyan tribe, and beyond that in the church as a whole
Whether you realized it or not, this is the last email I will send to you and the Fusion Family for the next two months. Hopefully, back in May you read through our annual report and if you did, you learned that as a church, for almost the last decade, we have elevated as a valuable rhythm in our ministry, the practice of offering an extended Sabbatical to those who serve in leadership at Fusion Community Church every 7 years.
To share a little bit of history, in May of 2009 I stepped into the position of Lead Pastor at what was Cobleskill Wesleyan Church, and would become Fusion Community Church. It is hard to fathom that we just crossed over 15 years that I have been serving in this role. It has truly been a joyride filled with exciting days and challenging days, but God's faithfulness has been constant and unwavering.
Eight years ago, through the wisdom of one of my mentors, our District Superintendent, he could see the weariness in me. The calling God had placed on my life and the dynamic expansion of our ministry here was undeniable, and he encouraged our Board of Elders at the time to offer me a Sabbatical that summer. What I didn't know at the time was how close to burnout I actually was in light of all the amazing growth we were experiencing. That rest and refreshment was invaluable to me then.
I returned from that time away refreshed and restored in my calling to Pastoral ministry, to Schoharie County and to this amazing congregation. Further evidence of the precise timing and providence of God for when that sabbatical was experienced was revealed when, after I returned to my role as Lead Pastor, my family in Ohio went through a tragic and sudden loss that demanded my presence and attention. Thanks to the wisdom and generosity of our Elder Board, I discovered I was now in a proper and healthy place to serve and navigate the leading of God's Spirit in that season of my family's life.
This time around I know that my mental and emotional state is no where close to what it was in 2016. I am not weary or worn out. In large part because during the first 7 years of my time as Lead Pastor, there was a lot that was on my plate requiring my attention and direct leadership. Now, over the last 8 years, we have seen God raise up and call a number of people forward to step into roles of leadership, some paid and some volunteer, that have lightened the load on me as Lead Pastor and helped us together as a team become much more efficient and healthy carrying this ministry God continues to bless us with together.
I can't tell you HOW THANKFUL I am for our Executive Team at Fusion that carry the burden of ministry together with you in mind as a part of the family, and with the mission of Jesus on their hearts as the WHY we do what we do...
Thank you... Pastor Corey, Pastor Tim, Pastor Pauline, Sharon, Hannah, Gretchen, Tracy, and Al... for who you are, how much you care about me, our church family, and how passionately you pursue our collective mission... ONE MORE AT ANY COST!... and a special Thank you to the secret weapon behind the scenes we refer to as the "real boss" Brenda Morissette who keeps everything under control and moving in the right direction!
I also want you to know how vital and effective our Board of Elders are at serving in the roles that YOU as a church family have asked them to serve in. I promise you that none of them feel up to the task of serving in this role because they are people of humility who don't seek positions of power, but are willing to serve wherever they are asked to be of use. And I can't even begin to tell you how valuable this board is for me personally as a sounding board and safe place to seek wisdom, encouragement, and for us to collectively start to sense the voice and leading of the Holy Spirit for HIS church, Fusion.
I can honestly say that over the last 15 years it hasn't mattered WHO is serving on our board at the time, but God has continually used that team in a powerful way to serve YOU and to serve ME with His heart for this region, and His guidance over our faith community. It's crazy, but in my time as Lead Pastor there has now been 22 different individuals serve in these 5 or 6 roles, many for multiple years, and I can't thank them or God enough to get to do ministry alongside them.
Now, I understand that a Sabbatical might be a foreign concept for some of you, if this is the first that you are hearing about it, it might even be a shocking idea! In its most basic form, like a weekly Sabbath, which God presents as a part of the 10 commandments for us to not forsake, a Sabbatical is a period of rest designed to delight in the Lord and reestablish deeper communion with Him.
In fact, I thought it would be helpful with this email, to even add some links for you to consider this core value that is a part of our Fusion ministry rhythm. So feel free to browse the links below and explore how widespread and strongly encouraged this practice is for churches across our culture both in our Wesleyan tribe, and beyond that in the church as a whole
Hopefully, after looking at some of the content in these links, you see the value for both me and my family AND for our church. I want to encourage you in my absence during July & August to stay connected. Don't forsake the gathering together of the body. Look forward to getting to hear from some NEW voices on Sundays.
We have arranged for you to hear from some guest speakers you have never met. You will get to hear from our District Superintendent Pastor Karl Eastlack. We will have a visit from our missionaries in Cambodia, who are funny and always have a warmth from the Holy Spirit to share. In the meantime, keep serving one another, keep giving faithfully through the summer, keep engaging your kids and teens in the ministry opportunities offered, and keep spurring one another on to good deeds!
Logistically what this means is that for the interim, Pastor Corey will be assuming my role. He already has a lot on his plate, so encourage him and support him for these few weeks. Pray for him, and the rest of our staff. A busy summer has already begun.
*Our Tikuma Island will be hosting Vacation Bible School soon! (Have you signed your kids up?)
*Our Infuse Student ministry will be hosting the first ever LEAD THE CAUSE: East Coast student mission trip experience soon! (Have you registered your teenagers?)
And so many other opportunities and ministries will continue to happen all summer. In no time at all I will be back in the saddle, and I believe the sentiment of all of us will be to marvel at God's grace and faithfulness yet again... the One who NEVER fails!
I would humbly ask that you pray for me, my wife, and our girls. We are looking forward to some time with extended family this summer, and a little bit of traveling. To enjoy the few weeks of warm weather, and nurture our family bonds with each other. Ask the Lord to refresh all of us, and lead us back into the roles He has called us for with fresh vigor, passion, and vision for where He wants us to go next!
Appreciate you being a part of the family!
Fetter
And remember... you can always reach out through the Office@FusionCommunity.Church email with any questions or assistance you need, and Brenda will forward it on to whoever can help you.
We have arranged for you to hear from some guest speakers you have never met. You will get to hear from our District Superintendent Pastor Karl Eastlack. We will have a visit from our missionaries in Cambodia, who are funny and always have a warmth from the Holy Spirit to share. In the meantime, keep serving one another, keep giving faithfully through the summer, keep engaging your kids and teens in the ministry opportunities offered, and keep spurring one another on to good deeds!
Logistically what this means is that for the interim, Pastor Corey will be assuming my role. He already has a lot on his plate, so encourage him and support him for these few weeks. Pray for him, and the rest of our staff. A busy summer has already begun.
*Our Tikuma Island will be hosting Vacation Bible School soon! (Have you signed your kids up?)
*Our Infuse Student ministry will be hosting the first ever LEAD THE CAUSE: East Coast student mission trip experience soon! (Have you registered your teenagers?)
And so many other opportunities and ministries will continue to happen all summer. In no time at all I will be back in the saddle, and I believe the sentiment of all of us will be to marvel at God's grace and faithfulness yet again... the One who NEVER fails!
I would humbly ask that you pray for me, my wife, and our girls. We are looking forward to some time with extended family this summer, and a little bit of traveling. To enjoy the few weeks of warm weather, and nurture our family bonds with each other. Ask the Lord to refresh all of us, and lead us back into the roles He has called us for with fresh vigor, passion, and vision for where He wants us to go next!
Appreciate you being a part of the family!
Fetter
And remember... you can always reach out through the Office@FusionCommunity.Church email with any questions or assistance you need, and Brenda will forward it on to whoever can help you.