As the Associate Pastor of Trinity United Methodist Church in Hutchinson, KS, I write a weekly article for the newsletter article. I invite both members of the church and other visitors to my blog to share their thoughts!

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A short while before Easter, my wife got the call from our District Superintendent, Rick Saylor, saying he had found a church for her to serve in the Hutchinson District. Since we are both graduating from Seminary this Spring, we knew she would be moving, but now we know where: she will be the pastor of Stafford United Methodist Church, about 40 miles to our west. I will of course be continuing here at Trinity, but changing to full time status once I graduate (I can’t wait!)

The life of a United Methodist pastor is a bit nomadic—we expect to move every several years, but are always aware that we COULD be moved even when we don’t expect it. It can be a bit of a nail biter for “clergy couples” especially, for fear that the two churches might be far apart.

I love Trinity, and will be glad to have more energy to devote to it. Stafford seems like a wonderful community, and Amy and the church fit each other well. We will be living in the parsonage in Stafford and I will drive into Hutch daily—I was wondering what I would do with myself once my weekly commutes to Kansas City were over!
Officially it’s the Bishop and District Superintendents who make the decisions about appointments, but there is no doubt in my mind that God is ultimately behind which pastor ends up where!

I welcome your comments on http://ministrygeek.net.