It is not always in our best interest to know the future. For instance, a frog called a psychic hotline for frogs. The phone psychic told the frog that he was about to meet a beautiful young woman who would want to know all she could about him. The frog was excited to hear this news and asked the psychic, “When will I meet this beautiful woman?” The psychic answered, “You will meet her next week.” “And where will we meet?” the frog probed. The psychic hesitated and then told the frog, “You will meet this woman in her biology class.”


Over the last few months, we have looked at our past as pastor and congregation and rejoiced in the work we have accomplished together for Christ. We also explored present challenges so that we would be made aware of the work we still have to do as a congregation. Now I want to turn our attention to the future. I have never been much of a prognosticator, nor have I held those who do so in high esteem. I relate to Winston Churchill who said, “I always avoid prophesying beforehand because it is much better to prophesy after the event has already taken place.” I have heard too many want-to-be prophets boldly proclaim whatever we want to hear rather than what we need to hear. Interestingly, when their so-called prophecies don’t come true, they never seem to be around to face the music.


Predictions, that is, forecasts of what will happen, are often wrong. Occasionally someone, not a professional prognosticator mind you, nails it. While studying psychics, a teacher asked one of the boys in her class, "Can people predict the future with cards?" His response was, "My mother can." The teacher replied, "Really?" The young boy was quick to explain, "Yes, she takes one look at my report card and tells me what will happen when my father gets home." I have so much respect for the prophets of the Bible who were mostly on target with what they saw in Israel’s future. I believe God can, and does, give us glimpses of what is to come, but we must be careful and accountable observers and tellers of what God shows us.

Having said that, I want us to look at what lies ahead for Bethany in the wake of my retirement in October. The church will find an interim pastor who will give leadership and assist the transition to a new ministry. This will take time, up to a year or more, if the process to find a permanent, settled pastor is followed faithfully. The watchword is patience. God is even now working among you and in the life of someone God has in mind to be the next pastor of Bethany Christian Church. Trust that! Pray for that!

I know there is anxiety and trepidation at the thought of my departure, but you are in good hands—God’s hands. You are going to be just fine. How do I know this? I have spent the last 34 years of my life working with you on a daily basis trying to serve Jesus in this community to the utmost of our abilities, gifts, and resources. From my particular vantage point as pastor, I have had the extraordinary privilege to witness your ongoing, dauntless devotion, dedication, faithfulness. You have answered every call to be the church God calls us to be. I see that continuing. Is Bethany perfect? No. There is always room for growth, but unlike so many others, you understand that we are still on the way to becoming what God wants us to be. We have not yet arrived. There is always more to do, more to be.


So, I am bullish on Bethany! I believe good things lie in store for you. God will open opportunities for ministry in this community and beyond. Because of my faith in the living God who has brought us safe thus far, I see God leading you to the right person to take you forward into the future God is already preparing. My hope is that I have done my part in getting you ready for this moment. You will not stop being the people who constantly, even in a pandemic, showed up, stepped up. Your future is as bright as your heart is for God. I am confident that you’ve got this!

It is time not simply to stay the course. Take a moment and dream of where you, as a church, would like to go. What visions do you have about what Bethany can do and be? Share your thoughts with one another. Be honest and be bold. There is nothing you cannot accomplish with God leading you. Though I may be on the sidelines, I will be pulling for you, cheering for you, praying for you. Embrace your future. Go, Bethany, go!