Leaving
February
14, 2018
Grace
to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,
After
much prayer, thought and consideration, I write to inform you that I have
accepted another call, and will be leaving the churches of the ONE in Christ
Lutheran Parish after Easter Sunday. The Covenant Lutheran Churches of Oklahoma
City, Oklahoma have voted to call me to be their pastor, and I have accepted
that call.
Several
times, I have shared with quote from the Apostle Paul when he encountered the
Risen Christ on the road the Damascus. It is the quote from one of the chapel
windows at the Seminary in Gettysburg, and I have had it tattooed on my left
forearm. Paul asks, “Lord, what wouldst thou have me do?” I include that
question in my prayers several times daily. I now feel that this is the time for
me to follow the answer that Christ gives to Paul in Acts 9:6, “Arise, and go
into the city.” (KJV)
This
has not been an easy decision, but the three churches that make up the Covenant
Lutheran Churches will allow me to pursue my dream of urban ministry. They are
a mix of urban and suburban churches in diverse metropolis of over 1.5 million
people. They are ethnically diverse, community oriented, and looking for a
leader who can help them share the Good News in word and deed. I hope I can be
the pastor for whom they seek.
I
value the time that I have spent with all of you, and believe that we have done
a great deal of good work here. I believe that the three church parish
arrangement will continue to be fruitful to all. While each of Our Savior’s,
Nazareth and Emmanuel are separate and unique churches, you can cooperate and
work together for your mutual benefit, and as well as for the good of your
communities.
There
is the potential for great things to come from the three churches. I believe
that potential will best be lead from the leaders within the churches, and a
new pastor to work with you. The staff of the Northwest Synod of Wisconsin
office will help to find your new pastor.
I
thank you for the support that you have shown me, and the joys and sorrows that
we have shared. I will work with the leadership of the parish and of the
churches to make this transition as smooth as possible. I have informed Bishop
Rick Hoyme, and he and his staff are preparing to work with church leaders to
move the ONE in Christ Parish into the next phase of ministry.
I
will work with the Parish Council to determine when will be my last day, and to
ensure that all of my duties are covered. This summer will be a busy one, and I
pray that members of the churches will serve to ensure everything gets done.
Please
feel free to call or email me if you have any questions, or if you would like
to talk.
God
Bless You,
Pastor
Brian Robert Campbell
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