There is a Time for Everything: Bruce to Leave MBCC March 16, 2011
Dear Members and Friends of Mission Bay Community Church,
It is with a mix of sadness and hope that last night, March 15, 2011, I submitted and the Session accepted my resignation, effective May 31, 2011, as the pastor of Mission Bay Community Church.
There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. - Ecclesiastes 3:1-8As we enter our 12th year of ministry, looking back as the founding pastor, I can safely say that this has been an adventure. Not only have we worshipped in over 10 different physical locations, but we have experienced the breadth of emotional hills and valleys that come with the starting of a new church. We have experienced the highs: growing attendance, baptisms and discoveries of faith; and we have experienced the lows: the dot.com bust, pastoral transitions and fiscal crisis. But now, after my two years as moderator and the initial shock of our move to the Excelsior, we find ourselves in a new time of increased stability and growing energy. And after much prayerful discernment as to my role in the next stages of the building up of this community, it has become clear to me that Mission Bay Community Church has entered a new season of its life and, with that, the need for new pastoral leadership.
There is a time for everything . . .
As this news begins to sink in for many of you, let me assure you that this is not a decision made in response to any crisis, conflict or personal ambition. What this comes down to is my understanding of call as between a pastor and a congregation and my great excitement about MBCC's future. As we began this journey over a decade ago the skills, experience and perspective that I brought as the founding pastor were unique to that time in our life. Now as MBCC enters its second decade, a different set of skills and perspectives of ministry are needed in order for MBCC to keep moving towards who God intends it to be. In the same way, I also have grown and changed and I need to continue to be challenged to think about ministry and my own call in new ways.
In many ways MBCC and I have grown up together and it is now time to individually move into the next phases of our life and ministry. The relationship between a congregation and its founding pastor is one of the most powerful and tender in all of ministry, leaving an indelible mark on both the congregation and the pastor. A spiritual interconnectedness of the pastor and congregation is a necessity as a community begins to develop its identity and culture. At the same time, if not careful, this relationship can become so intertwined that neither can see ministry beyond the other and before you know it, the focus and vibrancy that defined the beginning of the church turns into drift and stagnation. In order to avoid falling into this all too common new church trap, we owe it to the future ministry of MBCC to move forward with new eyes, fresh insights and a renewed creativity. The transition away from the founding pastor, while difficult, is a natural and healthy stage of growth for any new church.
There is a time for everything . . .
MBCC has been such a huge part of my life and the life of my family, that to think about church and ministry after MBCC seems nearly impossible. What you all have taught me about being a pastor has been powerful, the ways this community has helped to raise up Evelyn, Abigail and Analise have been profound and how you have walked with our family through difficult times will forever shape my understanding of what it truly means to be church. But now you are in a different time, a time of looking into the future, setting down roots in a community and rediscovering who you are to be next. It is this blessed anticipation of what MBCC is becoming that has so clearly spoken to me and reminded me that you deserve more than I am equipped to give at this stage in my life and ministry.
Now I am sure that there are many reactions to this news. I fully understand that there will be disappointment, grief and confusion about my leaving as well as questions about what comes next for MBCC. Over the next few months we will be able to have some good conversations, both individually and congregationally, so that we can view this time, not as one of loss and ending, but of hope and new beginnings. As we go through Lent and Easter, it is my hope that we can walk a similar journey of heartfelt reflection and into a season of hope-filled new life both for MBCC and for my own future.
In the next weeks, a team of MBCC folks will be asked to develop a process that will assure a smooth transition in pastoral leadership. Another group will help to plan for a meaningful way for my family and MBCC to say good-bye to one another. The Presbytery of San Francisco is well aware of the unique nature of MBCC and will resource the Session as they think about next best steps in terms of pastoral leadership. And, as I have done the past 11 years, I will be open to any and all conversations that will help alleviate any anxiety that this decision may create.
There is a time for everything . . .
What is next for me is still taking shape and over the next month, as logistics are finalized, I hope to be freer to share with you my plans and future commitments. My official last Sunday will be May 29 and I will take a prorated time of vacation and study leave through June. Announcing at this time will allow for MBCC to use the summer months as a time of pastoral transition in order to move into the Fall with some programmatic and pastoral stability. With my summer also being filled with other obligations that would have taken me away from MBCC for most of July and August, this will also allow MBCC to best leverage its finances towards the next stage of leadership.
While we will have plenty of time for thank yous and good-byes over the next two months, I want to be sure to thank the many Steering Committee members and elders who have offered their leadership over our lifetime as well as the congregations and Presbyterian groups that supported us during our early years. For the staff and interns with whom I have had the pleasure of serving and who have helped to shape our culture and leadership: InHo, Barbara, Tiffany, Derrick, Nick, Abby, Erin, Miriam, Pete, Amy, Erica and Leslie, thank you. Please keep in prayer those who currently hold these roles: elders, staff and presbytery folks as they help to lead this next phase of MBCC's life together.
You and I have been through a great deal since we began this journey in January, 2000. From our days navigating worship in working coffee house, to our life in the big silver box, to the move to our current location, I have appreciated the special ability for this community to adapt, shift and land on solid ground. The ability to find peace in the midst of chaos is part of MBCC's DNA and I have full confidence that through this transition MBCC will emerge stronger and more vital than ever.
It is with a deep hope for what God intends and gratitude beyond words for who you have been for and with me, that I thank you and invite you to enter this new season in the life of one pretty incredible community, Mission Bay Community Church.
There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens . . .
Peace,
Bruce, always your founding pastor
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P.S.: If you would like to offer your prayers of support or encouragement, please leave a comment below, on the MBCC Facebook Page and/or via twitter, @mbcc.
March 17th, 2011 at 3:39 pm
Thanks to so many who have already sent prayers and words of encouragement to me and the church.
March 17th, 2011 at 5:30 pm
I have followed your ministry as Moderator and as pastor and have been a strong supporter. You are an amazing leader for Christianity and for PCUSA. I will be praying that your next responsibilities are fulfilling for you and for God’s will.
Peace and blessings in all you do.
March 18th, 2011 at 3:38 pm
May you all be encouraged through this transition period. I know from experience that MBCC is a wonderful church home and I’m positive that there is the leadership there to carry on the gospel and the ministry of God’s kingdom in your corner of SF. Thank you to all of you who make up MBCC for all you taught me about ministry, life, and faith. I trust that God still has many wonderful things to do left in the community.
And a very special thank you to Bruce for all you taught me…and are still teaching me in your actions.
March 20th, 2011 at 11:10 pm
Bruce, I have read many many of your posts and have learned from you how that one does many tasks and challenges “decently and in good order” while at the same time displaying a humility and lightness of being so refreshing in a leader. From your letter I see that you are responding to the next thing that appropriately feels right to you. I’m sure your present congregation will miss your wonderful witness and spirit. I will keep you and them in my thoughts and prayers as you both go forward in faith. Peace, my brother in Christ. Anita
March 21st, 2011 at 1:35 am
Dear Bruce,
Your moving on from MBCC will be a big loss for your congregation. I know that it must be very tough to leave the congregation that you helped to found. But then as you close one door with God’s guiding, a person of your talents and skills will find other doors opening. I am excited for you as you model a life worth living in the presence of God, church and community.
- Jake Kim
March 21st, 2011 at 7:01 am
Bruce,
Though my time with Mission Bay was brief- it had a great impact on me. And while I have little contact with you now, and the goings on of this church- it stays with me in a way that to this day, continues to surprise me.
Bruce, your search for your own path and to answer your own call is profound. It is further reaching than you will ever know. Thank you for being honest in your call, in both the difficult and gracious moments. Thank you for being attuned to change and transition, and for continuing to act and push forward even if it may seem sometimes that the pillars are falling down around you. Most of all though, thank you for listening to your community and to yourself. It is a rare trait.
You and your family are in my thoughts. I hope you continue to find the lightness and humor in most moments- and that this new chapter brings joy, excitement, and humility.
Best,
Katherine
March 21st, 2011 at 11:09 am
First, you do not know me and we have never met.
More importantly, you have had a profound effect on my faith in Christianity. Your work and voice as a pastor at MBCC, as the Moderator of the PC(USA) and on the internet have demonstrated the love of Christ through both your kindness and wisdom and the sorrow of Christ by your demands that we work to save the lives and souls of ALL of God’s children–not just those who are “like us”.
Thank you. May you and your family live in the love and peace of Christ and continue your amazing service to the world.
April 6th, 2011 at 12:03 pm
Wow. Big transition for the Reyes-Chow-Pugh family and Mission Bay, but sounds like a good time for change. The various “extended families” including the Mission Bay Community will be in our prayers. I certainly want to see the community florish and ….maybe along with pastoral change there should be a naming contest ;)
November 14th, 2011 at 2:58 am
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