Comments on The Real Journey: St. Andrew's Pastor Nominating process, from my pe...

Thanks, Paul! We at St Andrew's are excited for y...

2009-09-28T19:07:46.612-07:00

Thanks, Paul!

We at St Andrew's are excited for your church & for the Birchfields! It looks like a very good match, & I am so glad that Jim's gifts will be used well!

We love the Kannwischers already, and I know God has been in control in every detail here.

Thanks for your prayers for us! As much as we will love the Kannwischers, we have the retirement of Dr Huffman & Dr Lydia Sarandan this year to process, as well as our loss of Jim to you, and of Rev Bill Flanagan soon to cancer. Although we rejoice that "goodbye" is never permanent for those who know the Lord, it still brings much pain!

Your sister in Christ,
Maria Anderson

Maria: Your blog has been a real blessing. As an ...

2009-09-28T18:43:49.004-07:00

Maria:
Your blog has been a real blessing. As an member of First Presbyterian Church in Houston I can tell you that we are extremely excited about the prospect of Jim Birchfield becoming our next Senior Pastor. There was an electricity in the air at FPC Houston yesterday after our PNC announced that they had a nominee and we were even more excited about it once we knew who it is. Although we have been blessed by a wonderful interim pastor, the past few years have been very painful for our congregation due to the behavior of and divisions caused by our last Senior Pastor. So, I know what it must have felt like during the divisive times at St. Andrews.
We have also had the joy of knowing the Kannwischers for the past few years since Rich served at FPC Houston. I believe you are in good hands. Please know that your loss of the Birchfields is a gain for a congregation ready and awaiting new leadership and eager to welcome them with open arms. We will keep St. Andrews in our prayers as both our congregations continue to heal from the hurtful past and look forward to an exciting future with our new pastors.
In Chist,
Paul

To the author of the last anonymous comment: At t...

2009-08-31T10:06:49.908-07:00

To the author of the last anonymous comment:

At the conclusion of the meeting where we voted, Dr Huffman publicly quoted Dr & Mrs Birchfield as having said that they fully understood from the beginning that another candidate might be selected; and I am sure Dr Huffman was indeed quoting Jim.

However, there is no doubt that many members of St. Andrew's see it exactly as you state, and although the Birchfields don't see it as a breach of contract, I am sure it was an emotional blow nevertheless.

Thanks for your perceptiveness.

From this report it is evident that well-meaning p...

2009-08-31T09:52:02.618-07:00

From this report it is evident that well-meaning people did their best to honor Christ. Nonetheless, it is also apparent that Rev. Birtchfield was misled, and that the leadership did not follow through on what was at least an implicit promise to extend the call to him. I pray for him and his family that they are not scarred by the injustice they suffered, and I do hope that the leadership of the church will offer sincere repentance and deep apologies to Rev. Birtchfield and his family.

Not being a member of any church, I'll only commen...

2009-07-27T19:14:32.228-07:00

Not being a member of any church, I'll only comment that I've seen several of these transitions become very painful for members of the churches that were involved. It's got to be tough to say goodbye to a pastor that you've had for years or decades, and the choice of a replacement can bring out any latent tension within the church.

Honest,compelling, helpful reporting and analysis,...

2009-07-27T09:35:23.818-07:00

Honest,compelling, helpful reporting and analysis, and optimistic @ the future