Next Chapter

I have recently accepted a position to be the superintendent of St. John Lutheran School in Bakersfield, CA.  There is great sadness at leaving a place that I have invested so much of my life during the past 12 years at St. John, Ellisville.  In leaving, I thought about a parallel story that is going on with our STL Cardinals.  They lost their share of leadership this year, but baby, just look at them now!

Albert Who?  What a difference a few months make!  The Cardinals are off to their best start in years!  It seems like yesterday when we heard the news that our beloved MVP was leaving for the sunny skies  of Anaheim.  As of this writing,  newcomer Carlos Beltran is among the league leaders with 5 home runs, which is five more than Albert Pujols has !   The team is what makes champions and the Cardinals have picked up right where they left off in October, 2011.  There are a few new faces here and there but the management has made a total make-over.  Time will certainly tell whether they have the health and chemistry to make another championship run, but players play the game... and that fact simply does not change.  This important team called St. John Lutheran School is made up of more championship-caliber players than any 40 man MLB roster.  We have teacher all-stars that help shape hearts and minds in each classroom.  We have parents who partner with us to raise their children to take on a culture that is not in tune with God’s design for their lives.  We have kids who are learning each day what it means to be a witness in word and deed to the grace that God freely pours out upon each of them.  They are learning that God needs them on HIS team to play through the tough challenges life will bring their way.  As I considered the two calls on my heart, I felt that St. John Lutheran School is positioned to receive a new leader that will write a new chapter in the story of the school ministry.  My prayer is that as the process moves into search mode, the team pulls together to trust in God’s provision for a strong future.  The last command uttered by Jesus prior to His ascension was “ Make Disciples, Baptize and TEACH!”   He also mentioned that He would be with us ALWAYS!  May we all be faithful to  our part of the deal – equipping disciples and faithfully teaching those He puts in our care!