I have accepted the call to serve as the pastor of South Elkhorn Christian Church in Lexington, Kentucky (pictured above).  Here were remarks to the congregation at Pikeville:

The book of Ecclesiastes says, "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die…"   I might paraphrase that by saying there is a time to start and a time to end.

Almost eight years ago, I began my ministry with you as your pastor, but now it comes time to announce the end of that service.

Some time ago, I was contacted by the South Elkhorn Christian Church in Lexington.  They asked if I would send them a resume and be willing to be considered in their pastor search process.  After prayer and reflection, I agreed to talk to them.  After a lengthy series of interviews and negotiations, they voted last Thursday night to offer a call to me to serve as their pastor.  I have accepted that call.

In conversations with our Board Chair Blake Robinson, he suggested that I make October 15 my last Sunday here.

I have been honored to have been your pastor for these eight years.  I have learned to love you and feel that we have had many wonderful times together. 

My leaving this church had to happen sooner or later.  Perhaps some of you wish that it would be later; there may well be some who wish that it had been sooner.  But this seems to be God's time.

I consider you to be my friends, and I hope that friendship will continue.  I wish you only the best, and believe that you will wish me only the best.