End of the Year...

Here are my measurements for the end of the year. I have been busy and did not get to update them the beginning of December... Neck 15 1/2, Chest 45, Belly 45, Butt/Hips 41 1/2, Bicep 12 1/2, Thigh 20 1/2, Calf 15, and Weight 204. There is some significant changes with my clothing sizes. We bought Zach pants for Christmas that did not fit him 32/32, but they did fit me!

There is also changes with my ministry. Here is a letter I read yesterday at Cornerstone.

Sunday, December 27, 2009

To my dear friends,

Recently in a sermon I said, “God uses people who dare to trust His promises. They are people of faith because it does take risks; it takes courage to be used by God. Courage doesn't mean you're not afraid. Courage is not the absence of fear. Courage is moving ahead in spite of your fear.” What I am about to say may be the scariest and probably some are thinking the craziest words I have ever uttered in my life, today I am resigning as pastor of Cornerstone Church. I am trusting that it is the same God who led me to Boone in 2006 that is now leading us away from Boone to a new redevelopment work in Watertown, Minnesota. My work here will be complete effective Jan 31, 2010.

In 2007 I told the congregation that I believed that God had given me the grace to publicly announce that I would be here for five years. I believed that with all of my heart. I had no intentions at that time of leaving any time in the near future. I am asking you today to release me from that promise.

This past summer, we as elders spent a significant time praying and fasting about the future of our church and the plans of adding on a family life center. During that time I believe that the Lord shared with me that it was 100% His will that we proceed with this project, but it would not be me that led the congregation in the process. That was going to be saved for someone to follow me. In Deuteronomy 32:52 God told Moses, “You will see the land only from a distance; you will not enter the land I am giving to the people of Israel.” This was heart-breaking for me. Just like Moses, I want to be a part of this process, but I believe with all of my heart that God has said no.

My gifts, talents, and abilities are taking a church that is hurting and dying, and helping them to turn-around and get new life. I have done this in several churches and I believe that is what God is calling me to do in Watertown. Sure, I could be taught how to take a church of 300 people and move them to a congregation of 500 people. I have never done it, but I’m sure I could learn. Why though? There are men who have done this and that is their gifting from God. I must do those things that God has equipped me to do.

Please know that there are no problems or troubles that I am running from. There is not one single person in this church who has urged me to leave. The elders were very supportive of me while I wrestled with these issues. They wanted what was best for the Lawson’s, but they also wanted what was best for Cornerstone Church.

Let me tell you a little bit about the church that I am going to. Watermark Church in Watertown, MN is a church of about 50-60 people. They do not have a building. They do not own land. They do not have a parsonage. They are currently meeting for worship in City Hall in Watertown. They cannot afford to pay our full salary. I will have to work a full-time job for awhile to support the family while at the same time try to redevelop this church. Housing is much more expensive in the Minneapolis area. We will have to rent an apartment for awhile until our home in Boone sells. Yet through all of this uncertainty, we believe that God is behind this and is leading the way.

The hardest thing about leaving Boone is leaving behind our son. Zach and Andrea and their family will remain in Boone. In the past when we left a church we packed our whole family and went on our way. This time is different. Please take time to reach out to Zach’s family. He will need his church family now more that he ever has in his entire life. You are the only family he has left in Iowa.

Why would I do this? The world’s thinking would be to keep a full salary, a growing church, and to stay close to family. Why would I do something as radical as this? Jesus said in Matthew 19, “Everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or property, for my sake, will receive a hundred times as much in return and will have eternal life. But many who seem to be important now will be the least important then, and those who are considered least here will be the greatest then.” That is my reason. I am not thinking about the temporary, but the eternal.

The elders have named Jeff Lee as the chairman of the search committee. I know for a fact that there is a list of men who would love to come to this church. We are no longer a congregation of 50 people. Look around, if everyone was here we would be 350 strong every Sunday!

The process of selecting a Pastor will probably take months. You will receive regular updates from the Elders to keep you up to speed. This is a great opportunity. Waiting on the Lord is not a time of inactivity, but faithfully fulfilling the last assignment that God gave you. Now is your time to step forward and be counted. Be faithful in your attendance, giving, and serving. If you have not been involved, now is the time! See one of the elders today!

Can I throw something personal in at this point? When it comes to the point where you will hear new candidates, don’t look for someone like me! You can’t duplicate me! You must not! God has chosen to give me a new assignment in Minnesota. This has been an agonizing process. God started working in my heart months ago, but His will has been made so very clear to us these last couple of months. A new man, with a new voice will lead you. He will not be like me! Otherwise, why would I leave?

My prayer is that you would truly in your heart release me to do that which God has called me to do. Some of you have been following me and not the Lord. You are going to struggle. I pray that this will be a time of learning to lean upon the Lord. Give your love and loyalty to the next senior pastor like you have given to me. He will have my total support and love. I must decrease so that he will increase the impact of this church on our community.

My desire is to be released and sent out by you. Cindy and I have wept, and will continue to weep with you. Yet beyond the moment of grief I can see the greatness of our God and His perfect plan. As an extension of you, I want to touch many lives for Jesus. Thank you for allowing me to share my life with you these last years. Please know that you will be in my heart forever! God makes all things new. He is about to do a new thing at Cornerstone Church.

Rev. Jeff Lawson

Cornerstone Church