Our pastor has declined the call the serve at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Thermopolis, Wyoming. Here is his letter that he read to our congregation on Sunday, July 20, 2014. Note: the specific reasons for him declining the call are excised from his letter below. He thought it was best not to list the specific reasons for declining the call on the internet.
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July 15, 2014
From: Richard Futrell,
Pastor, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Kimberling City, MO
Dearest saints of St. Paul Lutheran Church:
When God the Holy Spirit freshly speaks through His Church to move a pastor from one place to another, the pastor receiving such a call should be inclined to serve at his new location. This should be so unless the pastor has compelling cause not to do so. For a pastor is not only the pastor of a local congregation, but also a pastor in Christ’s Church.
In my case, I have such a compelling cause–not in my vocation as pastor but in my vocation as husband. Since I am declining your call to serve as your pastor, a frank and honest answer why is always best. My answer comes down to two reasons:
[The specific reasons have been removed]
As her husband, I cannot willingly choose to move to Thermopolis and subject Sheri, to what would be for her, such hardship. If the circumstances were different, I would have joyfully accepted your call. But they are not, and so pining over what could have been does neither of us any good.
When we visited with you on Wednesday evening, you were so beautiful to us and showed us Christ’s love with such joy. We left with our hearts full, brimming with love for you as a congregation. And so writing this letter to decline your call was hard, even painful–but still necessary.
Continue to be faithful as you seek another shepherd. God will bless you in His way and time with a pastor to shepherd His flock at Thermopolis, Wyoming, for Jesus is still, and will always be, the Lord of His Church.
To God alone be the glory,
Rich Futrell, pastor
CC: Members of Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Kimberling City, Missouri
Richard Boche, Wyoming District President
Paul Cain, Yellowstone Circuit Visitor, Wyoming District
Ray Mirly, Missouri District President
William Marler, Springfield Circuit Visitor, Missouri District
