Several Ways to Vote "Yes"

First-Marshall has been under stress for a long time, some of it financial. On Sunday December 16 the congregation chose to end the suffering and stress by deciding to close the doors. It was a surprise to find our woes in the local paper though, if you want to you can find it at this link.

The way the motion was worded, a "Yes" vote meant being in favor of closing the congregation. A "No" vote was a vote to continue. The congregation knew that voting no wouldn't end our troubles, it would just end the Session's time line.

Now, I saw a "No" vote as a vote of confidence that the Holy Spirit wasn't done with us yet. I saw the "Yes" vote as "nope, this is done." In the last 24 hours I have learned that there was more than one kind of "Yes" vote.

• I'm sure there was a group of folks who just wanted to see the church close. They think ministry is done in this place. They might also think I am done here too.
• Then there is a group who thought "If we go now we can leave a the pastor and the secretary with a generous severance." I know for a fact some of these people voted yes.
• Then there is the yes vote that was cast saying "Pastor Paul would give this a try and work himself to death doing this. I'm voting 'Yes' so this doesn't happen."

So as you see, I have discovered that two out of three ways to vote against my continued work in this city and congregation are actually a vote for me as a pastor and as a human being. 

I believe a PC(USA) presence is still viable in Marshall, but here is what I do know--It is unlikely to continue at this location. Also, with praise to God, Pastor Paul needs to seek a new call.

I was upset at the yes vote, I won't lie. What this vote does is offer freedom to a whole lot of people to seek where God is calling them to be next. For that I praise God.

"Advent" means "waiting." Lord God of heaven and earth, I wait for you, I wait upon you.