Dear ELPC church family,
On March 15, I will celebrate 16 years of ministry at ELPC. This anniversary is notable, not only for its longevity, but because it will also be my last anniversary here. In the coming weeks, it is my plan to transition to a new chapter in my call to pastoral ministry.
For several years now, Beth and I have discussed what the immediate future might hold for us. The horizon of retirement is drawing ever closer, and our children are moving comfortably into adulthood. In early 2020, during my recent sabbatical, I decided I wanted to explore the opportunity to serve as an interim minister for larger congregations in times of transition. ELPC benefited from the interim services of the Rev. Rick Otty prior to my arrival in 2006. My serving in this role for another church would let me share my pastoral experience and skills with that congregation. But by March 2020, the season of Covid descended upon us and the implementation of this decision was put on hold for two years.
ELPC is a wonderful congregation. It is supported by a talented and dedicated staff. Its commitment to proclaiming the gospel, comforting the spiritually wounded, and ardently pursuing social justice has made our church known and respected well beyond the Pittsburgh city limits. As we move into a post-pandemic period, and as the church discerns how best to serve Christ through new models of public ministry, ELPC can benefit from the vision, energy, and perspective of a new head of staff—most likely someone whose ordination doesn’t date from the end of the 20th century, but from the early 21st century.
Stepping into the role of an interim minister means that my departure from ELPC will be relatively soon. Any church in need of transitional leadership is hoping to hire an interim pastor as quickly as possible. Because of this dynamic, I have asked Session to consider May 15th my last Sunday at ELPC.
Over the past months, I have completed PC(USA) training in interim ministry work and have been in conversation with a congregation in Baltimore Presbytery—Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church. It is the largest church in that presbytery and, like us, it is a Matthew 25 and an Earth Care congregation. It is committed to serving their region through a wide range of outreach ministries, and they have asked me to begin interim ministry there on June 1st.
As I understand the process going forward, the Session will work with the Pittsburgh Presbytery Committee on Ministry in formulating plans for the upcoming months. An “interim pastor nominating committee” will be formed to consider candidates who can best guide ELPC through a period of discernment and a mission study prior to beginning a search for a new head of staff. We are very fortunate to have strong leadership available in Pastors Heather, Patrice, and BJ to sustain the ministry of ELPC as this interim plan takes shape.
Words cannot express how difficult a decision this has been and how grateful I am for the privilege of serving this congregation for so many years. There are seasons in every one of our lives—and in every church’s life—in which we rely on God’s grace and strength both to say fond “goodbyes” and welcoming “hellos.” Through it all, we trust in the God who is ever beside us—the Christ who is ever calling us forward—and the Spirit that gives us good hope for tomorrow. Yes, 16 years is a long time, but in the words of the beloved hymn, “tis grace that brought us safe thus far and grace will lead us home.”
With deep affection,
Randy Bush