Time for a Change

Dear Friends:

I am writing to let you know of a decision that Dana and I have recently made regarding our class. After much prayer and reflection, we have decided that the time has come for a change in leadership. We began the class on April 14, 2002, so next month will be eight years. It’s been a good run. This decision has nothing to do with our church or with the make up of the class. We absolutely love our church and want to do everything we can to help us continue to grow and flourish. The main reason for this decision is that time has become quite short for me. I have agreed to serve as Interim Director of Baylor’s Honors Program next year (beginning in June), which will be a major responsibility. I also was recently elected president of a national organization. That job will require a great deal of time as well. In hindsight, the best I can discern is that God put us in place eight years ago to lead the class during what we might call the “baby producing” span of life. As I think most of you know, members of our class have given birth to 39 babies since April 2002. That has been a great deal of fun. We are quite proud of having been present for all of that new life coming into being.

Dana and I want to thank all of you for your terrific support during this past eight years. We especially want to thank Steve R., Wayne, and the entire administrative team. We are blessed to have such incredible leadership at our church. We would like to remain members of the class, but only after taking a break for a while. We also may look into other opportunities to serve during the 10:50 hour, with one example being teaching one of the children’s classes. I talked with Wayne today, and the plan is for us to begin by seeing if there is someone within the class who would like to take over the teaching. If not, Wayne has agreed to work with me to see if there is someone else within the church generally who would like to do it. We plan to lead the class for another several weeks, perhaps into April and May, but we haven’t set a specific date for when to call it the last Sunday. April 11th or 18th would make for an even eight years, so that may make the most sense. If you are interested in teaching the class, please let me know.

This change will be a difficult one for us, but the time has come. While at Disney World next week (March 11th), Dana and I will celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary. We have been teaching this class for eight of those years. We did not come to this decision lightly. In many respects, we feel like we’re watching one of our kids go off to kindergarten for the first time. Most of you know what that feels like. But, as we learn from Ecclesiastes, for everything there is a season.

We love all of you guys and want to thank you for walking with us during this incredible eight year journey.

Wes and Dana