beaconchurches

Friends -

I am requesting prayer for myself and my family. I've been out of pastoral ministry since the end of August (the church leadership and I had a parting of the ways after less than two years; my previous shortest situation was seven years). I was allowed to stay in the parsonage until the end of the year or until I found a new ministry position. As nothing has panned out on that front, on Jan. 2 Lee (my wife) and I will be moving to my family's farm house in central PA. Lee's mother Clarice will be joining us there by the middle of the month (we are her only immediate family).

This has been a challenging time for all of us. Any move is difficult and taxing, but when you move without a job in hand, it is an additional challenge to one's faith. Please pray for a safe, smooth move for all of us and that I will soon find employment (in pastoral ministry or otherwise).

<>< Ron Troup

PS - Due to the move, I will only be checking here on an irregular basis.

Brother,

I can only imagine what this has been like for you and for your family. You will be in my prayers.

Same here. Keep the faith. Sounds like you have had some good experinces to remember. Cherish these. There are many good churches in the pasture. P.M. any of us to chat.
chip.

I want to echo the above sentiments. Please know that you will be in my prayers as well, over the next several days especially.

God bless you Ron.
Not only prayers, but assurance that He is able to deliver you. During our 7 months of in between God took exceptional care of us. He will for you as well.
Meanwhile, who is helping you find your new place of service. And who is helping you heal from the nonsense that accompanies this kind of departure? I don't know what the ABC support looks like where you are. ABCOPAD was one place my profile did not circulate, but I suspected it was due to lack of organization, not some VF agenda. I would write (if you haven't already) to all of the execs in the origional Parchment Valley group. Most of them will be helpful. (PM me if you want a take on which ones lacked integrity.) It takes a while to get into their systems, so an early start is better. Also the face to face events I found to be helpful.
I don't know how you would fit, but you might consider getting in contact with the Conservative Baptist Association. My only sticking point was Women in Ministry and even then they were very helpful and circulated my resume very graciously. They are extremely reasonable and open to a wide diversity within orthodox baptist belief.
I found the Pacific North West, Great Rivers, West Virginia and Indiana/Kentucky to be the most helpful regions in ABC.
The healing process is another matter. I found that having a mentor to reflect to helps a great deal. I also have appreciated the ministry of an excellent counselor. One thing I took advantage of was the career counseling service , which was for me a very uplifting experience. It helped me separate myself from the dysfunctional system I had lived in for so long. It helps to know that 'their' opinion of you is what is sick and not who we actually are.
We love you and are praying for you.
In the midst of something like this it is easy to let the depression numb you to what needs to get done. Get up and get going. God is finished yet!
love
Art

Ron, you are in my prayers as well.

Would starting an entire new ministry be a calling for you?

Friends -

First, thank you all for your prayers and words of support/ encouragement.

Art, I have been helped by ABCNJ staff; it is just that the opportunities in NJ did not line up with what my needs are/ what I have to offer. I've been in touch with ABCOPAD; and I personally know Frank Frischkorn fairly well. I have had an intentional relationship with another ABCNJ pastor; that has been helpful in processing what I've been through.

At the moment I'm not afflicted with/ tempted to bitterness (thank you, Lord); but I do have moments of wondering how I got here, and wondering what God's purposes are. I can see Him knocking some unhealthy ambition/ longing for the 'center stage' out of me; but I do wonder about the rest.

ehart - At 55, this old dog doesn't see starting from scratch to be an attractive option; and, knowing the area I'm moving to (I was born and raised there), they don't need new minstries to reach the lost. But these are my opinions; if God opens the doors ...

In my previous position, I was in a combined ABC-United Methodist situation for ten years. The Conference I was working with was Central PA, which is (for the NE Jurisdiction) a fairly evangelical/ conservative Conference. I might find some shelter/ opportunity there. (And I was born and raised EUB .)

I will keep you posted as things develop. Again, thank you for your prayers and support.

<>< Ron Troup

Updating our situation -

As it turned out, our move on Jan. 2 was a mess; we weren't ready for the movers (in spite of having worked nearly non-stop), so they took about 95% of our stuff. We had another two days of finishing up and moving stuff ourselves. We did not repeat this with my mother-in-law's move; which meant that we did not move her until Jan. 22, about a week later than first planned.

At this point we are all in one place in PA; we are still recovering physically while working on settling in; and I have a couple of opportunities to preach (pulpit supply). We are also scouting the classified section for jobs; I have initial contacts with two churches who are in a pastoral search mode. Your continued prayers would be most welcome.

<>< Ron Troup

You have my sympathies I've moved a few times my self. Will be praying for you

Ehud

Same here ret.
c.

May Jesus fill your days with joy and the oil of healing for your hearts. May you open the right boxes the first time when you want to find things. May your family feel the security of a home in your new house, the years of the house being a family home soaking into your consciousness. May you know that God's gifts and calling are without repentance and may you see God's hand in bringing you to the best direction for the Kingdom and for you. May your whole family be blest.
love
Art

Friends -

I wanted to let you know of how things are progressing in my situation.

While I've had some contacts with churches, none of these had progressed to a 'serious' stage. Meanwhile, I was invited to apply for a CPE residency position; I did so and was accepted, and have decided to go in this direction. I will be in this program at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, PA (about 20 minutes from my home) starting in June. It comes with a stipend and benefits.

I look at this as an opportunity not only to add another 'tool' to my resorces (I hadn't done CPE in the past), but also an opportunity for reflection and renewal away from pastoral ministry.

Please continue to uphold my wife, Lee, in prayer as she is still looking for work (ideally as an administrative assistant). She's had about 9 interviews (5 in local churches), and none have come through; the rejection is taking a toll on her.

<>< Ron Troup

I praise God you have been able to find a position. A former pastor at the church I am currently serving took a similar route and found it worked well for him. My wife recently lost her job as an administrative assistant, and so far, none of her attempts to find new work have been successful either. She is responding by re-opening a business in town that closed recently. I will keep you and yours in my prayers. May God give you knowledge of your success as you rely on Him and His strength.

One thing I neglected to say - this is a one year position, ending June 2009.

<>< Ron Troup