Your writing has encouraged, inspired and challenged me over the last year in my own journey. I think you are making the right choice by following the muse God gave you!

Mark

In the Presbyterian tradition when a pastor leaves a congregation (retires or moves on) it is frowned on for him or her to stay too close to the old church. This can be a challenge for the pastor's family. They often have many friends in the congregation and it is awkward when the pastor has to pull back but they want to stay.

Give the folks at Covenant space. There will be grieving and eventually getting to know the next pastor. You don't want to get in her or his way.

We love you too,
alan

... I have a funny feeling that you're right. "Down here among the unclean," as Lyle Lovett sang, we need you bad. So thanks.

To all of you who value RLP, write expressions of support and that you will be there for Gordon, and espouse the positive effect RLP has been to your lives ~ I ask this question. Are you a Subscriber/Friend of RLP?

It is not Gordon’s nature to ask this, so I will. Will you please become a Subscriber/Friend of RLP?

We who visit RLP gain from Gordon’s writing. Some more than others – but we all gain. When we attend a concert, unless someone else has paid the musician, we buy a ticket. We sit down and benefit from the musician’s efforts. There is a simple quid pro quo. We benefit and the musician earns a living so s/he can continue on with his/her artistry.

Gordon has not made (and I am certain never will make) people pay admission to read RLP. Just like NPR – we can visit RLP for free. We can benefit from Gordon’s writing without financially supporting it if we so choose. But, is that fair?

It is maddening to me that in our society people have to take an oath of near poverty to engage in the creative professions. I am very close to many incredibly skilled full time orchestral musicians who have to work like dogs to earn $30 - $35K per year and have no health insurance. Is the community of RLP willing to perpetuate this economic model here, in this place?

Gordon has made a life choice to write. Is it not time for the followers of this blog, who consume and benefit from his writing, to not just comment – but also to financially support his decision? If 100 readers of this blog agreed to donate $20/month (that is less than 1 tank of gas), that would raise $24,000 annually. This would be a giant step to enable Gordon to devote his immense talents to his writing. Who knows where this will lead.

I used the example of $20/month, but as they say during NPR fundraisers – any amount will make a difference in the life of this blog, and in the life of its writer. It is time to step up to the plate and make a difference in Gordon’s life – as he has made such a difference in ours.

I am a Subscriber/Friend of RLP. Will you please become a Subscriber/Friend of RLP? http://www.reallivepreacher.com/subscribe

Dave

Hi, Gordon.

Just wondering if you are aware of the ProBlogger blog? The founder, Darren Rowse happens to be a local (Melbourne, Australia) who I've met a couple of times at various church related things. Good guy.

I would imagine that it feels like a knife twisting in your gut, but don't be shy of exploring different ways of monetising your writing career.

Best of luck.

Evan

I think you're getting to the heart of it. We're still listening.

I've always known that this blog and your writing was a calling. I have faithfully read everything you have published here and there, along with the books. You have adopted us into your family and ministered to us in many ways. I think you should continue to foster your faith and maybe revisit some of the churches and communities that you found appealing, (like the Quakers) and that little church in Creede.

Your church got bigger when you started writing here and I think we all know that. We are your church, your people, your flock. Now you have to find the balance of life there and life here. What will your ministry here grow to be? And how will you grow yourself, and what is your new mandate if this is to be the next incarnation of your calling? That remains to be seen.

But if you aren't feeding your faith there in some way, how can you maintain a ministry here. You just can't walk away from Church. You may speak to God in the field, that doesn't mean you have to stop seeking him in a church or a meeting hall. You can't feed others if you aren't being fed yourself. So remember that.

Keep writing.

Here I was planning a trip to SAT in July for a conference over July 4th weekend and you aren't going to be at the church. I hope I will find you somewhere else, so that we can visit while I am there. I really want to see you - that is part of my journey there.

Jeremy in Montreal.

I started praying for you during your unusual time of silence the past few months, and now I will continue to pray. Transitions are hard -- even if they're chosen. I admire you for your strength in venturing to the unknown and for your discernment of God's CONTINUING call, in whatever form that is.

I book that I've found helpful is "Transitions" by William Bridges. Don't get put off by the self-help-y cover --- I think there's some gospel in there :-)

~praying

God's blessings on you, Gordon. Keep it coming... (As soon as you activate my user account again I'll sign up!)

--textjunkie

Very cool.

Where are you in those pictures, anyway? It looks like Circuit City.

Sara

Our lives intersected for a mere blink of any eye, but I knew this was coming. I think that's why my husband and I hesitated situating ourselves in Covenant. There was definitely a transition afoot. Plus, I have to admit the drive was really long. =)

It's an exciting time -- venturing out and figuring out for yourself what God's calling for your life truly is, beyond what others have spoken into you throughout your entire life. Outside, I've found not only more freedom to speak and think and study, but more peace and mental clarity. The peace and clarity are what make us appear so sure-footed, I think.

I'm still a big believer that most of our nurturing from God takes place in quiet moments...not necessarily large church gatherings. However, I also believe that if we don't ever get out of ourselves, then we lose opportunity to interact with, experience and share His love as we were created to.

May you find peace in your decision and joy that continues to fuel your spirit.

Warmest regards,
Audrey

I hear, understand, and admire your decision. They ring bells in my own head. Go for it, rlp.

little bead - little bead - little bead - little bead - little bead - little bead - little bead - little bead - little bead - little bead - big bead - . . .

Hey Gordon, there were times back in the early 2000's, when I was working in a fairly conservative Episcopal diocese, that it seemed like you were the only voice of sanity and nuance in the Christian world. I know now that's an exaggeration (and things have changed some since then, thankfully), but there were certainly times I read your blog and it saved my day from becoming an ungrateful slog through small mindedness, many times it re-opened a window to the Divine when I sorely needed it. So, yes, this blog has been a ministry and a calling for many many years. Prayers for you and your family as you move forward in discerning what's next. Thanks for all the ways you've shared so much of yourself with us here.

(I love the little photos that are accompanying these posts.
and also the "little bead, little bead, big bead" comment above!)

-

To echo Dave's comment above, I've been a subscriber of RLP for just about as long as it's been an option. This is easily the best content I pay for on the net. It is not the only content I pay for, but the quality far surpasses anything else. Best bang for the buck 'round these parts.

Also, Gordon, I like how in this post's picture it is your head moving into the frame rather than the point-of-view moving to encompass you. (You can tell from the background.) Your movement into a still perspective is more representative of the change you're making here. Just wanted to give you my impression of the photos. And your face not being fully in frame, even by the fourth shot, itself says something more. I like the symbolism, is all.

Simon

I love you too.

Sparks
still showing up as "anonymous" in the preview pane, though I logged in. And my comment ended up on the wrong post. not sure if it's me or the site.

What a momentous decision. I am writing this with tears in my eyes. I hope your friends and flock at covenant will understand.

I am a subscriber and a member of the consafo team and if there is anything I can do from so far across the pond - tell me.

I will be praying for you - for Jeanene, for the three sisters and for covenant.

Go with God

Oh and I love you too though we have never physically met we are well met in the heart of God

ScoG blog

Hi Gordon,

I was just over at Marcus' blog -- and got pointed over here. Glad I did.

I loved the title of this post. There were immediate flashbacks to some tough ground I had to till. It's never less than daunting to leave what's familiar and safe, to pursue something that is alluring and unknown. But, fast forward to today -- having the benefit of hindsight -- I know that faith holds those same qualities.

And it's breathtaking when the point of knowing it's the most right and sensible thing to do. And let your calling choose you.

I just joined High Callings Blogs -- and look forward to seeing all He has in store. As faith and work connects through the ministry of words.

Oops. Fast fingers... :)

Signing off --
Bonnie Gray of FaithBarista.com

Dear Gordon,

I am a retired United Methodist minister, having served almost forty years as a pastor. Last week a friend and colleague loaned me the book RealLivePreacher.Com.
Once I started reading it, I couldn't put it down. At last, I thought, someone has put into words what I have felt for forty plus years. I too was fortunate to serve churches that for the most part accepted my ambiguities and doubts. I refused to be put in a box that others pertained for me. Like you, real life dramas that unfolded during my ministry in the parishes I served helped mold my faith, or at times lack thereof. I've had a good run, with no regrets and more than enough experiences of grace to fill one lifetime. If there are any regrets, it is for the continued narrowness and parochialism I sense in many of the 'religious.'

Anyhow, at a noon lunch today I shared some of your words with five friends who are also retired (not clergy) and involved in the same life journey of trying to figure out "What's it all about, Alfie?" They were most impressed by my reporting. So, I decided this evening to search the internet under RealLivePreacher.Com and see what this blog thing was all about. There I found the news of your decision to leave Covenant Baptist Church to pursue the calling of being a writer. I have no doubt that it is a calling and that God will be able to use you in some marvelous ways, as She has already demonstrated. You have a wonderful gift to touch the lives and imaginations of folks who are often left by the roadside of organized religion because they refuse to be phoney or give up their integrity.

May 'The love' be with you,

Shalom,

Dave of Maine

May God be with you and family. I will keep you in my prayers. Go where God leads, You will know soon enough, or you may know now. Love and prayers. Mary