“You can’t move home unless you are willing to stay.” That was the line I kept considering almost twenty years ago as Jenny and I were contemplating moving to Fort Smith. We continually reminded ourselves back then that you can move home anytime, but once you are here, it would be very difficult to leave.
Yet we chose to come home and came with the plan of staying for the rest of our ministry. I’ve long said, “It would take a very unique opportunity to get us to leave.”
But such an opportunity has arisen.
This week, I notified our elder board that I will resign as Lead Pastor of Community Bible Church effective August 1. (See my letter to the church HERE)
While professionally prudent, personally this is a very difficult decision. Not only is Fort Smith home with friends, family, and memories. Community Bible has been our family for nineteen years. We have had a fascinating two decades of growth and spiritual impact as we have lived life together. But the timing is right both for us and the church to experience a change.
Why Now?
While the opportunity that has been presented is unique (more on that below), there are other factors at play regarding the timing of this move. Before I tell you what those are, let me say what they are NOT. I have not been asked to leave. I’m not secretly mad. There is not an unspoken situation or circumstance that is causing the change. As I told the place where I’m going, “I could stay forever at Community and be completely happy.”
However, there are some circumstances that made me more receptive to this opportunity compared to those in the past.
1. Personally, I’m excited about a new challenge. While I do not feel as though I have grown complacent, being at the same job for nineteen years does breed some familiarity. I like the idea of trying something new, learning from different people, and seeing how other people do ministry.
2. While there are many strengths to being in Fort Smith, there are a few benefits to being in a larger population specifically one that would have more resources for young adults with special needs. This has been a reality Jenny and I have considered for the last two years.
3. The church could use a change. I love Community Bible. I believe it is well situated to have a tremendous impact on this region for the years to come. However, I think it needs a change. As long as I am there, it will be tough to make significant changes. Yet a new leader can do so quickly and easily. Community doesn’t need a different message, but to have a new voice preach the same Truth I have proclaimed can be effective. I believe this is the best move for the church.
So why now? Because this is the first attractive opportunity that has presented itself at a time where I felt it was right both for my family and the church.
Where Are You Going?
That’s where we have been. Here is where we are going.
Beginning in late August/early September, I will become the Married Life Pastor at Bayside Church in California (for a quick summary on the church click HERE). This position is being created with the hopes of building the largest church-based marriage ministry in the country. Our hope is not just to impact every marriage at Bayside, but to have a meaningful impact on how other churches across the country approach marriage ministry. In this role, I will speak, write, host conferences, hold retreats, publish books, and meet with couples.
While personally there was a pause when the job was offered because of having to move so far away, professionally it’s a great opportunity to focus more on the area in which I seem to have the greatest impact.
Risk and Fearless Families
Whenever I published my first book, someone suggested that I was writing in hopes of getting out of Fort Smith. I laughed. I have many questionable motivations, but writing was never a secret plan to find another job. Yet my last book is clearly linked to this move. It’s not that Fearless Families sold so well that people were beating down my door. Instead, the message of the book so impacted my life that it is enabling this move. Without having lived the message of the book, I likely would not have had the courage to pull the trigger on this move.
As someone who likes to have everything planned, have thought through all the issues, and hopefully have all the answers, every now and then I need to intentionally do something riskier than my nature is comfortable with. If we say we are going to celebrate courage then we better being taking courageous action on occasion. This move is correlated to the ideas in the book. It’s a move that forces my dependence upon God.
What About Community
While most people who read this website are not connected with Community Bible, many are. Thankfully, the membership of CB is in good hands. Our Board is acting quickly to identify a search team to find the next lead pastor. Beginning August 2, Richy Fisher will become the Interim Pastor. Under his leadership and the leadership of the staff, the ministry will continue without pause. The future of Community Bible is bright and I look forward to cheering her on (and also returning once a year to preach).
Jenny and I will forever be grateful for our time at home in Fort Smith. We are grateful for what God has done and head into this next venture with great anticipation of what God will do.
I am really sad for us, but excited for you all.
God let change is good for the individual, the family and the organizations. There is a season for……. go plant and reap! God bless you all!
congrats! I look forward to seeing what you are able to accomplish in the future! Your insight on marriage/family relationships has helped mine so much!
Congratulations! I can only imagine the difficulty of your decision but I’m confident that you made the right choice for you and your family.
It was 16 years ago this September that you married Laura and me. Thanks for all you’ve done for us, CB and the community as a whole.
Stay funny.
Congratulations! I have been reading (and forwarding) your articles for years. You’re one of the top three pastors I follow and I live in Auburn, CA which is very close to Bayside (Granite Bay campus). Although we attend a different church in Rocklin, I wish you and your family the best! I hope to still be able to learn and share your great wisdom and biblical insights even though you’re moving to a new role in a much larger church.
God Bless you and your family. You have been a tremendous blessing to Fort Smith and I’m sure your legacy will continue wherever you go. Best wishes to you as you plan and prepare for this major season you are approaching.
Congrats, Kevin. Remember those times I said you were an author who preached? Yup. Here you go. I’m very happy for you and your family. I expect to hear great things about your new ministry. I remain proud of you. I’ll always remember your thoughtful letter when I retired; I still have it. It’s filed away with all my other . . . Oh, wait! There were no other letters! 🙂
Congratulations!!! There is no greater need today than ministering to families in crisis, and God has certainly gifted you in that. I pray that God will continue to give you insight and wisdom and use you to strengthen and heal broken families. Linda Jones
Sorry to hear you are leaving, but glad you have found HIS will.
You can’t go wrong following the Lotd!
GO WITH GOD!
Love you Brother!
Your areas of expertise will be well utilized….our loss their gain. Best of luck as God leads you in this profession! Blessings always liza holman
Very exciting to hear what God has plannied for your family, the church in California, and CBC. Praying for a smooth transition. You will certainly be missed.
Kevin, wether you meant to or not, you have been a wonderful friend to Ricky and me. I think you were in my 5 year old Sunday School department at Grand Avenue many years with Trena King, the director. (Just a memory of your mama picking you up at the door or the one next to ours.)
I prayed many years ago when I was taking my children to church by myself that someday their daddy would have a desire to know God more and to serve the Lord with his music and singing. You and Ed gave him an opportunity to be used of the Lord and I thank God for giving you to us. Your messages have fed us and we have grown and been blessed. I don’t want to speak for Ricky but I don’t think felt accepted before attending Community Bible Church and making friends with Ed and you.
We will continue to pray for you and your family. So happy for you but we will miss you. Best wishes in California.
Pastor Kevin, what great news, but what sad news…change is hard. Knowing you sought the Father before you made this decision, helps me to accept it…..but I don’t have to like it! You’ve been a careful leader, your love and support of my sister Teresa and me when our sister Jan passed away, will be remembered for ever. I’ve learned so much under your shepherding. You bring freshness and insight to God’s Word week after week. Covid stopped our attendance, it was reassuring to know you were handling the Church business, available to us, if we needed you. Thank you for your service to Bus and me, our family, and our church family. May our God bless you and your family as you start this new journey.
I told you someday this would happen! Like Billy Graham and George Beverly Shea “Do I get to come where you are going?”( a quote from Out of Africa).
Ricky Young
Even tho this is sad for Community I am excited for your new adventure. I know you will do so well and that God is leading you. We will miss you all so much. Pray you can visit 0ften. Your family will be in my prayers and you will always be in my heart. Thank you for all you have done.
I wish you and your family all the best! Personally I want to thank you and Jenny for always being there for me when I had a need. Whether it was Teal Night or finding a Porsche to borrow y’all never fail. You will be great at your new job and know the book will continue to help many. Never hesitate wretch out to me if I can do anything for y’all back here in AR. God Bless!
Congratulations !
I am so impressed with your willingness to put yourself in a vulnerable situation. Doing so, demonstrates real faith and courage.
Each time (2 times) I chanced jobs, I loved arriving with some experience and not having any mistakes (yet). In teaching fields, change is usually a good thing.
I have always admired you for all the you for so many.
I’m sure that will continue.
God Bless!
George Lieux
Wow, how exciting! Kevin, I am happy for you and your family. Thank you for treating me well. I wish nothing but the best for the Thompson family.
Love and Blessings,
Bill Bradshaw.
Congrats Kevin. I know a change is difficult but GOD is always there to take us through the change. I know all will be great for you and Jenny as well as Community Bible. May GOD always be with you.
Well, I will miss you & your family for sure. Best wishes in all y’all do!
What an exciting opportunity for you and your family. You will be missed but doing what God wants is best. I hope you continue writing and sharing. Blessings
You will be missed! How can Brison and I follow you? Blog and podcast yes (only “Be Human” so far correct?), but will we gain invite or access to daily or weekly speeches/sermons?
Wishing you happiness and success in your new position. Praying this transition isn’t difficult for you and your family. I know God will guide the way!
Congratulations Kevin on what sounds like an amazing opportunity to enrich many lives! The folks at Bayside will be so blessed to have you in their midst. I count it a blessing to have supported you in your years at SMBC on your journey to this new adventure. Wishing and praying for your continued success in ministry!
Going to miss you guys so much and Karen and I wish you all the happiness in the world and y’all will be in our prayers.
I hate to see you leave, But you have to do what your heart tells you to do. And some day you might be back.
This sounds like a great opportunity for you Kevin. You will be fantastic! We have read your books and they are words of wisdom! We enjoy hearing you preach so much! You will be missed!!
Well, I mentioned earlier that I “fell out of the loop, again” but now I understand Nan’s post. To tell you the truth, I am very sad – that is my selfish emotion. I have watched you grow up – was even one of your many teachers. Loving my students and watching them grow into loving caring adults, is a gift from God. Seeing you and your family grow and accept new challenges is a good thing. So I’ll try not to be sad and accept this new challenge but you will always be in my heart. I know Nan will keep us posted and we can still love all of you when you are far away. We all get in a safe place when our lives are consistent, routine is familiar and makes us comfortable. I guess we will find a new comfortable but we will never forget the 20 years you gave us. We are blessed.
Kevin, you have meant so much to my family in the past 3 years and for that I’ll always be truly grateful. I can’t express what you and the staff and this church has come to mean to me.
As a friend and my pastor you will be truly missed. I wish you and Jenny and your family much success, many many blessings and all the happiness in the world!
Good luck & God speed!
Kevin, we will be praying for you and your family. I believe God will work through this new ministry. I know He will change lives and marriages through your obiedience to His will.
We will miss you.
Our Love and Prayers are with you.
In His Love,
Ronnie and Cindy Barker
God Bless you and your family. I know God is with y’all. I thank you for your services to our church. Love y’all Anthony. Brenda. Altman.
Praise God for this new open door! I have enjoyed knowing you and hope to continue our friendship on Facebook. Congratulations! Many prayers will be lifted for you and your sweet family! Love, Sherry
Best of luck to u and your family!!! Thank u for everything u have done and all the great advice u have given me!!! Gonna miss u!
We pray for you to have a smooth transition, and ultimately success in your new position at Bayside Church. We do not attend Bayside, but one of our daughter’s husbands counsels a men’s group weekly there. Their daughter also volunteers with children’s groups. Welcoming you in advance, your new neighbors (other side of the fire hydrant). We are looking forward to meeting you. Please let us know if we can help you in any way before you arrive here. We have lived here for almost 50 years. We think you will love it here.
Thank you for the amazing message of truth & breaking it down in such a digestible form over the years. Thank you for adding truth of your own and genuineness to let us know you are no different from any of us and that we are indeed, not alone. Your family is beautiful and so warm. Thank you for being such a beautiful example of what a family guided by God, should look like.
Jay asked me if I had seen your post. WOW!!! I am happy for you and your family with the next right thing. I am confident that God is going to use you and your whole in the marriage ministry. I think adjusting to California from Arkansas will be your biggest challenge, but I know you guys are up to it. I think of your daughter often and I will pray that she finds her a good niche that will help her continue to blossom.
congratulations!! i am so happy for you and your family…my one and only question is: will you still publish this blog? it has brought me closer to religion and i rely on it (you) for guidance, inspiration, and help
Funny-I have followed you for some time- don’t recall how I found you in the first place, divine intervention? I have been to Fort Smith in my travels, but I live in California- Reading this post makes me giggle- My sister and several friends go to Bayside Church. All the best for you and your family in this new adventure. Welcome to California