The Four-Legged Stool

At the end of the year, I will finish my work as coordinator of the Tennessee Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. At that point, I will be into my tenth year in that role. It has been challenging to serve as the first full-time state worker for this group of progressive Tennessee Baptists, but it is time to move on.

Some have asked me what I plan to do in “retirement.” Now that some things have fallen into place, I can describe my plans as a four-legged stool, but one that I will probably stand on rather that sit upon.

First, I plan to spend added time with family. With four grandchildren here in Murfreesboro--age range 4 to 21--Rita and I have plenty of opportunities for grandparenting right here at home. We also have a grandson in California and a granddaughter and three great-grandchildren in Wisconsin, so we will take our grandparenting on the road from time to time as well.

Second, we will continue to be active in our church—First Baptist, Murfreesboro. A fellow church member and I hope to begin a new Sunday school class in the fall that we are calling “All Things Considered.” I have found that I learn best in a group, so I look forward to some great learning experiences through this class.

Third, Central Seminary has asked me to continue as director of the seminary site in Murfreesboro on a contract basis (part-time, of course). The commitment is year-to-year. I will be teaching occasionally. In the fall, I will co-teach a ministry praxis (field education) course with Professor Terry Rosell from the main campus in Shawnee. I am enjoying this on-going relationship with President Molly Marshall and friends at CBTS.

The last leg is one that was finalized this week. I will be working with my friend and colleague Mark Tidsworth in his new endeavor, Pinnacle Leadership Associates. I am honored that he would ask me to be part of this venture. On a contract basis, I will be doing some clergy coaching, training, and church consultation--wherever Mark thinks I can be of help. The website http://www.pinnaclelead.com/ should be up and running by June 1. My participation will be limited for the rest of the year, but I wanted to be involved in this effort from the beginning.

I think all of this will keep me busy (as I want to be) and will give me the opportunity to continue to exercise my gifts in ways that I enjoy. I love it when a plan comes together!

Comments

Cory said…

You've served well as state coordinator. Blessings on what lies ahead.

Cory

11:26 AM

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