The 2008 District Council is now history.
Looking back at my April the 24th posting, a pre-council promotion, I couldn't have been more wrong - personally speaking. We walked into this year's council meeting with a very prosperous financial picture, AG ministerial expectations were being held to a high standard, a new and successful church plant was going well, our state wide - educational -Leadership Development picture is coming together, and we had pumped thousands of dollars into ministry throughout the state. I was pleased about our current position. But, to my surprise, the health of the district didn't seem to be of any interest. I didn't press what I felt were accomplishments for the year. After all, everyone did have them in writing. So I moved on.
What happened next did come as a surprise. In a flurry of balloting, a new Superintendent was selected. A strong, well orchestrated opposition voting block emerged immediately. Not one of my friends, ministerial colleagues, had mentioned that this was coming and that I might consider stepping aside, or at least let me know someone else wanted the position. Rather, they chose to catch me on the council floor. Following the election, the next morning, I addressed the group stating that being a dismissed CEO was like having an elephant in the room, uncomfortable. People looked at you like you had cancer, or had just been fired. I didn't want my family, or myself, to have to endure that for a prolonged period. I dismissed myself from the proceedings and we drove home. For the first time in my life I watched McGyver's second season DVD during a district council.
I have decided to speak up, in limited and appropriate places, because if I don't, it is tantamount to agreeing with what appears to be a voting statement that I did a poor job, and was fired as a result. If I remain silent, it would only reinforce that I hadn't done business for the district. Positions were garnered for and opportunities were capitalized on. I feel it was far from a simple nomination and balloting process. From those that oppose me - I expected it. Friends and colleagues - I didn't. In the past, when I served on a public school board, I expected that style of politics - in the church!? From friends!?
As a result, this blog is no longer attached to the District's Web site. Like me it is now free to find its own way.
6 comments:
I can only imagine how painfully dificult this must be for you. We are, of course, praying for you friend. Let me know if there is more we can do to help.
God bless you with His peace & rest in this storm. My fav verses are Jeremiah 29:11~13 and for good reason. In Christian Love & Prayers
I thank you for your ministry as Superintendent! I thank you that your ministry has reached the masses in such a personal way that it has truly touched lives one person at a time; as it will continue to touch lives one person at a time. I thank you for your sense of humor which softens hearts and makes them fertile soil to receive the serious life giving word you have to follow. I remember your message when you spoke of having coconut seed faith in parody to having mustard seed faith. That message left me encouraged and with a much better understanding of my own faith.
I thank you for desiring the excellent task of Superintendent. I thank you that you are above reproach, the husband of one wife, circumspect and temperate and self-controlled; sensible and well behaved and dignified and that you lead an orderly disciplined life. I thank you that you are hospitable and a capable and qualified teacher. I thank you that I have never seen or heard of you being given to wine, or combative but gentle and considerate, not quarrelsome but forbearing and peaceable and certainly not a lover of money. I thank you for leading your own household well, keeping your children under control, with true dignity, commanding their respect in every way and keeping them respectful. I thank you that you sir have a good reputation and are well thought of outside of the church.
I know I in no way officially represent the Assembly of God in Alaska but I apologize that some times we are the Assembly of God and some times we are the assembly of men. I pray that God grants great wisdom to our new leader. And I pray that God brings full fruition to the continued desire of your heart to be in His service. I also pray for you as Paul did for the Philippians. That your love may abound yet more and more and extend to its fullest development in knowledge and all keen insight. So that you may surely learn to sense what is vital, and approve and prize what is excellent and of real value, and that you may be untainted and pure and unerring and blameless the day of Christ. May you abound in and be filled with the fruits of righteousness (of right standing with God and right doing) which come through Jesus Christ (the Anointed One), to the honor and praise of God
I know God’s word doesn’t return void and I pray every encouraging word of God you have spoken to others returns to you a good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over.
And if you ever want to come along with the BREAD ministry you can even bring your elephant!
Love in Jesus,
“Peach” Holtzman
Peach - Thank you for your gracious words and kindness. You too are highly thought of and appreciated. Take care of yourself and keep loving Jesus.
Greetings Ted,
I am surprised and saddened. Of course, I have no idea regarding the issues of the Alaska District, but personally, I will miss you as a friend and comrade.
Blessings!
Steve
Steve Tourville: You have been a great blessing to me. You have inspired me and been a great friend. I will miss you. May the Lord bless all that you do!
Ted
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