“…neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.” Matthew 9:17
Dear Sunrise,
Last Sunday, at the end of worship, I announced my decision to transition out as pastor of Sunrise UMC in June. Over the past six weeks I’ve been in frequent consultation with our Bishop, Connie Mitchell Shelton, regarding my assessment of Sunrise and my thoughts about the many possibilities for our church’s future. I shared that my seven year tenure has been marked by two very different seasons. The first half of my tenure was a time of significant growth and expansion. The second half was marked by the need for steady leadership in the midst of a global pandemic and denominational schism.
I shared with the Bishop my profound love and gratitude for Sunrise. I also expressed my delight in the many accomplishments our congregation has achieved over the past several years (becoming debt-free, weathering the challenges of a difficult season, returning to growth in membership and financial health, missions engagement, etc.). Most pertinently, I shared my assessment that Sunrise is entering a new/third season of yet untapped potential for mission, ministry, and outreach.
I believe Sunrise needs a time of fresh visioning for what it is called to accomplish over the next 18-36 months. I also believe that Sunrise needs fresh pastoral leadership to reach its fullest potential for the season ahead. For me to stay for the season ahead would be akin to putting new wine into old wineskins. Therefore, I told Bishop Shelton that if she and the Cabinet need me to serve in another location in our Conference, I will go. On Friday, April 5, we learned that in June, I will be appointed to serve as the senior pastor of Southern Pines UMC. We likewise learned that day that the Rev. William Sabiston will be appointed to serve as Sunrise’s fifth pastor, effective July 1, 2024. William currently serves as the pastor of First UMC Siler City.
In the coming weeks, Pastor William will meet with the Sunrise Staff-Parish Relations Committee to begin learning about their hopes for his ministry in the season ahead. William and I have already been in contact, and will soon begin regular meetings to best facilitate his smooth transition. He is rightly thrilled to learn he is coming to Sunrise – and I am thrilled for him!
I am so very grateful for your love, support, and partnership in ministry these past seven years. Serving as Sunrise’s pastor has been one of the biggest honors of my life. I could not have asked for a more loving church for my daughter to experience the warmth and care of Christian community in her earliest years. Thank you, Church.
I invite your prayers for my family as we prepare to move to a new area and ministry. I also invite your prayers for William, his wife, and their children as they move to Holly Springs. I ask that you extend to them the same love and care you offered my family. My life is all the richer because Sunrise has been part of it. I am excited to see where God leads Sunrise as we all move forward to serve Christ and his Kingdom.
With love and gratitude,
John Michael+