Just Wanna Say...

... that I'm doing okay. ;-) Thanks to all who've been in touch, sent messages, posted on my Facebook wall... your encouragement means alot.

I'm moving forward... not even thinking about ministry right now. I took a 10-day sabbatical and headed South... spent some time in Hotlanta, as well as in Alabama with my buddy The Movie Pastor.

[SIDEBAR: if you live anywhere near Decatur, AL, you MUST ATTEND a Crosspoint service where he pastors... that church ROCKS, baby!!]

Now, I'm just trying to face forward, and trust God for next steps. He knew I'd be here, so it seems best to let Him direct the way. ;-)

Much love to my peeps... I'll send advance notice when I'm about to begin blogging again!

Holla!

Hear It From Me...

I had been contemplating on when I would write this post... and it seems like now is the best time. By now, many of you have heard that I stepped down a few weeks ago as Lead Pastor of Mosaic Church DC. So, I just wanted to post the letter that I read to the church... so that you guys hear it from me, and not through the grapevine:

This is probably the hardest thing I’ve ever had to say… but, during a time of hurt/pain, weariness, and depression, I got caught up in sin for a short time. I have since repented of that sin, confessed it to God and to others, and have submitted myself to a handful of pastors/friends for accountability, next steps, and restoration. However, I do need to step away from ministry for a season… to work on pursuing health for myself and for my family. Therefore, effective today, I am resigning as the Lead Pastor of Mosaic Church. The healing that needs to take place on all fronts is a long process, and therefore requires my not trying to lead a congregation in the midst of that.

I also need to ask your forgiveness. My decision to step down will cause a mega shift in your life, as far as church is concerned. “Pastor D” will no longer be your pastor. But please know that this entire situation is in the hand of God… as this is His church, He will continue to set the course and lead the way. Continue to trust Him, continue to give yourselves to Him and to this ministry, regardless of who is leading from up front.

I love you with all my heart. I will never forget you. This may end our ministry together for at time, but hopefully not our friendship.

Please keep me in your prayers,

Darren

Please understand that I have been as publicly transparent as possible, while still trying to preserve and protect the privacy of my family. I have made full disclosure with the band of pastors walking with me, as well as our denominational leadership. I have not hidden anything. However, please understand that this is not an easy situation... and, as such, I ask that you be very prayerful for my family and I during this season of healing.

God is getting us through this... His faithfulness has been amazing... and your prayers have been felt. Mosaic continues to go on... please keep the church in your prayers, as well.

Thank you so much.

Darren

Stay Tuned...

Hey, folks...

I know I haven't blogged in awhile... and, even when I have, lately it's been sporadic at best. But I'm coming back... sooner than later! Mega transitions, shifts in focus (for the good), and some much needed time off has kept me away... but I look forward to returning. ;-)

Keep D-Plum in your prayers... God is good. :)

DP

Show and Tell Commitment

I don't know about you, but sometimes I'm not a very trusting person. It really takes alot for me to trust... because I've been let down by so many people over my lifetime. And trust, once broken, is not an easy thing to re-establish.

In human relationships, in order to trust a person's commitment to us, we really need more than their word that they "will be there" for us, especially if the history between us just isn't that extensive. Or, I can promise you something, but unless you see some hope of commitment, you'll always be a little skeptical. Words simply aren't enough...

During my early years of elementary school, we used to have a time called "Show & Tell", where you were allowed to bring in a toy or gift or something, and talk about it: when did you get it? Who bought it? Where is it from? Why is it special? Now, if you didn't have your toy with you on your day to share, then you lost your share time... because it's ONE thing to talk about your toy... quite another thing for your fellow classmates to be able to SEE IT. Because when I see what it is you're describing, I can put 2 + 2 together; I have more than just an idea of what you're talking about; what you say and what I see go hand in hand.

Sometimes we think it's enough to just say how we feel in our commitments to one another; showing it is irrelevant. But what is true of toys is true of people: I KNOW what you mean, by adding together what you say and what I see. If the two are incongruent, then ambiguity is the result... I don't really know that you mean what you say.

Not even God "says" without "showing"... He puts the two together, you know. The Bible says, "God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for our sins..." (Rom. 5:8). Real commitment has proof... because words sometimes just aren't enough. And that's not all... Jesus died for us, so that we can have eternal life. He gave us His word that we can live forever... and then He rose from the dead!! Jesus' resurrection showed that we can take Him at His word!

Show and tell commitment... words sometimes just aren't enough.

Sunday Nite Speak!

* Good nite tonight... Steve Layne did an awesome job! Hit the nail on the head, he did... the guy's a phenomenal preacher! Great way to celebrate TWO YEARS OF MINISTRY: Steve spoke from Joshua 1... BACK TO THE FUTURE - looking back on the blessings of God, but moving forward to what He has in store for us! Look back, but don't stay behind!

* Thought the worship was good... man, I am DRAINED, though! FOUR MONTHS of double duty has really taken it's toll. Pastor D is depleted... for real. I'll be taking it relatively easy over the next few weeks, though. Guest speakers coming in... hopefully, guest musicians, too! Great to know there are guys connected to me who love this ministry and want to help out!

* My friend Shawn McBride was in the house tonighte... what an encourager! He's a BIG PROPONENT of churches loving hard on their pastor (and no... I didn't tell him to say ANY OF THAT, lol!) So, he came up and gave a few words and a "brief" challenge to the church... good stuf, Pastor Shawn! And Mosaic... you guys STEPPED UP WELL!!! Good gracious modacious! Thank you SO MUCH for being so generous! What Shawn said was true... Pastors are human, too, and need to sometimes see/hear/feel love from their people. You showed that today... thank you.

* Well, I will be taking a MUCH NEEDED blog break... I shall return soon in a week... or two. ;-)