As the associate pastor, it was up to me to pick up the pieces and tend to the myriad of broken hearts left in the wake of the transition. Those initial two years were easily the worst years of my life. My church leadership degree and countless pastoral conferences up to that moment did little to insulate me from the onslaught of angry parishioners, hemorrhaging finances, isolation and abandonment in that season of ministry. 

Dave saved my life in ways I may never be able to fully articulate. We'd spent some time together before the great upheaval--smoking cigars, sipping the occasional beer, reflecting on current events and ruminating about the nuances of biblical context and theological formation. Dave had essentially washed his hands of church culture. Even so, he made me a promise as I took on the role of pastor: "I'll be there, every Sunday for the next six months--only for you". Six months ended up being six years.

Dave may have been somewhat indifferent about how the church made it through the transition, but he was not going to let me be collateral damage in another all too familiar story. There was no shortage of resources and advice available to me in guiding the church into the future, and I would certainly put my therapist through their paces in the coming months. Even so, it was Dave's promise and steadfast presence that gave me the centering and trustworthy companionship I needed to answer the call to shepherd such a wonderfully messy and earnest church community. He reminded me that I was Chip--husband, father, disciple, human--before I was the pastor.

We want to offer you the kind of direction and mentorship Dave so graciously extended to me. We would love the chance to help you make space to practice what you preach.