Letter of resignation - presented with tears...

Yesterday I read this letter at the end of our worship:

It has been my joy and privilege to serve as the Lead Pastor of North Raleigh Church of the Nazarene since August 1, 2007.  Recently I shared with our church family that our declining attendance and not meeting our financial goals have placed our church in jeopardy. As we take proactive steps to become debt free as a church it has become evident that the current financial health of the church requires difficult decisions to help bring our budget in line for a church our size. We now depend upon increased financial assistance from the North Carolina District. In consultation with Dr. Greg Mason, District Superintendent and after sharing a prayerful decision with members of the Church Board, I hereby resign my position as Lead Pastor of North Raleigh Church of the Nazarene. My last Sunday public service at North Raleigh will be March 13, 2016.

                                        Pastor Rick Hudgens

                                        February 14, 2016


"The Lord himself will go ahead of you. He will be with you. He will never leave you.          He’ll never desert you. So don’t be afraid. Don’t lose hope.” Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV

Here is a version I love:

It is the Lord Who goes before you; He will [march] with you; He will not fail you or let you go or forsake you; [let there be no cowardice or flinching, but] fear not, neither become broken [in spirit—depressed, dismayed, and unnerved with alarm].  Deuteronomy 31:8 Amp.