A Season of Change

I had never been to a Cracker Barrel before. It was the first Saturday in June, 1991; I sat at a table, for the first time, with Jim and Jill Rogers.

Jim was working then for the Gaither Studio—and an additional few hours each week as the youth pastor at North. The church had lost its youth minister the year before and Jim and Jill had agreed to step into the void temporarily, bridging the program until another pastor could be found. But, as months went by, they found a kind of fulfillment working with teenagers they had not known before. And it wasn’t just the kids they enjoyed; they also loved working with the other adult volunteers, developing friendships and watching God bless.

I was the new Senior Pastor, in town to buy a house before moving to Anderson a few months later. “Could it be that God is calling us into the ministry?” “What do you think Pastor Lyon?” I told them about my own call to ministry. It seemed like my story was much like theirs, only I was just a bit farther down the road.

After some serious prayer, I spoke also with North’s lay leadership. They, too, had seen the Lord’s hand on Jim and Jill and encouraged me to explore with them the possibilities of a fulltime post. I did. And the Rogers’ said, “Yes!” Jim and I began working full-time at North on the same day, August 11, 1991.

Jim and Jill, Maureen and I became close friends. They invited us into their home on our first Christmas Day in Anderson, when we felt otherwise quite alone. They made us a part of their family. Jill made a pot of chili, with salad and treats on the buffet, in their house in old Edgewood. We drank hot chocolat and watched Josh and Nathanael play in the family room; the boys were then two years old. As we drove home, Maureen and I talked about how important the Rogers had become to us; we could not have survived the adjustment of moving from Seattle to Anderson without them by our side.

Jim’s ministry evolved at North. From youth to administration to discipleship and education to pastoral care to Senior Associate, leading the Associate staff. He stepped forward to preach. He mastered weddings and funerals. He helped dream dreams. He held steady when I might have faltered, walking the long road that has brought us to Madison Park.

Jill kept the homefires burning, through it all. She pioneered ministry for special needs children at North, sang in the Women’s Ensemble, ministered to the pastor’s wives, organized back-up singers for the Retro, whipped up a mean latte in the Holy Grounds, hosted a small group, and oh-so-much-more.

Our families went to the pumpkin patch together. To Siesta Key for spring break. Out to dinner. Over for dinner. To the movies. Jim and I went to India. Maureen and Jill went to Seattle. Our sons became brothers. Maureen stood by Jill’s bed as Caleb was born. I stood beside them as they dedicated Caleb and Libby to the Lord. We’ve laughed and cried. Through triumphs and tragedies. They have blessed us, as I know they have blessed many of you. We have been strengthened by their love and witness, as I know you have been, as well.

But, some very tough challenges, in time, chased Jim and Jill down. In the end, their marriage has unraveled. It’s a complex and sad story—such stories always are. A sobering tale of loss and grief, broken hearts and missed moments. It is not necessary to visit the details; it’s enough to know that two people held very dear by all of us have found themselves in a desperate season— and their children find themselves now living in a broken home.

As a consequence, Jim has stepped forward to resign from his position as our Senior Associate, effective June 1. He has not done so because of a moral failure or gross sin, but because he knows that given the circumstances, many of which are beyond his control, he needs to focus on rebuilding his life, investing in his children, and developing a new reservoir of emotional and spiritual energy before venturing back into a leadership role.

The ministry can require you to deliver a lot to others; Jim knows he doesn’t have that much to give right now.

Perhaps, someday, he will be clothed, once more, in a pastor’s mantle—but not now. And with this assessment, the Board of Elders, his psychologist, his friends on the staff, and yes, this Senior Pastor all agree.

It is with unspeakable sadness that I write these things. Jim and Jill, Josh, Caleb, and Libby are treasured more than words can tell. It is impossible for me to comprehend that they are not still one family. But, things are as they are.

Pray for them. Each one. Love them. Every one. Lift them up and expect the best from them. All of them, even as they walk through this deep valley. May the Lord bring them healing and place, as they seek His perfect will and way.

And, thank God for the years Jim and Jill have poured into the Lord’s work at North. We will never be the same.

I love you, Jim and Jill. My heart aches for you. Please know that you and your children will always be a part of our family. Just like you made us a part of yours so many Christmases ago.