Lessons I’m Learning in the Loss of My Teaching Position (Part 4 of 4)

Friends:

Many of you know that I have been teaching theology and other subjects at Columbia International University for about 19 years.  That chapter in my life has now come to an end.
Because of declining enrollment in the seminary and the need to get the budget in line with our upcoming accreditation visit, I and nine other CIU employees were let go:  four faculty and six staff.  It was a sad day when we each learned that our contracts would not be renewed for the coming year.

Linda and I are slowly learning to trust the Lord for the next steps. If you have room on your prayer list, here’s how you can pray for us —
1. That we would have wisdom in making decisions about Social Security, part-time jobs, opportunities to preach the Word and help out other schools in teaching courses.
2. That we would be faithful in the responsibilities He gives us right now!
3. That we would be open to whatever ministry He gives us next. We would prefer not to move (our six grandkids are all within an hour and a half of us), but we want His will above all else.

Here are a couple of part-time jobs I’m pursuing while applying for teaching opportunities:

I’ve started a small pressure-washing business in my neighborhood. I’m also re-purposing vintage wooden tennis racquets (you can check out my Etsy store (called “Wooden You Rather”) here. And, I’ll probably try my hand at driving for UBER!

My heart is in preaching and teaching the Word of God — so let me know if your church would like to host a “Theology Matters” conference!

 

Lessons I’m Learning in the Loss of My Teaching Position (Part 3 of 4)

Friends:

Many of you know that I have been teaching theology and other subjects at Columbia International University for about 19 years.  That chapter in my life has now come to an end.
Because of declining enrollment in the seminary and the need to get the budget in line with our upcoming accreditation visit, I and nine other CIU employees were let go:  four faculty and six staff.  It was a sad day when we each learned that our contracts would not be renewed for the coming year.

But God is faithful — and we are keeping a list of how He is meeting our needs!  Here are several items on that list —

1.  The Lord (almost immediately) gave me the opportunity to teach a survey of Bible doctrine course to lifers at the Kirkland prison.

2.  I’ve been preaching the month of July in Augusta (in a church whose pastor is battling cancer) and we’ve been a mutual encouragement to each other.

3.  My wife Linda has been a real trooper in standing by me and encouraging me in this time of possible self-doubt and discouragement.

But there are some tears.  Here’s a song by Danny Gokey that expresses some of what I’ve been going through.  And thank you for your prayers for us.

 

Lessons I’m Learning in the Loss of My Teaching Position (Part 2 of 4)

Friends:

Many of you know that I have been teaching theology and other subjects at Columbia International University for about 19 years.  That chapter in my life has now come to an end.
Because of declining enrollment in the seminary and the need to get the budget in line with our upcoming accreditation visit, I and nine other CIU employees were let go:  four faculty and six staff.  It was a sad day when we each learned that our contracts would not be renewed for the coming year.

But God is faithful — and we are keeping a list of how He is meeting our needs!

I grew up as a baby Christian on the hymn “Count your blessings — Name them one by one — Count your blessings — See what God has done!”  Linda and I are counting our blessings and trying to stay alert in noticing the specific ways in which the Lord is answering our prayers.  Here are three of our recent blessings:

1. He gives us friends to encourage and strengthen us in our present trial.
2. He provides opportunities to serve Him and use whatever gifts He has given us (I’m in my first week of teaching a survey of Bible doctrine to lifers at a local prison).
3. He helps the two of us to get more serious in our prayer life together.

My prayer for today: “Lord, help me to get better at my spiritual math, counting the blessings You are bringing my way. Forgive me when I allow wrong thoughts to camp on my front porch — thoughts that I have been abandoned, discarded, devalued, not worth fighting for. Remind me of Your presence and incredible concern for me and my family. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

 

Lessons I’m Learning in the Loss of My Teaching Position (Part 1 of 4)

Friends:
Many of you know that I have been teaching theology and other subjects at Columbia International University for about 19 years.  That chapter in my life has now come to an end.
Because of declining enrollment in the seminary and the need to get the budget in line with our upcoming accreditation visit, I and nine other CIU employees were let go:  four faculty and six staff.  It was a sad day when we each learned that our contracts would not be renewed for the coming year.

The Lord is teaching me and my wife Linda a great deal through this unexpected end to my full-time teaching career at CIU.

Although the release was completely unexpected, we are working our way through our emotions and seeking the Lord’s will in our situation. We have taken as our verse for this time Psalm 118:17 which says, “I will not die, but live and will proclaim what the Lord has done.” (to be continued)