This is the statement that we read to the Junior Core on Sunday. Most of you have already heard this, but we said that we would post it here. We love you guys, and are going to miss you.
As all of you have noticed, there have been a lot of changes at Faith Bible Church over the past few months. As a result of this, we wanted to inform you, our Core Group, that we are stepping down from our position on youth staff. It is our wish that Josh and Kim Branch will take our place as your Core leaders. Our decision to step down from youth staff is in no way a result of anything you have done. It has been a joy getting to know you guys over the last 3 years.
We desire to serve at a church that is missional, dedicated to outreach, and to church planting. Throughout the five years we have attended Faith Bible, we were trained in the new paradigm through BILD about missions and how the local church is supposed to function. We have learned our role and want to be devoted to the process we have begun. When the elders changed their position on BILD we realized there was no longer a place for us at this church, so we are moving on to continue in what we have been taught and have learned.
We want to make very clear that we fully believe in every aspect of the doctrines of Grace and will continue to embrace, love, and teach them. Also, we want to make clear that we are in no way a part of the emerging movement.
We want to thank you for some of the best ministering experience of our lives. Watching you grow over the last 3 years both physically and spiritually has been a joy. Our doors are always open.
Everything we have said is available in printed form, as well as on Xanga so that there is no confusion in what we have said.
At this time (Sunday afternoon at Core, 10/21/07) you are the only people we have told. You are the first to know because you are the most important to us. Following CORE we will be notifying Carl Schmucker, the elder, and the Youth Staff.
