January 21, 2024
Dear Church Family,
Today, in worship, I announced that we are beginning a season of transition that will lead to my retirement. This news is hard for me to share. It will be difficult to say goodbye to a generation of relationships here at SBPC, and it will be challenging for Amy and me to close out this chapter of almost four decades of full-time ministry together. We are filled with gratitude for the call of a lifetime here at SBPC and believe God is calling us into this new chapter of our lives.
As Amy and I were discerning the timing of our retirement, I prayed about and began having initial discussions on how we might make a senior pastor transition that honors God and the transformation we have experienced. In consultation with the Presbytery of San Diego, Session approved a co-pastor position, which will be presented at the Congregational Meeting on January 28. We believe this process will maintain and grow our spiritual momentum and provide the best opportunity for continuity. For more information on the process, please click these links for a letter and FAQs from Session.
The past twenty-one years at SBPC have been transformational for all of us—from intergenerational worship to sermon-based small groups, rebuilding our campus to regathering after a pandemic, spending time alone with God, and serving the church and the world. We have seen God’s faithfulness and grown in our love for God and each other.
Together, we have learned to take one step at a time, trusting and giving thanks for God’s leading and provision. I believe we are at a very healthy and energized place to embrace this season of transition, trust God as a church family, and look forward to new pastoral leadership that will take SBPC into the next decades. I consider it a great honor to lead and journey with you through this season of transition.
Over the next year, we will set a retirement date and celebrate what God has done in and through all of us. For now, will you pray for Amy and me, our Session, our deacons, our Nominating Committee, our Co-Pastor Nominating Committee, our staff, and our congregation? Would you continue being the church together – bound together in unity, praying for each other, building each other up, faithfully serving, and giving generously?
Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:3–4 (NIV)
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20–21 (NIV)
In Christ,
Mike McClenahan
Senior Pastor
