Big Changes Coming for the Riddleblogger

Many of you know that after twenty-five wonderful years I will be retiring at year end from my duties as Senior Pastor at Christ Reformed Church.

My wife, Micki, has recently retired after forty years working in travel accounting.  She's worked very hard, has had a distinguished career, and deserves a respite from the long and wearisome hours spent at her computer looking at fill-in templates and spreadsheets which I cannot even begin to understand.

We are also anticipating the birth of our first grandchild in January.  We are absolutely thrilled.  More to come?  Hope so!

Big changes, indeed.

So, in light of these changes, what does the future hold for me and the Riddleblog? 

Although I am retiring as a Senior Pastor, I won't be unemployed.  I'll be teaching two classes at Westminster Seminary California in the Spring of 2021.  Only the Lord knows what I'll be doing beyond that.  If Covid-19 has taught us anything, it is that the normal routines of life can quickly change in dramatic and unexpected ways.

As you may have noticed the last few years, my productivity at the Riddleblog has slowed, in part, because my pastoral duties at Christ Reformed have required my full attention and diminishing energies.  I have focused upon my church duties and related preaching and Bible study/lectures (the content of which has been made available on the Riddleblog).

I also made the decision that given the tribalism of our current political context, it was important that I steer clear of divisive political issues and personalities (about which I maintain great interest and have strong opinions) and concentrate on my calling to preach God's word and administer the sacraments, as well as utilize my teaching gifts.  Others are better equipped for the social media Jihad than I.

So, as my retirement from Christ Reformed draws near, I can say that I intend to stay active after stepping down as long as health allows and interest remains.  I'd like to complete several writing projects, teach as I can, and retool the Riddleblog (more on this in the months ahead). 

But before I retire, I still have the glorious opportunity to preach through the rest of Romans.  Lord willing, that is what I will do.  To paraphrase Yogi Berra, "it ain't over till the last doxology is sung."

Stay tuned . . .