September 26, 2026

Dear Rockford Reformed Church family and friends,

Over the past few years, our leaders have turned some focus toward succession for our church’s various leadership, staff, and ministry roles. We have seen this bear fruit when someone steps away or transitions to another role, and there are others who step up to capably take up the ministry. We want everyone—whether it’s assisting with worship, preparing a bulletin, nursery care, teachers, and much more—to prepare for future ministry and leadership through intentionally discipling and investing in others for the sake of Christ’s vision here for us.

I bring this up because succession certainly applies to the pastoral ministry role that I have had the privilege of taking up here for almost nine years as well. After a season of discernment and prayer, I am led to turn the page from serving as lead pastor into a new chapter of serving in other ways by May of 2028. I will be nearly 69 at that time and while I love you all and how God has authored the story of our ministry together, I reluctantly admit some creeping resistance with energy and physical limitations. I still have only one speed through life and ministry for the sake of Christ, but I am certain that my future service will require some slowdown and adjustments that will be for our good and his glory.

God has wonderfully joined us together in ministry for critical seasons of a pandemic, transition to the ARC, and the Welcome renovation. Infinitely more importantly, God has graciously transformed and equipped us through the gospel so that we have begun to lay a foundation for a Jesus-exalting ministry in this community and beyond.

There is a long biblical history of good and gracious succession (think Moses/Joshua, David/Solomon, Elijah/Elisha, Jesus/his disciples, Paul/Timothy (2 Tim. 2:2)). We should see this transition as more of God’s goodness and grace for us. I was with about 60 of Ruth’s family members for a reunion over three days last week in Houston, and since I’m the family pastor, several sad stories of transitions and succession for pastors and churches were unloaded on me. We may get anxious and grieve over this change, but it will be because God has graciously worked in us toward serving him with joy and a deep love for each other. What a gift over these years! He has always been faithful and will never stop for our journey together. And, if it seems good at the time, Ruth and I will serve with you all in other ways.

As well, Lord willing, we get to pray, lean on Jesus, and prepare well ahead of time for pastoral succession. Over the last several months, we have a succession team (Eric Ringnalda, Seth Clayton, Beth Triezenberg, Stephanie Bergman, Kevin Johnson, Sandy Swett, James Karsten, Craig VanderHeide (chair), and me) that has been meeting regularly and working toward preparing us for whatever succession God has for us.

“Whatever succession” means that as we prepare for the future, we will be flexible for who and how God may provide over the next almost 2 years. Many of us will think back to the past when we simply formed a search committee who would seek a replacement for the departing pastor after he left. But times have dramatically changed in that there is a flood of pastors who are retiring/stepping away from ministry at this time and a tiny trickle of seminary graduates or quality candidates who may be willing to take up a new position. This is one reason why succession, where we plan and prepare for the future, can be most fruitful.

Over these next 21 months, perhaps God will raise up one or two or one and a part-time person who could take up some of the work—maybe from within our church family or outside? If God provides someone sooner than later over this season, it could be especially helpful for me to mentor and prepare this person for taking up a role—perhaps over 6, 9, or 12 months. We are developing a church profile for potential candidates that will make it clear that, just as it has been for us, the supremacy of Jesus and gospel centrality will be critical for anyone leading us into the future. We are beginning to work toward identifying potential people who may serve well.

We will gather for a short time after worship tomorrow to provide a bit more information and answer questions. In the meantime, you are encouraged to be alert for any potential person whom you think we could contact to take up a pastoral role in the future. Most importantly, this is a spiritual endeavor and thus, it is a matter of prayer. If you get what you pray for, we will want to be a congregation on our knees seeking God’s gracious provision for the future of this his church. Along the way, we will work to keep you well informed, and you are always welcome to inquire with any member of our succession team.

While everything else fades or withers away, his Word stands forever (Is. 40:8). This will be the foundation for our future—with Jesus as the hope and anchor for our souls (Heb. 6:19).

Our confidence is in him,

Pastor Tim