Bill and Becky are more than happy to answer questions about this season of change.  Here are the answers to some questions that have already been asked:

Q.  Where are you going?

A.  To  Langhorne Presbyterian Church, in lower Bucks County, north of Philadelphia.

Q.   What is Langhorne like?

A.   Langhorne is a small town that served as a stage stop during Colonial and Revolutionary War times.  It’s not far from where Washington crossed the Delaware River on Christmas Eve in 1776.  The town is now surrounded by suburban housing developments.  Many residents and church members commute to work in Philadelphia, the Princeton, New Jersey, area and New York City. 

Q.  What is the church like?

A.  Langhorne Presbyterian Church is a 550-member church with about 350 worshiping at 3 services on Sunday morning.  The church is intentionally evangelical in its theology and has a passion for mission.  Strong youth, music, and children’s ministries are part of the congregation’s life, as is a well-developed network of small groups.  The staff includes a full-time Youth Director, full-time Program Coordinator, full-time Executive Administrator and a full-time and a part-time secretary.  Four or five part-time persons staff the music ministry.  Pastoral care is currently  covered by  two part-time pastoral associates. Here is their website

Q.  Why are you making this move?

A.  Both Becky and I believe that this is God’s call – much more a call to Langhorne than from Beaver.  The decision to leave Beaver has been harder than the decision to go to Langhorne, and one of the hardest decisions Becky and I have made in 30 years of marriage.  The invitation into the process of seeking a new call came as a surprise, but it was clearly something towards which God, through the Holy Spirit, was nudging us.  While practical concerns entered into our decision-making, any increase in salary will go towards the much higher cost of housing and we move further from, not closer to, our kids. 

Q.  Is your decision final?

A.  Yes, but still subject to dismissal from Beaver-Butler Presbytery and an examination and reception by Philadelphia Presbytery. 

Q.  What is the timeline?

A.  The Session met Tuesday, October 23, and then a letter to the congregation (see above) was mailed to the congregation on Wednesday, October 24.  An announcement and a call for a congregational meeting will be made on Sunday, October 28.  I will address some issues as I preach from Philippians 1.  Our Beaver-Butler Presbytery Committee on Ministry will act on our request and it will be announced at the November 13 presbytery meeting in Bridgewater.  On November 27, I will be examined by Philadelphia Presbytery and, God willing, accepted into membership as of January 28.  Tentatively I plan to preach a final sermon at Park on January 6 and then will use earned vacation time for the move and a transition to Langhorne. 

Q.  After you are gone, especially during the interim, will you be available for weddings, funerals and baptisms?

A.  No.  It's the policy of the Presbytery that all former pastors and their families have minimal contact with their former churches, and then only by invitation.  It's a policy with which I fully concur.

Q.  Are you happy about the move?

A.  Yes and no.  There are some wonderful opportunities and possibilities at Langhorne.  Becky and I have always enjoyed new adventures.  But the thought of leaving Park Church makes us very sad, indeed.

Q.  So what will you miss?

A.  People first.  We will miss all the members of this wonderful congregation.  We will miss some particular and personal friends.  Becky and I have never been as blessed with couple-to-couple friendships as much as we have in Beaver.  I will miss some great pastoral colleagues.  We will also miss walks along River Road, quick trips “up street,” Café Kolache and Mario’s.

Q.  Will you become an Eagles fan?

A.  I hope not, though I may have to fake it.

Q.  What sorts of reactions have you encountered from those in the Park congregation with whom you have shared your decision?

A.  There’s been a wide range of responses.  Many people have expressed both sorrow and joy in the same conversation.  Some people have spoken honestly about a feeling of abandonment, perhaps even betrayal. Some have wanted to talk about that difficult period we went through six or seven years ago.  I am glad that they have been willing and able to share those thoughts.  They are real and I struggled mightily with many of them in coming to my decision.  Some people will be profoundly affected by this change, others not so much.  Some may welcome it.  We want to accept all comments and affirm the speaker in his or her willingness to share them.  That’s part of the communication piece of the transition period. 

Q.  What about 9½ years at Park are you celebrating most?

A.  Friendships.  The exaltation of Christ in worship and the opportunity to preach the Word from our great pulpit.  ABC classes where the Word was explored and relationships built.  Funerals where the saints were remembered, baptisms where grace was experienced and weddings where God was glorified and marriage held in honor by all.  I celebrate the birth and growth of the Belo-Beaver Partnership and its life-changing impact upon many.  I celebrate the building renovation and the faithful response of this congregation in seeing to its completion.  And much, much more.

Q.  Communication and celebration.  What about challenge?

A.  Park Church faces some significant challenges.  One of the biggest will be for each member, beginning with the Session, to take ownership of the church and to understand that every single one of us is being sent by God to go about the good purposes He has for us in the church and outside the church.  It will be a challenge to shift our view of the church from existing to serve our needs to existing to glorify Christ and meet the needs of the world He loves. 

Q.  Do you have any prayer concerns?

A.  Yes.  That we communicate well, celebrate deeply and face our challenges honestly.  Pray for us that we might honor Christ in this transition.  Pray that our house sells quickly. 

Q.  Is God still in charge of our lives, still Head of His church and Lord of all that is?

A.  Yes.