So, I have resigned as Campus Minister at Campbell. On January 1, 2007, there will be a new way to describe Terry-Michael Newell, Jr. I am not sure what that description looks like. We’re not moving. We’re not selling our house (yet). However, I am probably selling my truck to get something a little older and less expensive and hopefully better on gas and for the environment. My wife is happy. My daughters are happy. And, our cat keeps drinking from the fish bowl (so I guess he’s happy too.)
I was not fired. I was not asked to resign. I am not disgruntled and I am not going to shoot anyone. I love being a Campus Minister. I love college students. I love Campbell. I love coffee. And, I love drinking coffee with college students at Campbell while being the Campus Minister.
This decision comes after a long period of thinking, praying, and writing in my journal. It’s a decision I feel very comfortable with even though there’s a lot that’s unknown in the not-so-distant future. The plans I have right now are these:
---enroll in a couple of counseling classes at Campbell
---complete a unit of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) in the winter/spring
---write a book about why 36 year-old guys shouldn’t quit a good job
---write another book about the risks of following God’s calling
---work part-time wherever I can to make sure our bills are paid (so, come on down to Lowes or Home Depot or Jiffy Lube and let’s chat about nails or screws or home improvement ideas or whether you’d like the full-package that includes your chassis lubed.)
All kidding aside, this is a drastic change. This is an emotional roller coaster (which makes it easier for me to sit in front of this computer and cry than to cry in front of each of you.) The last 10 years of serving in this role have taught me that my gifts and strengths as a person are centered in caring and counseling. I’m just wired that way. And my energy flows rapidly when helping others connect to a loving and relational God during critical times of life. It also runs rampant when someone simply needs to clarify what God is or is not saying about their own vocation. I love sitting with folks and trying to tame the unbridled spirit. I love being guided by the Spirit to stand with those who have been oppressed, mocked, beaten, depressed, suicidal, abused, or demoralized. I may not always have the answer, but I’m sure I have some questions that can help begin the journey of self-discovery.
I am not so clear about my own journey that I can describe it here for the entire world to see. But, I am sure that God is continually faithful to sustain me, whether I’m wandering through the wilderness or wrestling at the River of Jabbok. After the journey, I may be tired or I may be limping or I may be both. Either way, I am going with God.
I hope I get to see you along the way.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
19 comments:
TM,
As someone who left a ministry job (and salary and health care) to pursue something *else*, let me just say that...it's scary as hell. But some of us are doing it, and, if I may put it this baldly, the future of the church may lie in our hands.
Courage.
Tony
We will definitely miss you but I'm really glad that you are still ready to journey with God down whatever path he/she leads.
Thanks again for supporting the students here and making Campbell a school open to encountering the mystery of God!
-- Nick Tillman
TM,
I count you among my very best friends and colleagues here at Campbell. We have had a decade of service together, friendship, chats, backyard barbecues with our families. I will miss you as a Campbell colleague. But, it is good to know that friendships transcend employment locations. I will help you in any way I can.
Peace,
Glenn Jonas
Dash, you've truly been a blessing during your time at Campbell. We will all miss you horribly, but if you feel that it is time to move on then it is time to move on. I'll miss you. I hope and pray that God continues to bless you in your endeavors. Don't be a stranger.
Daniel West
TM,
Have you lost your mind? Your news has stirred up both emotion and memory for me. I was a kid about the age of Bailey when my dad decided to quit his good job and take a similiar crazy leap of faith. As a participant observer, I know you will discover many new things along your way about God, life and yourself as travel this unfamiliar trail. For some reason, God has gifted you to be a spiritual guide and counselor.
Trust the gift and the Giver, David
When we last spoke (2 months ago) I came away feeling something like this might be in the near future. Not that I actually expected this to happen as TM is synomous with CU in my mind, but God calls us to trust and obey. I am thankful that God is tugging at your heart and you are listening. How much many of us need to do the same. But please don't tell me this screws up Ashley and my plans for a Spring return to CU after 6 years! Well, God's speed to your opportunities. Semper Reformada (I thought you would like that)!
Love
bill f.
Wow i cant believe it... just when i began to have a personal relationship with you and the vision that God has placed on your heart about this campus... you leave me....My heart is broken but i know that what the Lord has in store for your live is simply going to blow not only your mind, but the mind of your family and others. God has placed a unique gift inside of you that most people have overlooked but the awesome things is... God hasn't forgotten about you and your gift. I will be praying for you and your family and just to give you encouragement from the Word of God.... The race is not given to the swift nor to the strong but to the one that will endureth to the end.... TM things will work out for the Good of them who loves the Lord...(thats you) just endure!!!
Stay encourage Love
Dexter
TM, Always wishing you the best. I too love Campbell and the phenomenal people of Buies Creek, but I loved her enough to let go when I needed to. Though the journey is not always smooth I applaud your willingness to follow your sense of call. I will not waste this space with some mindless cliche. Please know that you are loved and appreciated by many. You are always welcome at our mountain fire! - Wayne Ballard
wow TM,
i just have to say how very proud of you i am, and how inspiring this is to me. I'm not saying that because i am glad you are vacating your position, honestly you are one of my most beloved memories of campbell and CU is losing something very valuable.
However, even now in this tough time you exemplify what i love most about you. Unlike a lot of ministers that i have known, u have never presented yourself as anything but a real person. You have never placed yourself as high and holy, but always humbly as a fellow traveler on this road of faith. I know that is why i have always been drawn to you, and i think that it is that gift (among others) that has allowed the students to connect with you and be impacted by you.
Even now, you project uncertianty and frailty in your tough decision, but in doing so you have shown us that faith is hard and uncertian, but you do that not because you are trying to make that point, you simply are living your faith in a realistic way.
You never have claimed to know more of to be better than any other person. You very rarely give answers, but engage with questions. you never try to circumvent the spirit's leading in someone elses life by projecting your personal thoughts and/or beliefs into their spicific situations. You are to be admired for all you have done, what you are doing, and all you will do!
as always you have my support, my prayers and my friendship wherever and whenever you may need them. You have changed the life of both alison and myself, and i cannot wait to see where what oppertunities lie ahead of you and how many more lives you will be able to impact and change.
thank you for being you! thank you for all you've done! and thank you for our friendship!
we won't let you stray out of touch with us, sorry you're stuck! here's to the best: the best person and the best future
we love you TM!
justin and alison
TM,
May the peace of God be yours and your family's.
We need to talk.
Your brother in catharsis,
Zach
TM,
I wholly regret that we only once sat and talked, and that without a cup of coffee.
Perhaps we can sit and talk once more over java and share wih each other the men behind the masks that we must wear in a world over whom we weep.
In Christ,
Tim
TM,
I heard a rumor the other day but was just hoping it really was just a rumor. I was very sad to find out this morning in CUW that this rumor is true. I pray the best for you, and I do really hope that your face will not disappear on this campus. So I guess you, Lori & I really do need to get together and have coffee soon. Maybe next week, Wednesday or Thursday? Let me know, I think you have my email. Good luck w/ everything, but I'll be talking to ya soon!
In Christ,
~Amber~
Terry Michael. I haven't talked to you in ages, it seems, but I happened to click on your blog today. I was excited FOR you to read that you had decided to step in a new direction.
Thank you for the impact you've had on my life up to this point. You've been a friend, a listening ear, and a supporter. I sincerely appreciate all that you've done.
I believe in you and your ministry and I trust that you would not make a decision like that without intense prayer and belief that you are doing the right thing.
I wish you all the best, and please let me know where things are going for you, when you decide. And also any way that I can be of help.
Terry-Michael, it's hard to beleive you're leaving Campbell. Ever since I came here in Fall '05, I associated Campus Ministries with you. I know we don't know each other extremely well, but from seeing you, the effects you've had on me and my peers, and the impact you've had on this unversity, I can tell you I think you are a very blessed man of God. I wish you the very best of luck in everything you do, and I hope to see you in the future!
--Daniel Stovall
You are a Brave man . I'm SURE you will be fine and succeed in whatever you choose to do. Don't forget to take some time to go fishing . David
Sadness! But also, happy for you in that you are following God's call. Sometimes you just know that the time has come, and what comes next really turns out so much better than you could have imagined. But you will indeed be missed!
TM,
I have not had a chance to talk to you in over three years. The last time I remember chatting was I was telling you about my job in Georgia and how I did not want to say there but come back to North Carolina. WOW. I did it! I came back to NC and moved to New Bern, and thus I found a new place in my heart. I have not regrated that moved yet. I went back to School at ECU and began teaching school. I also went to Karakol, Kyrygyzstan (former Russian republic in Central Asia) in the summer of 2005 for the first time. While here I fell in love with this place and the children here, and you guessed it I moved here. I have been here for almost six months now. I am currenly the co-director of the orphanage and the children and youth minister at our church.
Today I just accidently opened your blog (I was looking for information on Campbell to give one of my youth who wants to study abroad). I can say I was a little suprised to open the blog and see you are leaving. I know God has amazing plans for you and your family.
TM I never really told you how much I appreciated our talks during the years I was at CU, when on BSU council, and when I was suggling with meeting my dad and family for the first time. I thank you now for being one of the greatest role models that I have ever had.
Give your family and hug and kiss for me and especailly tell Baily "Ms Libby says, 'hello'".
God bess you in all you do,
Libby Green
TM,
I regret that I have not gotten to know you better in your time here. After reading you blog, I realize this is my great loss. I admire your willingness to take this leap of faith to follow God's call. He will continue to lead you and fill your cup!
I'm glad to know that, for now, you are staying in Buies Creek. I look foward to continuing to see at Memorial and perhaps at Lowe's in Erwin or elsewhere and getting to know you better.
God's speed! Barry Howard
I thought I had told you this, but it looks like i hadn't: just a couple days after I first read this post of yours, I was going through some boxes and found a card you had sent me a few years ago, right after I had first met you.
It was crazy...made me all nostalgic. :) I'm sure (or at least, I hope) in the past few weeks you've come to see just how much you have meant to so many of us over the years.
I'm glad you're taking on this adventure -- God bless you and your family with it :)
Post a Comment