Scott Harris

Today is my last official day in the office as pastor. I’ve tied up loose ends and will turn in my keys.

Seems so surreal. Nine years and 4 months ago there was no Rock Church. Now there’s a vibrant community of people serving Christ and His mission in South Snohomish County. I, along with my wife, are humbled to have been used by God to start this work.

But I really want to keep my keys! Something so small but a key represents authority and access. I know I’ll always be remembered as the "founding pastor" but it’s time for another to carry the keys.

Yesterday my family and I were honored at our last service as pastors of The Rock Church, Lynnwood, WA. It was truly an amazing morning!

Here’s just a few reflections as I continue to sift through the hundreds of kind remarks, warm hugs and running mascara.

• Terry Patton’s reminder that we will always be the "founding pastor" rocked me.
• Also, when Terry talked about never having to drag his teenage boys to church…that’s precisely why we started The Rock.
• As Jim Mullen told of how I have help his family though some tough times, I lost it.
• Laurie shared how I trusted them with ministry and how much that meant to them. I believe in the potential and priesthood of people. David and Laurie, you taught me!
• Chandra hosted a goodbye party (Sat. night) for my girls and Amanda and her put together a scrapbook for them. Incredible!
• Ashley Johnson flew back from Texas to be with Cambria and us. Thank you Ashley! You have no idea how much that means to Cambria!
• The Urie’s remembered how hard a move like this is for kids so they gave them gift cards to their favorite store and very nice words in the card. You have no idea how that blessed their mom and me!
• Matt Vaughn put together an amazing last service including a slide show (I’ll post it tomorrow). Dude, you have no idea how much you mean to me! And when you said, "Please welcome Pastor Scott to speak for the last time." Then everyone stood and clapped for me…dang, that did me in.
• All that Laura Lowery did for us to coordinate things…Laura, you have a gift! Thanks!

This post could go on and on and on. Thanks to everyone who had a part in honoring us and helping us to feel loved and appreciated.

Had a great meeting tonight with my small group. I meet twice a month with 3 guys and together we read about a book a month, discuss it and pray and encourage one another. Well, with all that is going on in my life, I’ve not been able to be totally forthright with these guys. This has been really hard for me.

They all said that they knew something was up and that I just was not myself. They said I’m a terrible liar. I guest that’s a compliment.

I told them the back story of our decision. They were all genuinely happy for me. Made me feel so loved that they would rejoice with me.

Thanks guys.

As I posted last Monday, I am stepping down from the church I founded and love deeply. There’s so much to say about how I feel (more posts are coming) and so much back story about the details that led to this decision (even more posts coming).

Today I just want to let you know what I’ll be doing and where my family is going.

I’ve accepted a unique position at Brooklake Church in Federal Way, WA. The Lead Pastor is Mike Axton and has led this great church for the past 3 decades. Together, we are embarking on a risky endeavor…a plan of succesion.

I’ll be Senior Pastor (Mike will be Lead Senior Pastor) and together we will work towards a transition of leadership over a few years.

I’ve always said that churches, of all kinds and shapes, need to rethink their transitions of leadership. I guess I get to put my theories to the test again.

Yesterday I announced to our congregation that Michelle and I are resigning The Rock Church. Honestly, it was the finale of a brutal week of informing those I love dearly that the Lord is calling us to step down.

I’ll be sharing more in the coming days about what and where we’re going but here is the letter I read through tears yesterday:

June 22, 2008

Scott Harris