A number of weeks in the past, I used to be stunned once I obtained an electronic mail from Typepad (a weblog internet hosting service), which has been this weblog’s authentic dwelling because the late 2000s (and has been reposted right here on the HW web site), that it will completely shut down the service on the finish of September.
Nonetheless, I perceive the corporate’s determination. Within the ever-evolving world of expertise and content material platforms, the straightforward and humble weblog, as soon as the Web normal for delivering written content material, has lurched previous its expiration date.
And talking of which, pricey reader, the identical applies to me, at the least career-wise. Maybe you, too, will be a part of me in considering it’s no cosmic coincidence that Typepad’s announcement coincided with my employer HomeWord’s determination to say, “So lengthy, farewell, auf wiedersehen, adieu” to yours really, additionally on the finish of September.
It was a wonderful 27+ 12 months profession run for me at HomeWord, uhm, er, Nationwide Institute of Youth Ministry (1998), YouthBuilders (200o), HomeWord (2004), Assured Parenting (2008), HomeWord Heart for Youth and Household at Azusa Pacific College (2008), and (as soon as once more) HomeWord (2018).
From teaching, mentoring, and coaching youth pastors and youth leaders in and round New England, to presenting seminars across the nation, to writing articles and small group curriculum related to Jim Burns’ new books, to researching youth tradition and reporting on such, to studying social media and mass advertising and marketing electronic mail ropes, my roles in serving to HomeWord to pursue its gospel-focused-mission have been diversified, difficult, and, in recent times, extremely banal.
And people previous couple of phrases describe why it’s now the proper time for me to hold up my cleats and head to the locker room for good. No regrets. No laborious emotions. No unhappy goodbyes. In God’s good timing, now’s the time for me to retire. For crying out loud, I’m hitting 65 in two months! That mentioned, I gained’t sit on a sofa and watch TV from right here on out. I’ll determine new methods to be of service in God’s kingdom.
It was the consideration and spotlight of my profession to be invited into this nearly three-decade journey in Jesus-focused ministry by my buddy, Jim Burns. I’ll at all times be grateful to him for his partnership, management, and friendship. And I need to supply a particular shoutout to my pricey associates and colleagues, Cindy Ward and Lynn Juilusson on the HW mothership, who supplied a lot assist and comedian reduction through the years. I belief that I used to be in a position to return the favor. I’ll ever be grateful to them and for them.
I want the group at HomeWord, now led by President Marcius Preciado, all of God’s blessings and far success sooner or later as they stick with it HomeWord’s mission to the glory of God.
It’s been enjoyable. Farewell.
Jim Liebelt
Soli Deo Gloria
