Fifteen Years
I was 46 and leaving a church Linda and I started in our living room 19 years before. Our kids ranged from 11-19. We were leaving a larger church to come to a smaller one. We knew this project was different from church planting. This was a turn-around church project. In my mind, it would be a lot harder than the church plant I’d pastored the last two decades.I usually get a lot of advice when making a major decision, and this was no exception. But in this case, none of my advisors thought it was a wise move (including my wife). I carefully weighed their thoughts but really believed God was in this. I explained to my family the what’s and why’s and gave each of them veto power. We wouldn’t have come if any of them had said, “No.” Linda cried for 3 months before the move and then another 6 months after. She agreed that this was the Lord’s direction, but it was hard to leave our church, our life, and our connections.The first 3 years here were not easy, but the Elders were 100% with me on everything, and that made all the difference. There were a lot of changes. Lots of updating internally and externally (glass windows and lower lobby put in), a couple of staff to let go and replace. We put together a new constitution, came up with a new name, and clarified our mission and established our values. In our first 3 years, we doubled in attendance, and by year 5, we tripled. By that time, Brian Nelson joined our staff and he was a major game changer for us. Junior came on staff at the same time Brian did (I promise, no nepotism was involved!).That all sounds exciting, but there was also a lot of pain. In one year, over 75 of our original 200 left…because of me and the new direction we were heading. It’s never fun to lose people, especially when they leave angry. But we (elders, staff) knew we were doing the right thing and that the Lord was our guide. We pressed on, and by the end of that same year, our net growth was over 100, most of whom were new Christians.Looking back, the years have become a blur, but the faces and names stand out. I still remember meeting many of you who started attending during those first 10 years. And I remember when many of you received Christ. In the last 5 years, however, now with multiple locations and campus pastors to do what I used to do, I tend to reintroduce myself to many of you (or maybe that’s more due to age).15 years of the Zieglers at The Bridge. I’m celebrating more than anyone. It’s been a blast! And it’s not over yet.