Church transition - Updates & Information

Listen to the announcement made by Pastor Dan on June 13, 2010 here.

Dear Church Family,

Seasons of change come upon us in various ways. At times change comes upon us slowly and it is only through careful observation that we recognize that it is even taking place. At other times change bursts upon us like a sudden wave in the ocean or a gust of wind that catches our breath away. In either case change comes whether we are ready or not.

I have been committed to living a life dedicated to prayer and tenderheartedness before the Lord for many years now and seldom have I experienced such a deep and compelling season of change as the one that I believe many people throughout the body of Christ are walking through at this time. Life at Sturbridge Worship Center is no different. Change both unseen and that which is abrupt and invasive are now upon us in great measure.

Change can be unsettling and leave us with many questions. Doubts can rise and fears can challenge our peace in Christ. Uncertainty can leave us with a need for a sure anchor in those times where we are required by the Lord to trust Him and walk out the process of change to its ultimate conclusion. Because of this truth we are compelled to reach for the un-shifting certainty of God’s character as an anchor to hold us as we wait for our circumstances to settle down and regain some sense of normalcy. During these times the prophetic promise of Jeremiah provides great comfort to our hearts and provides strength to endure the process of change. Jer 29:11 says “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” When all else is shifting we can know that the Lord’s commitment to us never changes and that as Paul said in Ro. 8:28 He is working all things together for our good… whether we understand it or not!

I have pastored Sturbridge Worship Center for 13 years now and have walked with many of you through the transformation of SWC from a struggling little church of 50-60 people and a half finished building to the church of over 150 people that we are today. SWC is imperfect for certain but we have come a long way and seen many lives powerfully affected for God through our ministry both within the local church, through our conferences and also through our international missions efforts.  I have cried with many of you, prayed for most of you and taught all of you with the gifts that the Lord has given me during this 13 year history.

Tammy and I have enjoyed greatly our time here at Sturbridge Worship Center and have much vision for the future of SWC and as a result of these realities we were very surprised by a growing impression from the Holy Spirit in our hearts. For about 1 ½ years a theme has been growing in my heart. As a result of many dreams, words and impressions that have now become clear to us over time Tammy and I are certain that the Lord is intervening in our life journey and asking us to lay down the role of Senior Pastor here at Sturbridge Worship Center. We do feel that we are to stay connected to the life of the church but it has now become very certain that the Lord is asking us to relocate our family to Kansas City, MO to base our new season of ministry out of the International House of Prayer there.

It is with a mixture of sadness and excitement that we will take this new step into our calling as we follow the Lord. Like never before Mark 8:34 where Jesus said "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” is echoing through our hearts with the call to follow.  We still have distinct uncertainties about this new direction that the Lord is asking of us but we do know a few things. We will be functioning as missionaries to and through IHOP and as a result will have to raise our own support as missionaries. No salary awaits us, only a certainty of God’s faithful provision.  We will be continuing to develop our itinerant ministry both nationally and internationally and finding our place of service with IHOP in Kansas City.  Because we will be raising our own support we would gladly welcome any of you who would like to become monthly partners/supporters of our new ministry. We will be providing further information about how to do that in a few more weeks when we have a greater sense of structure in our new direction.  We do not have all of the details of our relocation in place yet but are fairly certain that our move will take place towards the end of August. This timing is also affected by the fact that we will be gone for 5 weeks this summer due to a previously scheduled missions trip and our family vacation.

Please be certain we are not leaving with any sense of division or a wounded heart. Instead we are only leaving with gratitude that the Lord has allowed us these years of service and learning here with all of you in Sturbridge Worship Center. I know that in many ways our time here has been as much for our own education as it was for the ministry that we have provided to others. It is our hope and prayer that we will stay actively connected to SWC on many levels over the years to come and through the ministry that evolves out of this change.

We appeal to each one of you during this season of transition to please be deeply committed to prayer for both our family and ministry. We ask also that you pray daily for this new season in the life of Sturbridge Worship Center. As I have said in recent weeks I am sure that the Lord has great things in store for SWC even though my own involvement in its future will be limited by these changes. Please do not be disheartened by the changes that are taking place but rather be encouraged by the knowledge that the words that we have received as a church over the years are still true.  I am certain that in the same way God is moving Tammy and I onward as a part of His best plan for us, even so He is doing this because it is the best plan for SWC. It is clear that the Lord feels that it is time for a new beginning for SWC. This knowledge has given Tammy and I great comfort as we have considered the consequences of what the Lord is asking of us.

A new SWC is emerging, with new gifts rising, new leaders maturing, and a new anointing flowing. I believe that in the coming season we will all be blessed and amazed to see how the Lord has used this change for the benefit of all! It is time for the body to arise. It is time for you to rise! God is ready to shine on Central New England through you His church! Let prayer go forth and pave the way to a new season of promise for Sturbridge Worship Center.

In the coming weeks we will present a clear strategy for this transition as we move into a new season in our church life. The elders and I are working together closely to establish a clear understanding of the Lord’s desire for this next season in the life of the church. Please pray for each of the elders and ask the Lord for wisdom from heaven. Stay faithful to your calling as you serve the body and speak life to one another and I believe that God will be greatly praised by the outcome of this season.

With love and gratitude, Pastor Dan Lee, Tammy, Daniel and James