A Shepherd’s Legacy
When we first heard the news of Pastor Drew Shofner’s upcoming retirement, our hearts were filled with a blend of emotions: gratitude for his years of steadfast leadership, sadness at the thought of his departure, and hope for the new chapter our church will begin. It’s difficult to imagine our congregation without him at the helm. Yet, as we reflect on this transition, we can’t help but be reminded of the ultimate transition in John 10:11-18, when Jesus, the Good Shepherd, spoke of laying down His life for His sheep. That moment in history left the disciples momentarily bereft, but it also ushered in the promise of eternal guidance through the Holy Spirit.
Pastor Drew’s ministry has embodied the spirit of a good shepherd. For over 25 years, he has walked beside us, leading with humility and grace. He has tended to our spiritual needs, binding our wounds with God’s Word and rejoicing in our triumphs. As we think about his retirement, we find solace in the knowledge that just as Jesus’ departure was part of God’s plan, so too is this transition for our church.
In John 10:11, Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” While Pastor Drew is not leaving us in the ultimate sense of sacrifice that Christ did, his retirement is, in many ways, a laying down of the mantle he has carried for us so long. This act of stepping aside is an act of faith and trust in God’s continuing work through the Church at Severn Run. It reminds us that leadership in the body of Christ is never about one individual but about the eternal Shepherd who guides us all.
When Jesus was crucified, the disciples were scattered, confused, and uncertain about what came next. Similarly, as Pastor Drew prepares to retire, some of us might feel unsure about the future. Who will guide us? What will our church look like without the familiar presence of our senior pastor? Yet, just as Jesus reassured His followers that they would not be left alone, we too can trust in God’s faithfulness. In John 14:16, Jesus promises, “And we will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth.”
Our church is not built upon one man but upon the foundation of Christ. “On Christ the solid rock we stand, all other ground is sinking sand,” declares the timeless hymn (E. Mote, 1834). Pastor Drew’s retirement will not leave us leaderless; rather, it will remind us of the ultimate leadership of Jesus, who continues to guide us through His Word and the Holy Spirit. Just as the disciples were empowered by the Spirit at Pentecost, we too are called to step forward in faith, continuing the work of the gospel.
This transition is also an opportunity to reflect on what Pastor Drew has taught us. His sermons, his prayers, and his unwavering focus on Jesus have shaped us as a congregation. He has reminded us to be a “city on a hill” (Matthew 5:14), a light to the world, and a community bound together by love. As he steps back, it’s our turn to take those lessons and live them out with renewed purpose. His messages will assuredly ring on, not just with us, but in us.
The disciples, though initially unsure, eventually carried the message of Christ to the ends of the earth. They became the hands and feet of Jesus, empowered by His Spirit. In the same way, we are called to rise and carry forward the vision that Pastor Drew has so faithfully stewarded. The love and grace he has poured into us are not meant to remain within the walls of our church but to flow outward, reaching the lost and the broken.
As we think about this moment, a line from the hymn “It Is Well with My Soul” (H. Spafford, 1873) comes to mind: “Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught us to say, it is well, it is well with my soul.” Change is never easy, but it is an integral part of the Christian journey. Just as the cross led to the resurrection, transitions like this one hold the promise of new life and growth. Pastor Drew’s retirement is not an ending but a continuation of God’s story for our church.
One of the most powerful symbols of this truth is the cross itself. The cross was a symbol of loss and death, but it became the ultimate sign of victory and hope. In the same way, Pastor Drew’s departure might feel like a loss, but it is also an opportunity for renewal. His legacy will remain in the hearts of those he has shepherded, just as Jesus’ legacy continued through His disciples.
Isaiah 40:11 beautifully captures the heart of a shepherd: “He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.” Pastor Drew has carried us close to his heart for decades, and now, as he steps into a well-deserved retirement, we can trust that God will continue to gather us in His arms and lead us forward.
So, let us be both sad and joyful in this season. Sad because we will miss the familiar voice that has guided us for so long. Joyful because we know that the same God who called Pastor Drew to lead us will continue to guide our church. As we navigate this transition, may we hold onto the words of Jesus in John 10:28: “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.”
Pastor Drew, thank you for being our shepherd, our teacher, and our friend. Your love and dedication have left an indelible mark on our lives. As we bid you farewell from this chapter of your journey, we do so with hearts full of gratitude and hope. We trust that God, the Good Shepherd, will continue to lead both you and our church into the future He has planned.
“All the way my Savior leads me; what have we to ask beside?” May these words guide us all as we step into this new season, knowing that neither our ultimate Shepherd…nor Pastor Drew…will never leave us or forsake us.