First-year bishop: dispatch from Birmingham: in my job I get to see moribund churches. I also get blindsided by the undeniable fidelity of God's people.

From: The Christian Century | Date: September 20, 2005| Author: | Copyright information

ON MY LAST Sunday in Duke Chapel, after I'd preached to a full church and received a standing ovation after my sermon, a sophomore came up to me and said, "Thanks for abandoning us. What am I supposed to do for spiritual guidance now?"

I told him that God was calling me to a new ministry in Alabama and that whoever replaced me would be great.

"Say," the student continued, "are you going to be doing much preaching in your new job?"

"Sure will," I reassured him. "I'll be preaching two or three times every Sunday."

"That's good," he said. "I've heard that you are ...

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