Pastor Dan Smyth
Associate Pastor
PASSING THE BATON
CHANGE IN THE AIR – IT’S OUR METHOD – AS UNITED METHODISTS
This time of the year – can be a difficult time – for many Churches & Pastors in South Carolina.
It’s the time when the Pastoral changes are announced – and this year – there will be several changes at St Mark. It’s the Method of Methodism.
The Lay Leaders at each of our three Campuses announced the – “coming & goings” – on Sunday, March 21st. For some – Tears Were Shed – as members became aware of the changes that will become effective this summer. Change is never easy.
THIS SUMMER I AM – PASSING THE BATON. Three years ago, I retired with the SC Conference of the United Methodist Church, and was asked to serve again during a challenging time at St. Mark, as a Part-time Associate Pastor. I Have Loved Being One Of Your Pastors. And today, I believe St. Mark is in a better place. So now, it’s time to retire again.
Kay & I will still – “Be Around” at St. Mark – serving as all other members do - just not as a Pastor. St. Mark is blessed with several – Former Ordained Ministers – who are a part of our church family. I will be honored to soon be a part of that group.
Let Me Briefly Share With You How God Led Me To Our Church:
I began preaching at a local Methodist church in London England back in 1972. It was not my intent to prepare to be a minister. I felt called to serve the Lord as a missionary and went to the London School of Theology to discover how & where I could serve. It was the congregation of the Methodist Church who identified my gift of preaching – and it was there I heard God’s calling to prepare for Pastoral Ministry. Congregations Have An Important Role In Discerning The Gifts Of Its Members.
I came to South Carolina to get my Master of Divinity degree at CIU in Columbia – where I was thankful for the opportunity to serve as a Pastor at a Presbyterian Church - One foot in the Pastorate & one foot in Graduate School - until I was ordained in 1981. I served several Presbyterian churches from the late 70’s into the early 90’s joining St. Mark in 1993. Our Pastor was Wayne Horne & God used him as a mentor to me - moving me into Methodism. I served at St Mark, as a Trustee, Small Group Leader, Lay Leader & Pulpit Supply, until going back into full-time ministry as a United Methodist Local Pastor from 2006 - 2021.
So this summer, I will not be saying goodbye. Instead, I will be stepping back - stepping out of the day-to-day ministry & PASSING THE BATON - to others God is calling to serve in our church.
GOD IS ALWAYS DOING SOMETHING NEW - WITHIN US - AMONG US & AROUND US
I’M LOOKING FORWARD - TO SEEING WHO GOD IS CALLING - NEXT
See you in Church,
Pastor Dan
