Steve and Jenny Argue - September 22, 2001.
Jenny-
I'm a little nervous to say thank you to you guys because I just don't think
any thing will really express just how much thanks I really have for all of
you. I just want to add on for my kids, thank you to the high schoolers for
being such great examples that high schoolers can love Jesus and just what
and example that has been to my girls.
Well since I've grown up at Elmbrook I'll say my good-bye in Elmbrook style
with three points. First, I've seen a handful of the pastor's wives here tonight
and I want to say thank you to you. And even though the women from the breakaway
committee aren't here I want to say thank you to them too. Being apart of
both of those groups has meant a lot to me and blessed me beyond measure as
every time I have met with them I have been uplifted and encourage and redirected
to keep my focus on Christ. They're a great bunch of women. And thank you
to the high schoolers and the former high schoolers for all the love that
you've Steve and our family and for all the toilet paper you have joyfully
wasted on our house. Really, you have been an inspiration to my own walk with
God with the spiritual vigor you have. I want to convey love, hugs and deep
gratitude to all the kids, and you know which ones you are, who over past
7 years have been reliable loving babysitters and special friends to our kids.
You have become apart of our family as you are in our hearts and our photo
albums forever. And third, thank you leaders and parents for your personal
touch. We have coveted your prayers, the whole duration of Steve's ministry
and you've blessed us with that and more. In the good times, and the hard
times, you've truly exemplified what it means to be the body of Christ. And
I can't express enough thanks to each one of you. God bless you.
Steve - (you better not read mine Kara)
I always wondered what it would be like to end a ministry. I've never had
to do this before and to be really honest with you I feel like in my mind
in my emotional psyche I've just put it off because its just not a fun thing,
can I tell you that? And Phil thank you for that video I hope I get a copy
of that cause theres some treasures there, theres a lot of memories and I'm
glad the lights were out because I haven't cried a lot, but I was losing it
up here. For a lot of reasons, probably the best part of the whole video was
when my haircut finally changed. I felt much better after that I was pretty
self-conscious before that. I did write a few things down and I just want
to try and read this to you guys. And this is dumb and Jenny knows this. I've
been walking around all day today going 'this is dumb' 'this is dumb' because
I can't put words down what I want to communicate. There are just times, there
are certain times when words just don't express what's down deep. And I've
found that in worship, and I've found that in really sharing deep down how
one feels for other and for people and so I apologize for what I'm about to
say because it doesn't come even close to what you deserve, ok?
Tonight is a night where Steve Argue is out of his comfort zone. I wish I
could put into words the range of emotions I'm feeling and the journey our
family is experiencing. But, I'm not sure if I would make any sense. I'm more
comfortable preaching than I am receiving the way too generous comments that
have been made here tonight. From the bottom of my heart thank you.
Thank you Jenn. You married a businessman and you ended up with a pastor.
While I received a lot of credit its you that's served this ministry and me
in the secret and unnoticed ways. It's you that's helped me be the man of
God he's intended for me to be. You are my greatest critic and my ferocious
supporter. You have told me that its God's will for you to share me with teens
and leaders and internationals. You are my teammate and I love you.
Thank you Kara, Elise and Lauren. Thank you for understanding why daddy isn't
around on Wednesdays and why he stays with the high schoolers on trips to
Colorado and sno-rodeo. And why he's gone for weeks at a time in the summer.
You resolve in your mind that daddy is telling people about Jesus and that
models to me an incredible priority. I wonder who's really teaching whom.
I love you. Boys are gross. Don't forget that. …
Thank you senior high staff. Jodi you are good at everything I'm not. You're
not afraid to remind me of that. You've been passionate about freeing me up
to do what God has gifted me to do. Youth pastors are a dime a dozen, ministry
coordinators named Jodi are priceless. Thank you. Jon and Sara, you signed
on to the senior high ministry and I'm signing off. I can still see the deer
in the head lights look you had when I told you. But what I've seen even more
is your passion and love for God, for students and for me. I count it a joy
to know you and serve with you. I'm comforted by God's providential provision
of you for this ministry at this time especially and I'm certain of God's
continued blessing on you and through you. Jenn Smullen, thank you for your
hard work and your genuine passion to serve the junior high and senior high
ministries. You've been called to take on the endless process of communicating
with hundreds and thousands we serve. Thank you for working and praying with
us.
Senior high deacons, you're very special to me. You've been my sounding boards
and my teachers, especially these last four months. I've seen your passion
for the senior high and your love for me. You've stepped up, lead, and shepherded
in a way that is a model to the whole church. I thank you for your wisdom
and your willingness to put others ahead of yourselves. You would all tell
me that this is what deacons do, no big deal. It's a big deal to me.
The whole senior high staff. I brag about you every chance I get. You've shown
me what church is all about. I'm blessed to know you. I'm blessed to see you
get married, I'm blessed to be apart of the burdens of your children, or the
graduation of them. Many of you are former students that have come back to
serve. You'll never know the joy I have of that. We've done life together
that is stretched way beyond Wednesdays and Sundays. Thanks.
All the students. I love you. I count it a privilege that you would even let
me into your lives. That'd be opened to let me speak into your lives. You
are my youth group. I'm very proud of that. I am who I am because you have
shown a great amount of grace of trust and encouragement towards me. You have
selflessly shared me with other students yet still have called me your own.
You have graciously allowed me to grow in my communication and leadership.
When others get my best talks you get the good the bad and the ugly. Your
fingerprints are all over my life, my person and my style of ministry. I'll
know that wherever I go. Thanks for trusting me and allowing me to share early
on that I was leaving. You didn't abandon me. You stuck with me. I didn't
think you do anything less than that, but I want you to know that that has
made this process for me a delight in the midst of my manic emotions. Lead
my friends. You are the best youth group in the world. Therefore know your
roles as servants and examples. I'll be watching you from afar and constantly
cheering for you.
Parents. Thank you for your encouragement and prayers for our family. Each
year as I grow as a parent I admire you more and more. Thanks for trusting
me with your kids. I'm humbled by your trust in me and this ministry. Your
partnership is precious.
To Elmbrook. I'm grateful for the privilege to serve here. I came to Christ
at a young age after a message from Stewart. Who would have thought that a
young boy would have a chance to serve at a place like Elmbrook. God has used
Elmbrook to show me what I'm made of. And he's used it to refine my gifts,
desires, and passions. I pray that other boys and girls will have the opportunities
that I have had.
Ultimately I thank and give all credit to the Lord Jesus Christ. The one I
have the privilege to know and serve. You've manifested your Glory through
a small and broken vessel. You've allowed me to see and experience more than
I could have ever dreamed of. Why You've blessed me is a tribute to your grace
and mercy and nothing else. I pray that everyone present here would see enough
of my imperfections to know that You alone are great. And that you would have
experienced enough of my progress to know that God transforms those he calls.
May You Father, Son and Spirit be worshiped for your faithfulness and sovereignty.
Ultimately I desire to boast in two things. Jeremiah 9, 23 and 24 says; "This
is what the Lord says: 'Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong
man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him
who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the
Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these
I delight, declares the Lord." And Galatians 6:14; "May I never boast except
in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified
to me, and I to the world." Thank you Almighty God for being my heavenly father,
Lord Jesus for the cross, Spirit for your transforming power. All praise and
Glory to God and my God be exalted may the Argues only point to Him. God bless
you.
That's it.
Subject: Steve and Jenny's Plans Date: Wed, 28 Nov 2001
From: Steve Argue
Friends- We are happy to let you know of the Argue's official future plans!
I have accepted a position with Sonlife Ministries as the Associate Director
of Student Ministries.
My role will involve developing Sonlife's strategy to train, coach, and mentor
youth leaders nationally and potentially internationally. I'll have the opportunity
to speak, write, and train leaders so that they might be better equipped to
lead youth ministries based on Great Commission-Great Commandment values.
Sonlife is located in Elburn, IL. I'll be starting January 1 and our family
will be moving down sometime in January. Thanks for all your support and prayers
for us. We are excited about the future and believe that we are following
God's leading.
All our love- Steve, Jenny, Kara, Elise, and Lauren
ps. Please pass this on to any interested parties.
Dear Sr. High Ministry Friends and Family:
Re: Steve's Future Plans
After over seven years of serving the Sr. High ministry, I am sending you
the most difficult letter I have ever had to write. After much prayer and
consideration , Jenny and I have determined that God is leading us to pursue
other ministry initiatives that will take us away from Elmbrook. As a result,
I will be stepping down as Elmbrook's Sr. High pastor around the mounth of
October 2001.
I have choosen to communicate our intent to the church now, as I desire to
see the Sr. High Ministry have a smooth and complete transition. I will assist
in the transition as much as possible to ensure that the purposes, priorities,
and direction of our ministry are maintained. My prayer is also that our students
will be cared for, given time to adjust, and be encouraged to continue to
live out the principles and priorities that have shared with them.
Regarding the future, our plans are to leave Elmbrook sometime in October
and then I will take a two-month break for study, prayer, writing and reflection.
I am considering a number of ministry options and Jenny and I will most likely
determine our next step by fall. We will keep you informed of our progress.
During this time I would ask that you do the most important
thing possible. Pray. Pray that God will guide our ministry through this upcoming
leadership change and that He would be honored and glorified in the process.
It seems impossible for me to express everything that is going through our
hearts at this time. Jenny and I are filled with gratitude for the relationship
that we have had with you. We are amazed at how God has worked. We are humbled
by the fact that in countless ways, we have recieved more from you than we
could ever give. We thank God for you continually and marvel at what God has
allowed us to share with you over these past seven years. This makes saying
goodbye all the more difficult.
Hopefully this time of transition will also be a time when I can be available
to talk with you should you have any questions. Please do not hesitate to
call me at (church) or email [email protected]
In His Grip,
Steve Argue
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