One Leaves; Another Comes – Prayerfully
“‘… select among yourselves men of good standing, full of the Spirit and of wisdom.’ What they (the disciples) said pleased the whole community, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit.”
This story occurs shortly after the birth of the church in Acts 2. Already a discernment process was in place to select new leadership in the nascent church, and the criteria was as it is today: persons of good standing, full of the Spirit and of wisdom.
That criteria is what we look for in candidates for ministry who come before our Board of Ordained Ministry for interviews to become ordained pastors. It is the criteria our Bishop’s Cabinet looks for in pastors they prayerfully discern for appointment to another church. It is an apt description for Rev. Ramon (pronounced Ruh-mahn’) Smith, who will become FUMC Plano’s new pastor on July 1.
Ramon is a man of good standing, full of the Spirit and of wisdom. I could not be more encouraged for his appointment and for FUMC Plano’s future under his leadership. he and I have communicated several times already and will have the first of several lunch meetings next week as I do my part to equip him with the history, culture, organization, and vision of FUMC Plano. Like me, Ramon majored in a finance-related field in college — International Business, one of his two degrees before answering a call to ministry and enrolling at the Perkins School of Theology at SMU where, like me, he met his wife, Gabrielle, who was enrolled at the Law School. He has a heart for people, a heart for mission, and a heart for his family that includes their two children, RJ (Ramon Jr.) and Isabelle. And he rocks an amazing bow-tie collection!
Our SPRC was all smiles around the table at the end of the introduction and conversation led by our District Superintendent, Rev. Philip Rhodes. Our Lay Leader, David Boatfield, noted the same smiles around our staff table as he was telling us about Ramon — and for good reason. There is a lot to like and to anticipate as we move through this transition of connectional leadership.
Our SPRC Chair, Kristin White, will make this announcement again in worship this Sunday. I hope that as you have curiosity, you will speak with any of our SPRC members and to me.
Ramon is about the same age I was when I was appointed to FUMC Denton (where Gary Mueller had served four years earlier) — a large step up for me at the time. It was a wonderful experience for me and for the church. I believe Ramon and his family will have a similar experience here because, like Denton, FUMC Plano takes pride in welcoming newcomers well and working to make them feel like family.
So, like the church in Acts, be in prayer and have great trust in what the Spirit is doing among us; the Spirit will not disappoint.
Connecting God and Grace to Self and Community,
Matt Gaston
Lead Pastor
