Editor’s Note: This email was sent to close friends and associates of Pastor Smith on Friday, March 4, with the Subject Line A Personal Note from Scotty. He asked that we wait to publish this until he announced it to his congregation which was done on March 13.

Dear Friends and my extended Gospel Prayer Family

I knew this day would come, but I honestly didn’t know when until last weekend. After much prayer, reflection, and interaction with my “gospel posse”, I’ve reached peace that now is the time to set a date for my graduation from the Christ Community Church staff. I will formally move off the staff of CCC in the summer of 2014, a little over 3 years from now. That will complete 28 years of pastoring an amazing array of women and men who share two main things in common: a bottomless need and unquenchable love for the gospel of God’s grace.

Accepting the importance of a succession plan earlier this year made the transition towards setting an actual exit date much easier. Neither pressure nor pragmatics have pushed me into making this decision. I’m not “toast,” burned out, or weary. I feel the leading, joy and peace of Jesus.

My great hope and firm expectation is that over the next 3 years, Jesus will lead us into a remarkable season of healing, centering, and celebrating, as a church family. My commitment is to do everything I can, by God’s grace, to help prepare CCC for her most faithful and fruitful years. On Sunday morning March 13th, I’ll speak from my heart about the decision and what’s ahead.

What will Darlene and I be up to after the summer of 2014? Jesus hasn’t made that clear yet, but I can promise you, it’s not time to retire but to re-fire. Thanks for all of your love, prayers and encouragement.