Well, here we are. My time at Central has come to an end, and if I had to sum up how I feel, it’s this: grateful.

Grateful for the friendships, the encouragement, the laughter, the grace. Grateful for the way this church has been a place of healing and growth for me.

As I step into what’s next, the Newsletter Team asked me to pull together my notes from the 10 challenges I gave during my final sermon on January 26, 2025.

1. Continue to Be Central

This church has a culture of care, authenticity, and community that is rare and worth preserving.

• Central is a place where grace is freely extended, and generosity is a defining value.
• I have never felt pressured to be anything other than myself here. Keep making that true for others.

2. Stay Curious

The moment curiosity dies, so does learning. The end of curiosity is the end of growth.

• Avoid drawing conclusions too quickly.
• Assumptions close doors—curiosity opens them.
• Seek to understand before seeking to be understood.

Curiosity keeps conversations open, faith alive, and relationships strong. Stay curious.

3. Support the Staff

You have an incredible team here, and let me tell you—every single one of them does way more than what they’re being paid for. They show up, go the extra mile, and carry a weight that few truly see.

• • • Think of creative ways to bless them.
    • Avoid assuming someone else is caring for them.
    • A quick thank-you goes a long way.

And of course, support Pastor Jeremy and the Sanderson family.

Remember the weight and pressure a pastor carries, and support them with prayer and encouragement.

4. Invest Before Criticizing

Before offering criticism, ask yourself: Have I invested in this area?

• • • If you withdraw from an account where you have not deposited, it’s called robbery.
    • In your own bank account, if you overdraw, you get penalties. The same principle applies here. Make sure you’re depositing before you’re withdrawing.

5. Read the Friday Email

This one is simple, but it matters.

• • • We don’t have a communication problem—we have an attention problem.
    • Recognize the work that goes into communicating and value those efforts. Read the email. Stay engaged. It makes a difference.

6. Be Comfortable with Discomfort

Tension = Growth.

• • • “Take anything off the shelf of life that you want—just pay for it.”
    • Discomfort is the price of admission for a meaningful vision.
      
      

If we want to follow Jesus in meaningful ways, it’s going to require stepping outside of what’s comfortable.

Let that be okay.

7. Make Room for Others and Think About the Outsider

Be willing to give up a seat, a preference, or an idea to make space for someone else to meet Jesus.

• • • Never stop considering the person who doesn’t know the language, the culture, or the way around the church.
    • We do this by how we engage—but more so by the environment we create.

8. Think of the Next Generation and Embrace Diversity

• • • The next generation is and will always change.
    • Remember that Jesus stepped into our world, not the other way around.

The church should always be making room for who is coming next.

9. Pastor Jeremy Will Never Ask You for Gift Cards

Just so we’re clear: if you ever get a text from “Pastor Jeremy” asking you to pick up some Apple gift cards, it’s not him.

No, he’s not stranded at a gas station. No, he doesn’t need bail money. Yes, it’s a scam. Don’t fall for it.

10. Listen for God’s Voice

This is the one that sums up all the rest.

Commit to listening for God’s voice in every decision and every step forward. Trust His direction, even when it’s difficult or unclear.

Because at the end of the day, a life with God isn’t built on routines or preferences—it’s built on surrender.

A Final Thank You

This church has been a gift to me. Central has been a place where I’ve been able to truly be myself, without pressure to be anything other than who God has called me to be. I leave here deeply grateful for every moment, every conversation, every friendship.

I believe God has incredible things ahead for Central. Keep listening for His voice. Keep following Him boldly. And keep being the church that I’ve come to love so much.

With gratitude,
Raymond