Farewell to Interim Pastor Dr. Steve Goyer

THANK YOU FOR YOUR MINISTRY: IPC STAFF & MEMBERS SAY FAREWELL TO DR. STEVE GOYER

Rev. David Seamon, Associate Pastor, Faith Formation

"Steve has always admitted that he was quick to speak his mind (even if it got him in some trouble from time to time). But, he’s also quick to listen, especially to those who disagree with him. Not once did I see him shy away from jumping into a momentous and potentially conflictridden conversation. However, he did so with the deep abiding trust that with Christ as her Head, the Church can handle anything that comes her way, because God is bigger than that which may divide us. He modeled this trust to us at a very important time in the life of the church and for me personally. Without his guidance and (gentle) kick in the pants, I would’ve probably still been meandering along the ordination process. He has been a mentor and friend who has had an impact on my life and the life of IPC for the better."

Rev. Susan Clayton, Associate Pastor, Congregational Care and Adult Faith Formation

"Steve stepped in as our Interim Pastor at a very difficult moment as the pandemic had just sent us into lockdown not long before he arrived. The church building was closed, the staff worked mostly from home for the first three months of the pandemic, worship was livestreamed with no one in the sanctuary but pastors and a few choir members, all church meetings and classes took place on Zoom—it was a strange time for all of us and a particularly difficult time to step into the role of Interim Pastor of any congregation. While it was a harder time for him to get to know the membership at IPC for a while, he got to know the staff quickly, even if it was mostly on screens for a while. I am grateful Steve was willing to take on such a challenge. He has been a great supporter and cheerleader for the staff at IPC in his time here. He has done the hard work of helping us all figure out staff restructuring in a time of numerous important staff transitions. He gives ample praise where praise is appropriate, he coaches when coaching is needed, and he provides a listening ear when that is what a staff member needs. Personally, he has been so helpful to me as I have been in transition in my own work as a pastor of IPC. He affirmed my move from Community Ministries to Congregational Care and has been quick to offer his support in my new role. I am grateful for his honesty, his affirming spirit, his faithful preaching of the Word, and his willingness to wade into the deep end with us at IPC in so many ways. Thank you, Steve!"

George Taylor, IPC President of Congregation

"Rev. Goyer has been the steady hand we have needed during an important time of transition for IPC. He has been very supportive of our search process, highly mindful of the particulars of Presbyterian policy, and always careful to articulate the reasoning behind our procedures. We have accomplished much in the technical realm, such as new bylaws and a revised staff structure, but more importantly, we have regained the skill of engaging each other in civil discourse, understanding that we are united in Christ and that our focus should be to relentlessly serve Him in all that we do."

Linda Nelson, IPC Member

"I'm a big fan of Steve Goyer. I think he has been a marvelous blessing to this congregation. One thing I particularly admire about him is his refusal to endorse certainties, other than the certainty of the grace of God. I admire his poetic imagination and his habit of making connections between Scripture, stories, current news, and the care of Creation. I enjoy his self-deprecating humor, except that he deprecates himself far too much, in my opinion. He doesn't mind revealing himself as an emotional and caring man—either quick to feel and quick to tears, without being embarrassed about it. But he's rock solid in every way I've experienced his presence here. I especially like it when he comments on some present human audacity and then looks at us quizzically from the pulpit and says, 'Really?' It makes me sad that he's leaving us, but it seems he's leaving us in good shape. He'll very likely come and see us again at times, I do hope."

Judy Matthews, IPC Past President of Congregation

"What I’ve said since May of 2020 is even more true today, 'Thank you for saying 'yes!' You walked with us through the past 14 months of change asking only for our best, and we are in a new place because of it. I’ll be forever grateful for your generous counsel and leadership. Thank you! Your encouragement to do whatever we do in an 'orderly and decent' manner allowed us to do hard work and make big decisions together. We now have bylaws! It’s a good man and true follower of the Holy Spirit who leaves his precious wife and home to come to a fragile congregation during the most uncertain time in life any of us has ever known. It was all a God thing!"

Lee Walthall, IPC Member

"Steve and I had two common bonds other than Pastor and member. Our first wives had died at relatively young ages, his in an automobile accident and mine of breast cancer, and we both had been remarried for approximately the same length of time. We spent one late afternoon over drinks sharing our journeys. The other was our love of golf. He is a very good golfer and played with me nevertheless. Besides our friendship, the thing I most valued about Steve as Pastor is that he is a unifier and helped IPC in that capacity."

Robert Hill, IPC Member

"The first Sunday the Goyers arrived at IPC, I introduced myself as Zoe Cassimus's friend. Zoe is a mutual friend with family in Jacksonville. On that day, there was already a special place in my heart for them. Anita was so delightful—beautiful in her bright yellow dress. We hit it off immediately and arranged for lunch that week— socially distancing and a two-hour long non-stop lunch. Dr. G and I began to have dinners together (he's a great chef), and oftentimes we ate Kim's amazing curbside meals, all masked and socially distancing while enjoying them each at the opposite end of his huge kitchen island. His Hearth. Dr. G has touched my life in so many major unforgettable ways. We have laughed uncontrollably, cried the same, and molded this special amazing lasting friendship. Anita coined it 'Frat Night.' He and I talked about major events in our lives. I am going to have a very hard time seeing the Goyers leave, but never saying 'goodbye.' I know there's a perfect Bible passage that would describe my feelings. I remember being so sad when Brian Lays left us, but on the other hand, I was so thrilled to think of what God would accomplish through his life at Riverside, which is The Greater Kingdom of God that we should always consider, correct? Having said that, I know that the Goyers will continue their lives in whatever God has for them in His plan, and they will touch many more lives as they have mine. His amazing sermons have made me stronger in my faith, confident of who I am, and what I believe. I find myself loving deeper, respecting those who I don't always agree with, always trying to find a common ground, and being 'kind' not just 'nice.' There's always been a common thread in his sermons. As humans, we have an innate need to be together in community and in faith, love, and beauty. That is IPC...that is 'our' song. I am finding some comfort in one of my favorite Broadway Musical Songs from Wicked. It's For The Good. The words say, 'So much of me is [made of] what I learned from you. ... Because I knew you, I have been changed for good.'"

DR. GOYER AND HIS FAMILY. TOP ROW (L TO R): DAUGHTER AMANDA, WIFE ANITA, DAUGHTER MEGHAN. BOTTOM ROW (L TO R): GRANDCHILDREN FINN & BROOKLYN

FAREWELL TO DR. GOYER ON JULY 18

Dr. Steve Goyer will preach his last sermon on Sunday, July 18, officially ending his interim ministry at IPC. During morning worship, he will conclude the “What IPC Values” sermon series at the 8:45 am and 11 am services, and you are invited to a congregational farewell reception to be held from 9:45 to 10:45 am. Join us that evening for dinner, celebration, and conversation with Dr. Goyer as he guides the final discussion of the "I've been meaning to ask” series during the Table worship service.