There are two main reasons for this. First, the job situation hasn’t come together as we’d hoped. For a move to make sense, I needed to find a job that would allow me to support my family well, and that just hasn’t happened yet.

Second, the schooling situation for the kids. We toured Mars Hill Academy this spring, and while the children were excited about the opportunity, even with generous financial aid, it just isn’t a feasible option for us.

Looking at the bigger picture, we feel that a new baby in September and a career transition is enough change for one year! While there’s some disappointment in letting go of the Cincinnati plan, we’re happy and content. We trust this is the Lord’s leading.

Before I wrap up, I want to say a few words about this Substack. When I started it, I thought it would be a good way to keep friends informed as we worked through our future plans—a way to give regular updates without having the same conversation ten times.

This is the first update here in three months, so that obviously didn’t happen! At some point, I realized it wasn’t all that helpful to process our thinking "out loud" with everyone. I think I would have confused people about our plans anyway. Now that we’ve made a definite decision, though, I have something to share.

So what’s next for this Substack?

Honestly, I’m not sure. At 43, with baby number nine due in September, I’m in the middle of a career change from pastor to software developer. I have many thoughts about life in the church, raising a big family in the Midwest in 2025, and the adventure of switching careers. I’m also spending a lot of time learning Java and React—and thinking about software development in general.

So… who knows? Buyer beware!

I’m glad I did! It was helpful to go through the process. If you have any feedback about it, please let me know! And yes, it does indicate that Hannah and I are open to taking a church if the Lord leads us in that direction. It would have to be a good fit, but our hearts are open to the possibility.

In the mean time, we cannot wait around to see whether a church is going to swoop down and hire us in the next few months. In short, we don’t intend to loiter about the place. We need to be making plans and moving forward, and so we’ve made the following decisions:

1. I will spend every spare minute I have right now to return to software development for work. That’s how I plan to support my family when I’m done with my work at Trinity. If you have any tips or suggestions, particularly if you have made a similar transition, please get in touch! I’m all ears.

2. At this point, we’ve ruled out Evansville. We love our friends down at Church of the King, but it didn’t seem like the school situation was going to work out for our kids.

3. Our sights are currently set on Cincinnati, for three reasons: first, we’d love to worship with the believers over at Christ Church; second, we’d like to enroll our children at Mars Hill Academy. If that doesn’t work out for some reason, there are a number of other possibilities for Christian schooling; and third, the job market in Cincy for a software developer is promising. Of course, a move to Cincinnati ultimately depends on finding a job in the area.

It has not been easy to come to these decisions - particularly the decision to rule out Evansville. Please continue to pray for us!

1. Move to Evansville or Cincinnati

2. Take some time off from full-time ministry

3. Go back to school and get a masters of some kind

4. Gradually begin looking for a pastoral position where I can focus on preaching, teaching, writing, podcasting, counseling and the like.

It has only been a month, but since then, Hannah and I have covered a lot of ground. We’ve spent hours talking together and with others. We’ve made many phone calls and spent hours researching online. We have checked into school options for our children in both Cincy and Evansville. We even visited Cincinnati a couple weeks ago and toured Mars Hill Academy.

But have we made any progress? Yes… and no.

As I’ve reflected on my desires for my work as a pastor, it has gradually dawned on me that the work I feel called to do is, in most cases, the work of a lead pastor. This may seem obvious to you, dear reader, but I had to get there.

Hannah and I are both open to taking a position at a church somewhere. This is not something I would have anticipated back in December - or even in January. Really, I’m amazed at the changes happening in both of us as we go through this process. I believe that our decision to leave my position at Trinity was motivated by faith and hope, and I think the process itself is yielding the fruit of increased faith and courage.

Of course, it’s no small thing to take a church. That would be an “all-in” proposition. The church would need to pay me enough for me to support my growing family.

The alternative is to step away from ministry and find work that will pay the bills. I have made progress in my thinking about what type of work to pursue: I have done computer programming in the past, and so it only makes sense that I would pursue programming work now. I was hesitant to consider computer programming when we started this process, and, upon reflection, the reason why surprised me: I really enjoy it! I’m scared that if I get a job programming, I may not want to return to the ministry.

There are many obvious benefits to programming: it has a high upper ceiling for income, it can be remote, and it is something that I may be able to do part-time in the future when I begin to move back into ministry work. And I think it’s fun! But there are downsides. It will require some tough slogging to get myself to where I can be a productive programmer - which is to say, worth paying. I’m not starting from scratch, but it has been 20 years since I’ve worked in this area. There’s going to be a learning curve.

And where does that leave a masters program? If I get full-time work as a pastor without it, then I would see it as unnecessary. I’m incurably curious, and I’m a voracious reader. I am committed to learning and growing as a pastor in any case.

If I step away from ministry and develop software for a time, then a masters may be more appealing. Many pulpit committees seem to prefer a man with an MDiv, so it might help me land a job in the future.

Please pray for us!

Whoa. After thinking and praying about it for months, it feels like life is now moving at lightning speed!

Though much has come into focus through discussion and thinking since then, we still don’t have definite plans for work, housing, or the possibility of further schooling for me. But we are sure about one thing:

We’re… expecting baby #9 in September!

This is not what we were planning for 2025, but the Lord had other plans. Though we are grateful to God for this blessing (what’s better than a baby, after all?), we are also concerned about the added challenges it will bring in the coming months.

Please pray for us, and for Hannah in particular, as we continue to entrust ourselves to God’s fatherly care. God is so good.

I am writing to share that after much prayer and reflection, Hannah and I believe the Lord is leading us to conclude our time here in Bloomington. And so, I'm asking you to release me from my call as your pastor effective May 31, 2025.

This has not been an easy decision. Bloomington has been our home—mine since 2002 and Hannah’s since 1991. This church has shaped us, and words cannot express our love for this body. The respect and affection we hold for each of her officers is immense. Working alongside them has been a privilege. Still, we are convinced that the Lord is calling us to move forward in faith.

Why now?

Our church is entering an exciting season. The new addition has already blessed our life and ministries. The congregation is unified, tender-hearted, and anchored in the Gospel. I deeply believe in the direction of our pastoral care and our shared commitment to Scripture. As we step into this next chapter, it is clear to me that the church would benefit from a staff member who feels called to invest heavily in administration and operations. I recognize that this is not where my heart lies, and I believe it is best for both the church and my family to entrust this role to someone whose gifts and desires align with those needs.

What lies ahead?

My long-term desire remains pastoral ministry—preaching, teaching, writing, and counseling. While I do not have another church position lined up, I trust the Lord will provide. In the short term, we plan to step back from ministry for two years as we move to a new city, likely Evansville or Cincinnati. This will allow Brie to complete high school, and I may pursue a master’s degree. We hope this season of rest and preparation will position us for long-term, fruitful ministry wherever God leads.

We are still working through many details, but I am happy to answer any questions. Please pray for us! Though this transition will bring sorrow, we trust in the Lord’s wisdom. We believe He will use this for our sanctification and the church’s continued growth.

We love you very much.

In Christ,

Lucas Weeks
Associate Pastor
Trinity Reformed Church