Pastor Philpott Resigns

April 14, 1929

To the Members of The Moody Church
Chicago, Illinois

Brethren:

Seven years ago, under the manifest leading of the Holy Spirit, I began my ministry through the pastorate of this great church. As we look back over those years and consider all the experiences attending them we are thrilled at the evident marks of God’s goodness and blessing, and our hearts are full of gratitude as we exclaim with one of old, “This is the Lord’s doing, marvelous in our eyes.”

It has pleased our heavenly Father to bless the preaching of the Gospel of Christ. No week has passed without manifest fruitage in the conversion of those who have been brought to a saving knowledge of the truth in Him.

The membership of the church has been greatly augmented, and the regular congregations are larger now than at any other time in the church’s history.

This marvelous building (costing a million dollars), which has been erected during these years will ever be a fitting memorial to the founder whose name it bears. I do not take the glory for these achievements. I know that, under God, they are the result of your love, faith, and sacrifice. But I shall ever praise God that these triumphs of grace came to this church during the years of my pastorate.

For several months I have had the conviction that this should be the last year of my ministry with you. But I have withheld the announcement of my intention until after the Annual Missionary Rally. Today, therefore, I tender my resignation as Pastor, and by your courtesy I shall terminate my official duties on Sunday, June 30.

It is needless for me to say that my resignation has not been occasioned by any opposition or friction in either the congregation or the Executive Committee. It is the general consensus of opinion that The Moody Church was never more prosperous and harmonious than at the present time. I rejoice that it is under such ideal conditions that I relinquish the leadership.

Of my appreciation of your love and loyalty for both myself and my precious wife who has been so blessed and used of God among you, I shall not now speak, other than to say that you have been a most delightful people to serve. With me as Pastor you have been exceedingly considerate. You have borne patiently with my faults and short-comings, ever helping together with your prayers. Of our affection for you and our interest in your future there shall be no end. With the great apostle we would say, “Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all because I have you in my heart.”

In leaving you, it is my thought to do evangelistic and Bible conference work. I want, however, that only the will of God may be done in my life.

I shall present this resignation to the Executive Committee tomorrow evening and request that the church meeting be called as early as possible to take action upon it.

May the great Head of the Church send to you a leader in the fullness of the blessing of the Gospel of Christ.

Sincerely,
P.W. Philpott