After 38 years of serving and loving the people of Pulpit Rock Church, Diane Stermer is retiring from her staff position.
That is a sentence I didn’t expect to write. Some people become such a central part of a community that it is easy to assume that they will always be present. And that is how it has felt working with Diane for the past 22 years.
She has been a steady anchor for our staff, a gracious presence for our church, and a living example of the heart of Jesus for so many of us. I am excited for her and Jerry as they move into a season of retirement, but to say we will miss her is an understatement.
Diane started working at Pulpit Rock in the Student Ministry 38 years ago. Her skill and faithfulness led to multiple roles – most notably Director of Women’s Ministry and Executive Assistant for our last 4 senior pastors.
I have had the privilege of working alongside her for 22 years and had the benefit of having her as my Executive Assistant for the last 7 years. She embodies the word faithful. And in every role, she has carried the heart of a shepherd, constantly pointing us all to Jesus. She has sat across from countless people listening and praying for them. Her presence always manages to pull back the curtain a little bit so that we can glimpse a little more of heaven on earth.
One of her unique ministries has been supporting the senior pastors of our church. When I mentioned her retirement to a couple of former senior pastors, they reminisced about her impact.
Mark Tuggle – “I could probably write a book on what I appreciate about Diane. One thing that was wonderful about Diane is that she taught me how to work with an executive administrator. She trained me! She was always proactive and saw what I needed before I saw it. But those things pale in comparison to her prayers and wisdom. I remember praying with her about tough things, and I know she was praying for Penny and me. I will forever be grateful for her investment in Penny. Now Penny gets to be “Diane” to other young women. That’s a legacy!”
Thomas Thompson – “Diane served as my executive assistant for almost a decade, and she exemplified what an Executive Assistant should be. I remember so often walking by her office and her flagging me down, having caught details and anticipated needs before I had brought them up. Beyond her administrative strength, she was a key partner in ministry. I regularly relied on her advice and prayerful counsel when working through tough decisions. She loves Jesus and she loves people. Congratulations on your retirement, Diane, and thank you for years of faithful service.”
For the last few years, Diane has been working with our “Shepherding Team” and supporting us in our work. Here is some of what that team has noticed about Diane.
Kyle Collins (Executive Pastor of Leadership) – Diane’s constant voice of encouragement and her timely wisdom have been beautiful gifts to our church and staff. But in a more personal way Diane has been God’s grace and provision to me in big and small moments countless times over the past 15 years. What I most admire about Diane is her genuine curiosity. She doesn’t ask a question just to move along a conversation, she truly wants to know and to understand, to explore what sits beneath the surface. Diane’s questions have invited me to wrestle, to reflect, to consider and at times even gently redirected me. Shepherding and caring for our congregation beside Diane has shaped and formed me in profound ways as I have watched her pray and listen and walk beside those hurting and stuck over and over again. Diane, thank you for the ways you have faithfully walked with Jesus and shared the fruit of that communion with me and with Pulpit Rock. Being around you these past 15 years has made it easier to believe that Jesus is alive, that He is good and that He is worth following!
Christy Penley (Executive Pastor of Fun) – “Diane loves her family and her church family in consistent and beautiful ways. She is a faithful prayer warrior and her heart bleeds for the person in need. She spurs meon just by how she lives for Jesus and her love for Him. Her heart for God and His way has deeply impacted our staff and congregation. She will be profoundly missed and has left a permanent mark on Pulpit Rock and our people.”
Adria Robinson (Executive Director of Operations) – “Diane is not just a fellow staff member, but a dear friend and mentor—someone I have confided in and sought counsel from over the years. Her own journey as a wife, mother, daughter, and sister in Christ has encouraged my heart and consistently pointed me to Jesus in the most loving and gentle of ways. I can’t remember a time I’ve sat with Diane sharing about what’s going on in my life when she didn’t say, “Can we pray about that right now?” And we would. That simple invitation is such a beautiful reflection of who Diane is. She serves with a grateful heart, is generous and kind, and models so well the beauty of loving others and loving life. And Diane is so much fun! I love her adventurous spirit – be it picking up a new hobby or how she has embraced change over the years, with such a joyful spirit. Diane – I am so grateful for you!”
I would wholeheartedly agree with all those words and just want to add that it has been one of the highlights of my ministry to work with Diane. She has seen me grow and change as a pastor and make a lot of mistakes along the way. And through it all, she has been a constant source of grace, help, and wisdom. I have no doubt that our God looks at her ministry career and says a resounding “well done!” for her faithfulness and goodness to our church.
Please join me in praying for Diane and Jerry as they transition into all that God has for them next.
Jonathan Cleveland
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