Since University Church of Christ’s (UCC) unexpected announcement earlier this week that Thomas Fitzpatrick will return to his position as campus minister, Fitzpatrick and Senior Pastor and church Elder Rich Little shed light on the story behind what led Fitzpatrick asking for the opportunity to fill the space he left last semester.
The Campus Minister Search Committee was nearing its final stages of hiring a new campus minister, narrowing final interviews down to two candidates, when Fitzpatrick expressed his interest in returning to campus ministries.
“We knew we would receive an entirely new vision and philosophy with a new candidate, however there was never a feeling that Thomas’ vision and philosophy was incompatible with the church, and given his recent experiences, we knew he would bring additional strengths and insights he didn’t possess prior to his departure,” Little wrote in an e-mail.
Fitzpatrick explained what caused him to request the opportunity to return to his position at UCC, since leaving at the end of May to work as an associate preaching minister at a church called The Hills in Fort Worth, Texas.
“Things didn’t feel right from the first moment I got here [Fort Worth],” Fitzpatrick wrote in an e-mail. “Nothing has ever been wrong, in fact quite the opposite, we love the church here and the people love my preaching, but my heart and passion are not here —they are at Pepperdine.”
While he and his family started to integrate with their new home and his new job, Fitzpatrick said he continually thought about UCC’s new house groups, the new intern team, the new students and several guys he was discipling. He said he believes it was a clear sign of his call to minister at Pepperdine.
“It’s not fair to the people here for me to only give them part of myself, and not all of it,” Fitzpatrick wrote.
Little said the committee was initially surprised and intrigued by Fitzpatrick’s interest in returning.
“We were interested in how this unique and highly unusual circumstance might meet the expectations of the committee and provide a unique opportunity for someone familiar with our church to use this season as a learning experience that will further refine his ministry and calling,” Little wrote.
Little described the actions taken by the committee before making their unanimous vote.
“The moments leading up to consensus were extremely positive and constructive,” Little wrote. “Multiple phone conversations, email exchanges, a Skype meeting and a conference call with the eldership provided everyone with a sense of Thomas’ journey and decision making process.”
The elders and the committee asked important questions, and were pleased with the answers they heard, according to Little.
Fitzpatrick said it was a blessing to hear the committee wanted him back.
“It humbles and honors me to know they voted unanimously for it,” Fitzpatrick wrote. “That’s what grace is — an undeserved second chance.”
Rich believes the community will react positively to Fitzpatrick’s return.
“Thomas was loved by Pepperdine community and I expect people to be generally pleased by his return and ministry here,” Little wrote.
However, Fitzpatrick himself foresees some concern.
“I expect there will be a very mixed reaction to my return,” Fitzpatrick wrote. “Some will think that I am crazy and foolish, and they would be right. Some would say I made a lot of mistakes and they too would be right. But hopefully people will understand that walking by faith is scary and uncertain.”
All in all, Fitzpatrick describes the series of events as a learning experience.
“I am learning that God wants me to know and trust him,” Fitzpatrick wrote. “Not work for him, not speak on his behalf, not necessarily preach at a church or do campus ministry, but to truly know and trust him.
“As a Christian I want to know what his voice sounds like and what his face looks like, and although this is all incredibly stressful & embarrassing, I think I’m beginning to hear and see a little more clearly.”