A LETTER TO ENJOY CHURCH
From Pastor Summer, on behalf of our elders
There are a million ways I look up to John and Kristina, but one of the things I admire most about them is their unwavering commitment to their family. They are incredible parents. And while they care about Enjoy Church deeply, it pales in comparison to the care they have for their first church, their home.
Over the years I’ve gotten the privilege of doing Kingdom work closely with the Wickhams and observe how their fierce love of their kids shapes the way they lead. I’ve heard stories, like many of you have, from pastor’s kids who grow up resenting ministry or the church because dad or mom seemingly cared more about the church than them. Not the case with the Wickhams. They have always modeled something healthier.
If a church event or meeting overlaps with a game for Kayden or Jaren or a moment their kids need them, they choose their kids. Every time. A little while back, John texted me that he’d be late to our meeting. Not because of poor planning, but because one of his kids needed a little extra time with dad. And I also recall a recent message from Kristina one afternoon before a meeting with our lead team: “Running late! Sorry! Got caught up in a deep conversation with Alexis.” That’s who they are. Even when we’ve talked through potentially adding a second service, the only options considered have been ones that would protect their family’s health and time together.
The Wickhams are deeply committed to Enjoy Church and have sacrificed more than you will ever know to lead us to where we are today. But I share those specific examples to illustrate what has always been true about John and Kristina: their family is, and always will be, their first ministry and primary calling in life. That kind of leadership is rare, and it’s one of the reasons Enjoy Church is as healthy as it is today.
So, when Pastor John came to us this Wednesday and shared that their family is walking through something unexpected and in need of focused attention, the elders immediately supported the idea of stepping back.
The elder team has invited John and Kristina to take a three month sabbatical because there has been confession and struggle from within their household.
We want to be clear: this is not something that disqualifies John and Kristina from ministry. But we hold our pastors to a high standard, because the Bible does.
The standards outlined in Scripture, being blameless, above reproach, and having a well led household aren’t just ideals for pastors, they’re non-negotiables. While all of us are called to pursue those things, they’re essential qualifications for church leadership. Pastor John and Pastor Kristina take that seriously for the sake of Jesus, for their family, and for Enjoy. They’re committed to spending this season leaning into those qualifications with intentionality, and they’re honored to be held to a high standard.
We know that may feel like a big deal or even seem extreme, but this is part of the weight and beauty of the pastoral calling. Few people carry that same level of scrutiny or responsibility in their daily work, which can make this moment hard to fully relate to, but we ask for your trust and patience as the Wickhams walk this out with the Holy Spirit’s wisdom. At Enjoy, we want to make the smaller things a big deal in order to nip things in the bud and walk in greater freedom and maturity.
We also believe discipline is love, that repentance is a gift, and rest is biblical. This sabbatical is time for healing, repentance, study, and growth because the Wickhams are choosing to walk in integrity and take the call of leadership seriously.
There’s always tension in moments like this. No matter what we say, some people will feel like we’re being too vague, others may feel like we’re saying too much. We’re trying to walk that line with wisdom so that we can honor the privacy of the Wickham family while still being transparent and clear with the church.
We’re intentionally keeping the public details a bit general, not because there’s anything to hide, but because what was confessed isn’t something that requires a full church-wide explanation. If it were something extreme or disqualifying, we promise you would be told everything publicly and clearly. For this situation, we believe the most honoring and healthy way to give more detail is through personal conversation. So if you need a one-on-one conversation to help you process or get more information, one of our pastors would be more than happy to sit down with you and give you more specific detail about what specific struggles the Wickhams are walking through right now.
John and Kristina will still be around, just not leading. They’ll probably still attend house church, but as fellow Jesus followers, not as pastors. You’ll see them in the pews on many Sundays. Alexis will continue to lead worship. And on the Sundays they’re not here, they’re either spending intentional time as a family or being refreshed and inspired by other churches around Colorado. After 20 years in ministry with no real break, this time is long overdue. They’re modeling something really healthy for us. When life gets heavy, the best thing you can do is stay connected to God’s people, not isolate.
So, what does this mean for Enjoy Church?
Honestly, not as much as you might think. While John and Kristina are away, things here will be running as close to normal as possible, thanks to our incredible team of leaders. One of the most beautiful things about the way John has led Enjoy over the years is that it’s never been just about him. He’s built a model centered on house churches and shared leadership. And that means Enjoy doesn’t hinge on one person being in the pulpit.
Many churches would be in a panic and have to seriously rethink things if their senior pastor had to unexpectedly step away for any extended amount of time. But at Enjoy, we’re continuing forward. Which isn’t to minimize the Wickham’s absence, but the reality is they’ve built something sustainable. Our elders are still shepherding the church. As our executive pastor, I’ll be stepping in to carry John’s day-to-day ministry leadership. Our department and house church leaders are strong and steady.
We have 10 values at Enjoy. These are characteristics that embody who we believe God has uniquely wired and called Enjoy to be. One of those is “raise and release.” We are passionate and committed to raising up leaders. Pastor John has done a phenomenal job at doing that with humility and excellence. Which is why, again, the Wickham’s absence in leadership will be deeply felt by all of us because we love them so much, but we’re not scrambling.
After hearing all of that, you might be wondering…What can I do?
Get in a house church, today.
This matters now probably more than ever. If you’ve been on the fence about jumping in, this is the time. Don’t wait to feel ready, just take the step. In a season where we’re walking things out together, we need each other.
Pray for the Wickham family.
Pray for peace, healing, wisdom, growth, and closeness to Jesus. They’re stepping away to prioritize what matters most, so let’s honor that by covering them in prayer and believing that God will meet them powerfully in this season.
Pray for the leadership at Enjoy.
Pray for the elders, our pastors, our department leaders, and all of our house church leaders as they carry extra weight in this season. Pray for unity, discernment, and that we would stay holistically healthy.
Continue to give financially.
If you believe in what Enjoy is called to, keep giving faithfully. Your generosity allows ministry to continue, staff to be supported, and new opportunities to happen even in the midst of challenge.
Continue to serve.
This is the time to lean in, not pull back! The church is healthiest when every part of the body is doing its part. If you’ve been on the sidelines, now is a great time to step into serving.
Continue to show up.
Your presence matters. In uncertain seasons, consistency is a gift. Keep showing up on Sundays and in house churches in faith believing that the best days of Enjoy are still ahead.
Continue to be the church!
Something you’ll always hear us say around here is, “Let the church be the church.” The Church was never meant to revolve around a single leader or Sunday service. This moment is an opportunity to embody that. Not everything is easy right now, but that’s when the church gets to be what it’s meant to be.
We believe this season will lead to greater health for the Wickhams and ultimately, for Enjoy. So let’s honor them, pray for them, and stay in unity. What we all want is the same: for the Wickhams to be healthy, for Jesus to be glorified, and for Enjoy to keep thriving.
Thanks for trusting us. Let’s be the church, together. The best days are still ahead!
With love, and on behalf of our elders,
Summer Morrill
Executive Pastor
Over the years I’ve gotten the privilege of doing Kingdom work closely with the Wickhams and observe how their fierce love of their kids shapes the way they lead. I’ve heard stories, like many of you have, from pastor’s kids who grow up resenting ministry or the church because dad or mom seemingly cared more about the church than them. Not the case with the Wickhams. They have always modeled something healthier.
If a church event or meeting overlaps with a game for Kayden or Jaren or a moment their kids need them, they choose their kids. Every time. A little while back, John texted me that he’d be late to our meeting. Not because of poor planning, but because one of his kids needed a little extra time with dad. And I also recall a recent message from Kristina one afternoon before a meeting with our lead team: “Running late! Sorry! Got caught up in a deep conversation with Alexis.” That’s who they are. Even when we’ve talked through potentially adding a second service, the only options considered have been ones that would protect their family’s health and time together.
The Wickhams are deeply committed to Enjoy Church and have sacrificed more than you will ever know to lead us to where we are today. But I share those specific examples to illustrate what has always been true about John and Kristina: their family is, and always will be, their first ministry and primary calling in life. That kind of leadership is rare, and it’s one of the reasons Enjoy Church is as healthy as it is today.
So, when Pastor John came to us this Wednesday and shared that their family is walking through something unexpected and in need of focused attention, the elders immediately supported the idea of stepping back.
The elder team has invited John and Kristina to take a three month sabbatical because there has been confession and struggle from within their household.
We want to be clear: this is not something that disqualifies John and Kristina from ministry. But we hold our pastors to a high standard, because the Bible does.
The standards outlined in Scripture, being blameless, above reproach, and having a well led household aren’t just ideals for pastors, they’re non-negotiables. While all of us are called to pursue those things, they’re essential qualifications for church leadership. Pastor John and Pastor Kristina take that seriously for the sake of Jesus, for their family, and for Enjoy. They’re committed to spending this season leaning into those qualifications with intentionality, and they’re honored to be held to a high standard.
We know that may feel like a big deal or even seem extreme, but this is part of the weight and beauty of the pastoral calling. Few people carry that same level of scrutiny or responsibility in their daily work, which can make this moment hard to fully relate to, but we ask for your trust and patience as the Wickhams walk this out with the Holy Spirit’s wisdom. At Enjoy, we want to make the smaller things a big deal in order to nip things in the bud and walk in greater freedom and maturity.
We also believe discipline is love, that repentance is a gift, and rest is biblical. This sabbatical is time for healing, repentance, study, and growth because the Wickhams are choosing to walk in integrity and take the call of leadership seriously.
There’s always tension in moments like this. No matter what we say, some people will feel like we’re being too vague, others may feel like we’re saying too much. We’re trying to walk that line with wisdom so that we can honor the privacy of the Wickham family while still being transparent and clear with the church.
We’re intentionally keeping the public details a bit general, not because there’s anything to hide, but because what was confessed isn’t something that requires a full church-wide explanation. If it were something extreme or disqualifying, we promise you would be told everything publicly and clearly. For this situation, we believe the most honoring and healthy way to give more detail is through personal conversation. So if you need a one-on-one conversation to help you process or get more information, one of our pastors would be more than happy to sit down with you and give you more specific detail about what specific struggles the Wickhams are walking through right now.
John and Kristina will still be around, just not leading. They’ll probably still attend house church, but as fellow Jesus followers, not as pastors. You’ll see them in the pews on many Sundays. Alexis will continue to lead worship. And on the Sundays they’re not here, they’re either spending intentional time as a family or being refreshed and inspired by other churches around Colorado. After 20 years in ministry with no real break, this time is long overdue. They’re modeling something really healthy for us. When life gets heavy, the best thing you can do is stay connected to God’s people, not isolate.
So, what does this mean for Enjoy Church?
Honestly, not as much as you might think. While John and Kristina are away, things here will be running as close to normal as possible, thanks to our incredible team of leaders. One of the most beautiful things about the way John has led Enjoy over the years is that it’s never been just about him. He’s built a model centered on house churches and shared leadership. And that means Enjoy doesn’t hinge on one person being in the pulpit.
Many churches would be in a panic and have to seriously rethink things if their senior pastor had to unexpectedly step away for any extended amount of time. But at Enjoy, we’re continuing forward. Which isn’t to minimize the Wickham’s absence, but the reality is they’ve built something sustainable. Our elders are still shepherding the church. As our executive pastor, I’ll be stepping in to carry John’s day-to-day ministry leadership. Our department and house church leaders are strong and steady.
We have 10 values at Enjoy. These are characteristics that embody who we believe God has uniquely wired and called Enjoy to be. One of those is “raise and release.” We are passionate and committed to raising up leaders. Pastor John has done a phenomenal job at doing that with humility and excellence. Which is why, again, the Wickham’s absence in leadership will be deeply felt by all of us because we love them so much, but we’re not scrambling.
After hearing all of that, you might be wondering…What can I do?
Get in a house church, today.
This matters now probably more than ever. If you’ve been on the fence about jumping in, this is the time. Don’t wait to feel ready, just take the step. In a season where we’re walking things out together, we need each other.
Pray for the Wickham family.
Pray for peace, healing, wisdom, growth, and closeness to Jesus. They’re stepping away to prioritize what matters most, so let’s honor that by covering them in prayer and believing that God will meet them powerfully in this season.
Pray for the leadership at Enjoy.
Pray for the elders, our pastors, our department leaders, and all of our house church leaders as they carry extra weight in this season. Pray for unity, discernment, and that we would stay holistically healthy.
Continue to give financially.
If you believe in what Enjoy is called to, keep giving faithfully. Your generosity allows ministry to continue, staff to be supported, and new opportunities to happen even in the midst of challenge.
Continue to serve.
This is the time to lean in, not pull back! The church is healthiest when every part of the body is doing its part. If you’ve been on the sidelines, now is a great time to step into serving.
Continue to show up.
Your presence matters. In uncertain seasons, consistency is a gift. Keep showing up on Sundays and in house churches in faith believing that the best days of Enjoy are still ahead.
Continue to be the church!
Something you’ll always hear us say around here is, “Let the church be the church.” The Church was never meant to revolve around a single leader or Sunday service. This moment is an opportunity to embody that. Not everything is easy right now, but that’s when the church gets to be what it’s meant to be.
We believe this season will lead to greater health for the Wickhams and ultimately, for Enjoy. So let’s honor them, pray for them, and stay in unity. What we all want is the same: for the Wickhams to be healthy, for Jesus to be glorified, and for Enjoy to keep thriving.
Thanks for trusting us. Let’s be the church, together. The best days are still ahead!
With love, and on behalf of our elders,
Summer Morrill
Executive Pastor