Thanks, Reggie
It is with some sadness, and some joy, that I announce that Reggie Ponder, Jr. will be leaving the News Leader this week. He, his wife, Jane, and his son, Nathan, will be moving to Henderson, as he accepts a position with the Henderson Daily Dispatch.
I say with some joy, as I believe this is a good opportunity for Reggie. Several months ago we discussed his future, and we agreed that he should seek employment elsewhere, while continuing to work here. Let me be clear, I have been very happy with Reggie’s work, but he has heard a higher calling.
Reggie is an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church, and had gone on a leave of absence from the ministry before he accepted the job with the News Leader. He has wanted to return to the ministry on a part-time basis, and accepted an appointment in June, but working here and also serving there was not working out.
In July, though he was, as Reggie does, pushing himself very hard to try to get everything done and keep all his bases covered, we agreed that it was best for him to seek employment elsewhere. Again, this was not a reflection on his work here, as he continued to do more that was expected, but it was not the best situation for Reggie.
I am pleased for Reggie, as he is very familiar with the Henderson paper, having worked there a number of years ago in a similar capacity. As a larger newspaper with corporate ownership, they are able to offer benefits that we cannot. With a larger staff, his responsibilities will be narrower, whereas he is now on-call virtually 24-7. I believe this is a good move for Reggie.
I believe Reggie is a talented and gifted pastor. Like all of us, he has his faults and challenges, but I believe this appointment matches his gifts with the needs of the church. I know he works very hard to try to meet that church’s needs.
He told me recently how much he has enjoyed his time with us, and how it reminded him of his joy in working in this business. I believe that has been reflected with the quality of the work he has produced.
On a very personal note, Reggie has been a very special friend for four years. We have shared a lot over that time, and I will miss him.
He has also been a very special person with the News Leader.
When our, at the time, lone reporter, Greg Tobolski, passed away suddenly while on a family trip, I immediately called Reggie and asked if he could help us. That was nearly two years ago.
I believe in Divine Appointments, that some things happen, not out of coincidence, but because God wills them to happen. While I don’t believe that God willed Greg’s death, He used that for the benefit of the News Leader, Barry Merrill, and Reggie.
Reggie was uniquely gifted and was available to step in. I honestly don’t know how we would have produced a newspaper for several weeks if my friend, Reggie, had not stepped in to fill the gap. I give God the glory for that answered prayer.
Reggie was an important part of the transition that has happened over the past year and a half. We are evolving as a newspaper, and having a person with the talent and qualifications that he possesses was very important in our becoming the paper we are today. Having the right staff was not something I planned, but I do give someone else the credit for helping to make that happen.
I don’t want this to sound patronizing on our part, for it wasn’t, but I know that this time with the News Leader was important for Reggie. It helped him put a rudder on his ship during a difficult time of transition.
I don’t know if he will ever return to the ministry full-time, but I know he has significant gifts and talents for both the ministry and newspapers. For the near term, I am glad for him, for the ministry, and for newspapering, that he will be sharing those gifts in both the areas.
We wish Reggie, Jane and Nathan all the best, and we will miss them.
I say with some joy, as I believe this is a good opportunity for Reggie. Several months ago we discussed his future, and we agreed that he should seek employment elsewhere, while continuing to work here. Let me be clear, I have been very happy with Reggie’s work, but he has heard a higher calling.
Reggie is an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church, and had gone on a leave of absence from the ministry before he accepted the job with the News Leader. He has wanted to return to the ministry on a part-time basis, and accepted an appointment in June, but working here and also serving there was not working out.
In July, though he was, as Reggie does, pushing himself very hard to try to get everything done and keep all his bases covered, we agreed that it was best for him to seek employment elsewhere. Again, this was not a reflection on his work here, as he continued to do more that was expected, but it was not the best situation for Reggie.
I am pleased for Reggie, as he is very familiar with the Henderson paper, having worked there a number of years ago in a similar capacity. As a larger newspaper with corporate ownership, they are able to offer benefits that we cannot. With a larger staff, his responsibilities will be narrower, whereas he is now on-call virtually 24-7. I believe this is a good move for Reggie.
I believe Reggie is a talented and gifted pastor. Like all of us, he has his faults and challenges, but I believe this appointment matches his gifts with the needs of the church. I know he works very hard to try to meet that church’s needs.
He told me recently how much he has enjoyed his time with us, and how it reminded him of his joy in working in this business. I believe that has been reflected with the quality of the work he has produced.
On a very personal note, Reggie has been a very special friend for four years. We have shared a lot over that time, and I will miss him.
He has also been a very special person with the News Leader.
When our, at the time, lone reporter, Greg Tobolski, passed away suddenly while on a family trip, I immediately called Reggie and asked if he could help us. That was nearly two years ago.
I believe in Divine Appointments, that some things happen, not out of coincidence, but because God wills them to happen. While I don’t believe that God willed Greg’s death, He used that for the benefit of the News Leader, Barry Merrill, and Reggie.
Reggie was uniquely gifted and was available to step in. I honestly don’t know how we would have produced a newspaper for several weeks if my friend, Reggie, had not stepped in to fill the gap. I give God the glory for that answered prayer.
Reggie was an important part of the transition that has happened over the past year and a half. We are evolving as a newspaper, and having a person with the talent and qualifications that he possesses was very important in our becoming the paper we are today. Having the right staff was not something I planned, but I do give someone else the credit for helping to make that happen.
I don’t want this to sound patronizing on our part, for it wasn’t, but I know that this time with the News Leader was important for Reggie. It helped him put a rudder on his ship during a difficult time of transition.
I don’t know if he will ever return to the ministry full-time, but I know he has significant gifts and talents for both the ministry and newspapers. For the near term, I am glad for him, for the ministry, and for newspapering, that he will be sharing those gifts in both the areas.
We wish Reggie, Jane and Nathan all the best, and we will miss them.
posted by Barry | 9:53 AM
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