I can remember the day as if it was yesterday. I sat across the table from Mark Beeson and Tim Stevens at a Bob Evans restaurant north of South Bend. It was the first conversation I had with Mark about the possibility of joining the staff team at Granger Community Church. It was both exciting and scary at the same time. I had dedicated the previous ten years of my life to moving up in my career as a city manager. Two degrees and four cities later, I was talking about going into full-time ministry over a plate of biscuits and gravy. That was in the summer of 1998. A lot has changed in my life since then.

Last week, I had a similar conversation with a good friend. Again, it was a conversation filled with both excitement and fear. The conversation this time took place over a plate of grouper instead of biscuits and gravy. (It was pretty good grouper.) And, instead of changing careers, the conversation this time was about changing locations and churches. It was a good thing the grouper was good.

Before I tell you more about my meal, let me share a little bit of what I’ve experienced at Granger in just over eight years of ministry:

  • I’ve witnessed a move of God unlike anything I’ve ever personally witnessed in my life. Before I attended Granger, I had no idea a church could so effectively minister to people who were not only far from the church but also far from God.
  • I’ve personally watched thousands of people accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior in various ministry environments.
  • I’ve watched thousands of people publicly profess their faith through baptism.
  • I’ve personally had the privilege of baptizing hundreds of new Christ-followers.
  • I’ve seen a church grow from about 1,400 people in attendance to 5,700.
  • I experienced a revolution in how the Gospel is shared in today’s culture. No one does weekends like Granger does weekends.
  • I’ve seen Granger’s outreach efforts expand beyond the walls of the church from inner-city South Bend to villages of India.
  • I had the opportunity to launch WiredChurches.com, Granger’s ministry to other churches and church leaders.
  • I got to sit in the auditorium and experience the first five Innovative Church Conferences. I loved them all!
  • I have watched Granger’s influence grow as it continues to resource and equip over 10,000 church leaders throughout the world.
  • I had the privilege of partnering with my teammate, Tim Stevens, to write three books on the strategies behind the ministry at Granger.
  • I’ve been in a front row seat to witness and discuss the impact of innovation in the local church.
  • I’ve sat under what could possibly be one of the best teaching teams in the country. Mark B., Rob, Bob and Mark W. have stretched my vision of the church and my walk with Christ.
  • I’ve made friendships in ministry that will last a lifetime. (More about this in a future post.)

Like I said, it was a very good plate of grouper. And, it was presented at just the right time. Though it’s been an incredible run of ministry at Granger, God has been preparing Emily and me for some time to embrace a new adventure. And, the big announcement is that I’m going to be leaving Granger to take a new ministry role. This is a big leap for me. It’s a big leap for my family. We don’t know what the future holds, and we’re giving up lots of security to take this step. It’s going to be a good step, though, and that gets me excited.

Over the next few weeks, I’ll be wrapping up my functions at Granger and preparing my current team for a transition in leadership. And, then, sometime in mid-February, I’ll be starting my next assignment. Let me tell you a little bit about where I’m going:

  • The church held its first service seven years ago.
  • It shares a similar vision to Granger in that it’s trying to bring the love and hope of Jesus Christ to people who have given up on church.
  • It’s led by a dynamic, young leader. I’m going to be one of the old guys on the team.
  • The team, similar to Granger, is ultra-talented. I would not consider an opportunity like this if I didn’t think the team was going to stretch me–and this group will.
  • The church moved into their very first building last year, and they’re preparing to build again to make room for the growing crowds.
  • This past weekend, 7,250 people showed up for the weekend services. Again, the church is only seven years old. Attendance in the last 12 months has grown by almost 60%.
  • The church has grown that fast, but, get this, it’s not located in metroland America. It’s in a rural area. The church is located in a town of only 25,000 people. There are only 175,000 in the entire county. They’re reaching about 1 out of every 22 people that live in their county.
  • There are palm trees where I’m going.

With that, I’m excited to announce that I’m going to be joining the staff team of NewSpring Church in Anderson, South Carolina. Perry Noble, one of my favorite bloggers, will be my new boss. I’ll be serving Perry on NewSpring’s senior management team with four other guys. Perry and I haven’t completely defined the role, but it looks like I’ll initially get to oversee communications, guest services and volunteer connections. I’ll also get the chance to help NewSpring launch their new ministry to provide resources and training to other church leaders. Perry hasn’t given me a title. I don’t really want one. I figure I’ll have more freedom to serve and lead wherever I’m needed without one.

Here’s what’s not going to change:

  • I’m not going to stop blogging. In fact, things could get pretty interesting around here. You’ll get to sit in the passenger’s seat as I navigate this transition and launch into my new ministry role.
  • I’m not going to stop writing. I may even convince Tim to write another book with me. Simply Strategic Blogging has a nice ring to it.
  • I’m not going to stop talking about the incredible stuff that God is doing at Granger Community Church.
  • I’m not going to stop raising the value of innovation in the church. The Gospel message will never change. The methods we use must continue to change to reach today’s culture.

That’s the big news. I’m excited. I’m scared. And, I’m praying that a Starbucks opens up in Anderson, South Carolina.

(Here’s what Mark Beeson had to say about my decision.)

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