I Have a New Job!
I’m excited to share with you some big news. Earlier this week, I accepted the job of executive director of ministries at West Ridge Church near Atlanta. In my new role, I’ll be one of three pastors who report directly to Brian Bloye, the founding/senior pastor. Brian and I have been acquaintances over the last several years, but have spent quite a bit of time getting to know each other and our families over the last number of months. He’s a good guy with a big vision for ministry.
In my new role, I’ll be overseeing ministry teams that include children, students, groups, outreach and church planting. A couple of other guys will be leading the administration and creative arts areas. Additionally, I’ve been introduced to a number of sharp staff and volunteer leaders that I’ll be serving beside in my role.
For those of you not familiar with West Ridge’s story, Brian planted the church about 12 years ago in the northwest suburbs of Atlanta. For the first 8 years, the church held services in local schools. About 4 years ago, they moved into their new campus near Dallas, Georgia. Though the church is having a significant impact in the northwest suburbs, their bigger impact may be the new churches that have launched from their ministry. West Ridge has been instrumental in planting almost 50 churches throughout the country including several in the Atlanta region.
This is going to be a unique role both for me and the church. The majority of my time will be focused at West Ridge. The remainder of my time Brian and I have agreed should be focused on equipping and challenging other church leaders. In other words, I’m going to continue offering coaching and consulting to churches across the country. I’ll continue to share what I’m learning through writing and speaking engagements. And, where appropriate, I’ll continue to leverage my strategic partners to help churches have a bigger impact in their communities. It’s a win-win for West Ridge and me. I get the opportunity to serve at a great church, and they get to pay me as if I’m part-time. (In other words… I’m cheap.)
What does that mean for you? Well, in addition to the learnings I’m sharing from my connections with churches across the country, I’ll be sharing a lot more about the stories that are unfolding at West Ridge. I’m convinced you’re going to be challenged and encouraged by what’s happening in our ministry. And, if history holds true, I’m also going to continue to learn from you through the conversations that these experiences and stories provoke.
In the mean time, please pray for my family and me. We have a house to sell and a move to Atlanta in front of us. Until then, our family will continue to stay engaged in our friendships and activities here in Anderson. That, of course, includes our involvement at NewSpring Church. While we’re working through this transition, I’ll be commuting to Atlanta so I can begin to get engaged at West Ridge. Yep, it’s going to be crazy for a season, but the Morgans are all excited about our new adventure.
Congrats, Tony! Excited for you …! JG
Congrats! Sounds like an awesome oppurtunity and I can’t wait to hear more about what’s going on there!
awesome. praying for you and your fam, bro.
Congrats Tony! I’m sure you’ll be missed at New Spring, but West Ridge is lucky to get ya. Good luck to you and yours…
Congratulations! Excited for you and for West Ridge.
Congrats Tony! You and your family will enjoy the ATL!
Tony, first congratulations on the opportunity you have been positioned with. I am excited about what YOU will learn and bring forth from this transition and process. I understand the transitional part totally(personally) and hope that you’ll share your growth with us so we can learn together bro. I’ll be praying for you and your family, NewSpring and WestRidge.
Congrats Tony! Look forward to hearing about your work there at West Ridge.
congrats to you – we’ll miss you @ NewSpring, but look forward to hearing more about what God is doing in & through you! Awesome!
WOW! Dallas is my hometown! Still have a lot of family there. Hope the move goes well for you guys. God Bless you.
-BP
congrats!
Congrats Tony! So glad to hear about it. BTW, Ga Tech lies and cheats…just sayin :) (cough cough…GoDAWGS!…cough) Will be praying for you and your family through the transition.
Congratulations on the new opportunity! sounds exciting… can’t wait to read of your new experiences
Congrats. You are one state from realizing your dream ;-)
So are you going to pick an SEC Team this time? PLEASE don’t pick Georgia Tech to root for. You can live in GA and pick a real team in another state you know. You
Congratulations!!! Glad to hear you’ll be down in our neck of the woods. Maybe you could stop by the Catalyst offices?
Congrats on the new job Tony. Another Ohio boy made good. I’m looking forward to your insights from your new position as well as from your continuing “itinerant ministry”.
Congrats man! I’m excited for you! I’ll pray for your family, NewSpring and West Ridge during your transition.
Congrats!
Welcome to Atlanta!
Sounds like a great fit – congrats and praise the Lord!
Wow…that’s exciting! West Ridge is a great church! I used to go there before I started working for one of their church plants (Oak Leaf Church). You’re probably squared away, but let me know if you need anything in the Kennesaw/Dallas area.
Scary. ~30 miles from Buckhead Church…
synergy? ;)
You belong in ATL! Can’t wait to hang with you more!!!
As one of the Westridge church plants, I couldn’t be happier for you and for them. I know them well, and they have a great heart. You guys will make a great team!
Michael
You BELONG in ATL! Can’t wait to hang out with you more around here!
Congrats and welcome to the ATL! (or, just outside of it)
BTW, everyone knows that the only football team in this state that matters is Georgia. Just sayin’. We’d love to have you in Bulldawg Nation! =)
Wow, Tony what a deal!
Congrats of course and we look forward to your impact here in the ATL.
I’m a local EP at Eastridge Community Church almost directly opposite ya’ll on the east side about 35 miles SE of ATL.
I’m hoping to work some money into our budget next year for your coaching network. I love what you do and appreciate your heart!
Good luck with the house sell, the move, the transition,etc.
trey
Tony,
Congratualtions on your new position. You will add great value to your new church. Kepp us posted how things are working out.
Congrats Tony. Praying for a smooth transition.
That is great news Tony. Congratulations, I’ll be praying for a smooth transition for you and your family.
Congratulations Tony, that’s great! I’m so glad that you’ll be able to continue playing a role in building up church leaders across the country. God has really SHAPEd you well for that :)
Congrats to you and your family from the DeWinter’s! Enjoy ATL. The people of ATL and West Ridge will be blessed with your leadership & friendship. Thank you for believing in us years ago-”To those who give opportunity, will be rewarded with opportunity.”
Aaron
Congratulations, Tony, on this exciting new opportunity. We hate to lose you in Anderson, but I know God will use you in some wonderful new ways.
But I hope you’ll still be available as a guest speaker for the Master of Ministry communications course!
Michael
Welcome to ATL. I live less than 5 minutes from West Ridge and it is a great church. I have been following you and Brian Bloye on Twitter and look forward to welcoming you to the area.
Congrats. My MOM is a member there, so don’t mess her church up. ;)
Exciting news Tony. I just did church planters training with Westridge. Great staff with a great leader.
Sounds like a great fit. Can’t wait to hear stories from this new chapter.
Congrats! I’ll be praying for you and your family.
We’re excited and can’t wait for you and the fam to get here!
Tony! So happy for you and your family. Also, great to have another friend in the ATL, just another reason to come there.
Your gifts & talents will be greatly used, no doubt! Looking forward to the good reports soon.
Congratulations!! Praying for you now that this is a fruitful time of ministry for you.
btw: their family guy Dave Cole …. is amazing!!!
We are honored and humbled for you to be part of West Ridge!
Tony, we are excited to finally have someone to pick up the parking lot Sunday mornings and play tuba in the choir. Welcome
can Kayla stay with us? we’ll miss her on stage!
excited for y’all and for what’s ahead!
Awesome news man! Congratulations.
Congrats Tony! Look forward to hearing more at our NEXT Coaching meeting.
See you then!
Tony, glad to have you as my new boss and look forward to working with you. You are a great asset to this team.
Congrats! Do your best.
P.S.
Does this pay more than your previous job? Lol jk.
Congratulations Tony! You guys will be missed but we are so excited for you!
Congratulations Tony, looks like a great oportunity.
Way to go Tony! The Cole family will be praying for the Morgan family!!
Congrations looks like you have an exciting journey ahead.
The economy is now rebounding as you finally have a job(lol). Congrats, God Bless and best wishes on finding a new home and a buyer for your present home.
That is exciting news, Tony! Congratulations. Its not a surprise to me that you ended up in the ATL. That is such a hot-bed for ministry & innovation.
–Terrace Crawford
http://www.terracecrawford.com
http://www.twitter.com/terracecrawford
Had a great time at Willow with you, and I can’t wait to see what God has in store for us all as we further His Kingdom together. I’ll be praying for your family during the trnsition, and for His continued annointing on your life.
Congrats Tony! Not sure I like the idea of you going off the road and tied down to one particular church, but I’m just being selfish… :P
I’ve only recently been following your blog and Twitter, but I’ve thoroughly enjoyed your bits of wisdom. Please, at least keep sending out those little nuggets of knowledge!
I’ve followed your blog since the Granger days and attend West Ridge – looking forward to meeting you and your family.
Congrats!
Congrats – sounds like a great fit!
nice turnaround…congrats…
Congratulations Tony. I’ll be praying for a smooth transition for you and your family.
Woohooo! I’m so excited to meet your wife and children. Dinner at the Richardson’s very soon!!!
Congrats, Tony!! Glad you found a new church home and ministry!
Tony,
This is wonderful news! It sounds like a great fit for you!
Josh
Congrats Tony, all the amazing things in and around the ATL make fighting the traffic worth it.
Congrats Tony! Great position for you and the church! West Ridge is an awesome church and they are definitely thinking forward in their hiring process! Prayers are with you and your family as you make this exciting transition!