A little over a month ago I announced the news that I had made the decision to leave my position as the Director of Communications at Park Community Church. It was an enormous step of faith on my part because, at the time of my resignation, I didn’t have another job. I felt like the time was right and even though the “what’s next” part was still an empty fill-in-the-blank, I knew it was a risk God was leading me to take.
I’m really excited to say that God came through [and I’m learning that God really does honor obedience].
I had begun having nightmares of having to go back to Starbucks or going back to square one to look for a job, but within hours of my announcement I had emails and calls from some amazing people and organizations. I was truly humbled and in awe of God’s faithfulness. I ended up having four very different but promising leads that absolutely blew my mind.
I didn’t want to work for a church but wanted to work for the Church, helping churches communicate and tell their story more effectively, whether that be through consulting or by going free agent. Well, about a week to the day of my blog post I was offered and accepted a job!
Beginning in January 2011, I will be joining the team at Church Solutions Group.
I know what you’re thinking… “don’t they just do buildings?”
That’s what I thought, too.
Church Solutions Group is primarily known for church building, architecture, and A/V. They built Willow Creek’s auditorium and did Park’s new worship space, but they do so much more than buildings! CSG is aiming to be a true solution for churches offering a variety of services from helping churches think through strategic planning and implementation, assisting with capital campaigns and even helping with the people side of things from helping churches with staffing, volunteers, and more.
There’s a lot taking shape and it’s still very much in the start-up phase, which is exciting, and something that will be a blast to be a part of. And, my former creative counterpart at Park, Jason Widney is working with CSG too, so “the band” will be back together again!
In my role I’ll be functioning as a communications consultant, helping churches think through their communications and branding, as well as helping CSG brand and develop their new initiatives and services to churches.
I’m equally excited to share that I will continue to be an active church communications practitioner, as I’ll be joining a volunteer team to help run communications at what will be my new church home, Soul City Church.
I’ve been following the unfolding story of Soul City and have become good friends with Jarrett and Jeanne Stevens as they’ve moved into the city. I was able to be a part of their first service last month and that pretty much sealed the deal for me, knowing I’d need to find a new church home, as I’d be transitioning off the team at Park.
I’m so excited about this next chapter, both in working with Church Solutions Group to help serve the Church, and plugging in to help volunteer and be a part of a new church that’s been planted in Chicago.
As for everything else, I will continue to be speaking, writing, and sharing my thoughts on church communications from a new perspective, both as a consultant and volunteer! Next year already has some big things in store: the release of OUTSPOKEN, Cultivate, and Story!
For those who were wondering, my role at Park has been transitioned to my good friend and soon-to-be former assistant, Josh Burns. I met Josh for the first time a couple of years ago at the ECHO Church Media Conference. He had been attending and volunteering at Park while going to Moody Bible Institute and joined our staff team at Park over a year ago helping with media arts.
Josh began working with me in communications over the summer and showed that he was passionate and more than qualified to lead communications at Park. He’s young, insightful, and years beyond his age when it comes to thinking through the role of communications in the Church. He’s already proven to be a valuable part of our team and I am thrilled that he’ll be taking over the reigns. Follow him, subscribe to his blog, and watch as he takes it to another level!
Many thanks to all of you who have sent notes or DM’s of encouragement and for your prayers over the past month. It’s been such a humbling journey and I’m so amazed at how God has provided and written the beginnings of this next chapter.
I’m so excited to see what’s next!
