Change
I never blogged about it, but just in case you didn't know, I left my position as an Assistant Children's Pastor at Fellowship Church (FC) about 4 weeks ago. When I was hired I was asked to commit for a full year and then see how I felt about it. I knew, and FC knew before I started that I was called to Student Ministry, but I really wanted to try this position to learn how FC worked and how they ran their Children's ministry. After a year of constant learning (seriously, I learned something new every week there) I knew it was time to leave.
While I enjoyed my role at FC Kids (what they call their children's dept) it completely confirmed my calling and my desire to work with students. So, I left that position in pursuit of a student ministry (SM) position.
While I'm in between jobs I'm doing contract photoshop and after effects work on the side. I'm very excited to see where God leads me.
School is going well. I'll be done with my 3rd semester here in a few days. We're in final exams right now and I'm blogging when I should be studying. (Isn't it amazing the stuff you'll find to do INSTEAD of studying?) This semester I switched from the MDiv to the MACE degree. So 3 down and we'll see how many more to go.
All of that to say, I've been going to a new church these past 4 weeks. It is the church that my fiancee has been going to for over a year now. The pastor is Matt Chandler. It's basically this tiny little church in Highland Village, TX which is north DFW that runs around 5,000 people on a weekend. It is called The Village. Right now my only involvement is going to service. As long as I'm in DFW and still looking for a SM position I'll be attending here. Then after that, you can guarantee that I'll be listening to the podcasts.
I'll explain it to you like I explained it to a friend on the phone a few minutes ago. Some of you may know that I am a huge fan of Andy Stanley's preaching. Well before attending the Village, by far I thought Andy Stanley was the best speaker in the country I'd heard. Well, after spending a month under Matt Chandler, his preaching blows Andy Stanley's preaching out of the water. Matt Chandler is THAT anointed and THAT gifted. (i know it's not a competition)
So obviously I recommend his podcasts. Where to start?
For anyone, click here, entitled "What is Truth?"
If you're a guy, I dare you to click here, for part 1, of a series called "The Role of Men". Here's Part 2 & Part 3.
Recently, he's been walking his church through their 5 foundations. Check out the podcast page for this series and all of their podcasts since 2005 by click here. Oh, he also preached one called "Nine Pastoral Prayers" which is a sermon about the nine prayers he and his staff have been praying for the church. They're all fantastic!
While I enjoyed my role at FC Kids (what they call their children's dept) it completely confirmed my calling and my desire to work with students. So, I left that position in pursuit of a student ministry (SM) position.
While I'm in between jobs I'm doing contract photoshop and after effects work on the side. I'm very excited to see where God leads me.
School is going well. I'll be done with my 3rd semester here in a few days. We're in final exams right now and I'm blogging when I should be studying. (Isn't it amazing the stuff you'll find to do INSTEAD of studying?) This semester I switched from the MDiv to the MACE degree. So 3 down and we'll see how many more to go.
All of that to say, I've been going to a new church these past 4 weeks. It is the church that my fiancee has been going to for over a year now. The pastor is Matt Chandler. It's basically this tiny little church in Highland Village, TX which is north DFW that runs around 5,000 people on a weekend. It is called The Village. Right now my only involvement is going to service. As long as I'm in DFW and still looking for a SM position I'll be attending here. Then after that, you can guarantee that I'll be listening to the podcasts.
I'll explain it to you like I explained it to a friend on the phone a few minutes ago. Some of you may know that I am a huge fan of Andy Stanley's preaching. Well before attending the Village, by far I thought Andy Stanley was the best speaker in the country I'd heard. Well, after spending a month under Matt Chandler, his preaching blows Andy Stanley's preaching out of the water. Matt Chandler is THAT anointed and THAT gifted. (i know it's not a competition)
So obviously I recommend his podcasts. Where to start?
For anyone, click here, entitled "What is Truth?"
If you're a guy, I dare you to click here, for part 1, of a series called "The Role of Men". Here's Part 2 & Part 3.
Recently, he's been walking his church through their 5 foundations. Check out the podcast page for this series and all of their podcasts since 2005 by click here. Oh, he also preached one called "Nine Pastoral Prayers" which is a sermon about the nine prayers he and his staff have been praying for the church. They're all fantastic!
Labels: Church
Wow! It sounds like the Lord is changing you and leading you in some awesome ways.
One weird thing...I've been reading Matt Chandler's wife's blog for a long time now! How awesome that you are going to their church!
Posted by
jamie b |
11:35 PM
i wish you the best in whatever there is to come for you.
Posted by
scott |
7:30 PM
Hi Sean!
It's good to hear you are doing well. I think that is wonderful how you've found your calling. I think it would be hard though to switch churches like that. It took Dustin and I awhile to find a church that we really felt able to call home. We tried several before finding The Bridge and it's awesome!
Posted by
Steph and Dustin |
11:33 PM
Sean I know God has AWESOME plans for your life! May He bless you more and more as He guides you and leads you. Rest assured, He’s placing you right where He needs you in His kingdom as you seek His will for your life. Praying for clarity of mind during finals!!!!
In His grace, vo
Posted by
Anonymous |
6:42 AM
Hey Sean,
Love the "Who We Are" statements on The Village's website....
"Our mission statement succinctly describes our heart at The Village Church. First and foremost, we are God-centered. We exist to bring glory to God. This is the chief aim and purpose of humanity and all of creation. The glory of God is ultimate. The Scriptures, our sacred literature, share the wonderful news that God is glorified through changed lives. Life change is both an event (salvation) and a process (sanctification). Initial life change occurs at salvation, or re-birth. This is the result of a person placing his or her faith in the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. This begins the process of life change. The rest of the Christian life is a sequence of becoming more and more like Christ, namely, sanctification. The Bible says this is in fact God's will for us. Both salvation and sanctification are evidences of God's grace in our lives and are appropriated by faith."
And.....
"Success for our church is not an attendance number, a large budget, or recognition..."
A wholehearted AMEN!!
Thanks for sharing.
Posted by
heather young |
11:40 PM