April 18, 2011

Change

I am so blessed to be a part of a church that acts like the body of Christ. It has been so encouraging over the last several months to be given the flexibility to take care of Garren, without having to worry about whether or not I would have a job to come back to. Thank you Southbrook Church.

At the same time, there are pastoral duties that have been neglected. As the campus pastor for our Monroe campus, there are many needs that have been left on hold. There are people who need to be ministered to, both in our congregation and in the surrounding community. Due to my limited availability, this has been a challenge.

About a month ago, our lead pastor, Rob Singleton, approached me with an idea. You see, we have recently been pushing in our weekend services to get more people involved in missions. We have a trip to Peru, and several to Haiti this year. Pastor Rob asked me if I would possibly be interested in taking on the role of Outreach Pastor, primarily so I could coordinate these trips.

I grew up on the mission field. I am passionate about missions. I love seeing lives changed on these trips. The people we go to minister to are impacted. But at the same time, the people we send are impacted in a huge way. I love to see that happen. So for me to be given the opportunity to help facilitate that kind of life change is a no-brainer.

As Pastor Rob was trying to use his sales tactics to sell me on the idea, I had to cut him short. "Rob, I've often dreamed about being in a position like that - you don't have to convince me - where do I sign?" God has an amazing way of bringing His plan together, doesn't He?

Due to the shift in my position, it became even more necessary that we fill the campus pastor role at Monroe.  After much prayer and several discussions, we have asked one of our incredible lay-leaders, Jonathan Bareham, to step into the campus pastor role at Monroe as a volunteer.  Jonathan and Judith have been working in many ministries and capacities and will be shifting from all of those roles to focus on this new role.  They are currently life group leaders, marriage mentors, cafe workers, lead the weekly prayer team, teach the marriage classes, FIT members... and I think I'm forgetting a few other roles.  Needless to say, he is more than qualified and excited about the opportunity!

I have known Jonathan and Judith for several years, and I truly respect them, and I love their heart for ministry. I am looking forward to working side by side with them in Monroe.

I want you to know, Southbrook Monroe, that Nancy and I are not going anywhere. I will continue to office in Monroe. We will continue to be a part of the Monroe campus. That is our church home. You will see Jonathan and myself working together to help Monroe go to the next level. Though my role and priorities have changed, my love for Monroe has not.

Change is hard sometimes. There are adjustments, there are discomforts, there are new things and new ways of doing things. But change can be a good thing! I believe that God is continuing to use Garren's situation to accomplish His will, not only in my life, but in the life of our church and community. I am truly excited about these changes.

Please pray - for Jonathan and Judith as they dive into this new role. I know God is going to use them in a powerful way - and for Nancy and myself. Though this new role will allow me a lot of flexibility, it is also a very demanding role that deserves a lot of care and attention. I am looking forward to what God has for us in the coming months and years.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

What an amazing team God is bringing together in Monroe. The Janes family, the Bareham family and the amazing Southbrook Monroe family. Full steam ahead!!!!!

Carol Taylor

Kristi said...

Congrats to all!!

Anonymous said...

Blessed are those whose hope is in the Lord...continue....love & prayers,
Sandy & Russ

Anonymous said...

Pastor, don't sell yourself short. It has been a testament (and encouraging) to see how you and Nancy have endured and trusted God to lead you thru the challenges He has brought to you concerning Garren. You guys have continued pastoring to all of us thru this experience. You and your family's dedication and contributions to our campus will be long lasting as you guys successfully laid the foundation for the Barehams to continue our work. Change is always hard and to say that we will miss your leadership would be gross understatement. Thank you, my friend, for all you have done for not only our campus, but my family as well.

Steve

our little love nest said...

We love you and your family so much and are so grateful for your leadership! We will pray God's blessing on your new role in the pastoral team. So happy you will continue to be with us!! Change is definitely difficult but we believe God is in control and all will continue in the direction he desires.
~Don and Dee and all of our kiddos

Anonymous said...

Isn't it such an overwhelming reminder of God's amazing love for us when He just hands us those things that are so close to our hearts? We're so happy for you guys and very relieved and glad that you are not leaving us!

One of the things that impressed us so much at first about the Southbrook family is how genuine, loving and unconditionally accepting they are. We have no doubt that the Bareham's will be warmly welcomed and fit right in with our motley crew. (I mean that in the nicest way of course) ;)

Tyrone & Sarah Lee

The Malone's said...

Behind you all the way. Looking toward to the next chapter for your family. The Malone.

The Via Colony said...

You are going to do GREAT at this new position Janes family. So glad you found the perfect fit for the Monroe Campus role. Change is hard, but change is good. So excited for you. So thankful for Southbrook!

Diann said...

We know that you will serve God in an awesome way in your new role. Having seen your passion for missions through our trip to Peru, I can confidently say that I know you will be perfect as the Outreach Pastor. What a great God to find you a role that your passionate about and that allows you flexibility to continue rehabilitation with Garren.....what a perfect plan, boy God sure does have a knack for that!!!

JpJfsMama said...

I'm so excited for you and the Bareham's! What a cool solution, what a great God we serve. And I'm so glad that Garren is continuing to take such amazing steps in his recovery! Yea God!!

Leslie Waldron

Anonymous said...

Another beautiful day, Janes family...I hope you will find time to rest and enjoy it...So glad that God has every situation in control, all in His plan...an old hymn reads: "Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, just to take Him at His word...Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him, how I've proved Him, or'e and or'e...oh for grace to trust Him more..." Praying and loving, Sandy & Russ

Anonymous said...

It's nice to see you following the direction God is leading you and your family. It's even nicer knowing that you're excited about it and see it as a blessing. I think you've been an inspiration to many...not just at Monroe, but on this blog with all you've shared during Garren's injury and journey to recovery. You will continue to be a great minister for God, no matter what pastoral role you're in. I hope when things settle down, we have a chance to talk...missions have been weighing heavily on us, but everything we see says 18 and older. We'd like to take our children and partake as a family, but we're not sure what's out there for us. We will pray for you as you assume this lead and will pray for the Barehams as well. In for the long haul, The Sisk Family

wendypoovey said...

Geoffrey, we think this is just great! Congratulations.