Transitions are tough because that means change is coming and it’s inevitable. Let me take you on a journey of some changes I’ve made so far at my church—River Valley Church: We’ve simplified ministry. We are a large church and as a children’s ministry were trying to do too much. We have restructured what our…
So, it’s been a little over a month that I’ve been in my new home state of Minnesota and the journey, well, it’s a journey. Personal side… Every transition creates tension. In our case I feel like of all our transitions this has been a very relatively smooth one. Our oldest daughter, who’s 10 years…
Church life… I’m really enjoying the staff and team at River Valley. I’m not sure I’ve been around this large of staff who’ve been so willing to be flexible and accepting of changes. Granted, I haven’t done any huge changes yet and that’s wisdom—a little wink, wink to those who think they know everything and…
Well, what a whirlwind I’ve been on the past couple months. I went from “You couldn’t pay me enough to move to Minnesota!” in February to being the Family Life Pastor of River Valley Church in Apple Valley, MN. Note to self: Stop saying “never” because God seems to like that word. I think he…
When leading a ministry that needs to be turned around you must be ready for attacks. Let’s face it, I wish it were as easy as Joshua’s transition. I wish you could stand in front of your volunteers, staff and team and shout, “Pastor John, my servant is dead!” and move on with the plan…
I have been through a couple transitions during my short working life. Through every transition I always wonder if what I did was good and lasting. One of the things I look for is if my successor continues on some of the programs I put in motion. I realize that everyone is different and we…
For the second time I’ve made a major transition in ministry, which brought me from Las Vegas to Corona, CA. One of the things that people rarely talk about and they don’t teach in college is what to do with volunteers who are currently serving. In a perfect world, every volunteer would line up behind…
I wanted to keep you updated on my transition from Las Vegas to Corona, CA… I have frequent lunches with my pastor. When I got here I was asked to do something that is a pretty big undertaking being new to a church and not having the infrastructure in place to support it. I came…
It’s been a little while since I’ve ranted. As many of you know I have transitioned from The Church at South Las Vegas to South Hills Church in Corona, CA. Let me start by saying that South Hills is an amazing church and I’m super excited to be here. And, yes, I will probably blog…
Some may know already, but many do not. December 5th will be my last weekend at The Church at South Las Vegas. A few months ago I felt an urging by what I can only say was the Holy Spirit. It was confirmed through a couple circumstances and I now find my journey landing me…