I've been putting off this post for some time now. Many of you are likely already aware of the situation, but for everyone else, here's what has been going on in my world lately.
I found out in early October that Woodland would not be able to afford to keep me on as their technical director in 2010. The church had been forced to make drastic budget cuts at all levels to be able to move responsibly into the new year. Fortunately my position will remain until the end of 2009, so I had a couple of months notice to job search while still earning income. This has been an enormous blessing.
I began sending out resumes and working my social networks, but more importantly, I began to ask God where he wanted me to be. I prayed that God would move me to a place where my gifts and talents would be utilized; where lives were being changed; a place where I would be stretched, and grown. I didn't place any boundaries or limits on these prayers, I didn't pray "God help me find a TD job within 50 miles of my address", or "God give me a TD job in south Florida"; I simply prayed "God send me", fully aware of the implications of this prayer. It has been exciting to pray this prayer over the past several months, and thinking about where it might lead me.
I am extremely thankful for my social networks, especially for the "Church Tech Directors Round Table" CTDRT guys, who have been incredibly supportive. Once I began to share my story with the social networks, I was surrounded by an overwhelming amount of support and prayer. Additionally, my friends and family have been awesome in supporting me and praying for me during this time. I know that we are not meant to go through these times and trials alone, that we are designed to need the support and encouragement of others. I can't tell you how many times in the past days people from my social networks, friends from church, etc have approached me and informed me that they have been praying for me. Not sure how I would have gotten through this time without so many people lifting me up.
My time at Woodland is drawing to a close. Monday will be my last day in the office. I'm taking a couple days off next week to use up my vacation time, then the office will be closed for Christmas and New Years. I'll still be around for services this weekend and next, as well as Christmas Eve services.
I am talking with a few different churches, and one opportunity in particular looks very promising. I'll post more about it if it becomes certain.
It has been very exciting to see God move through this situation over the past several months. It hasn't been a particularly pleasant time, although times of stretching rarely are. I've come to realize that I'm to learn to trust God with my finances in this time. That my daily provision comes from Him, and that it's more important to God that I trust Him than whether or not I actually have a job. I'm trying to embrace this time, and lean into Him as I wait to hear back from different organizations
As I reflect on the past 2.5 years at Woodland, I can't help but be thankful for the tremendous blessing that it has been. I've learned so much, and had so many positive experiences. It really has been a time of growth and stretching for me. I am thankful for the friendships formed with staff, volunteers and members. I'm thankful especially to have served with Keith Martin, the Worship Pastor, and my supervisor. He is a Godly man, and has been a great blessing to me in my life, and my ministry. I'm thankful for the time I've had to serve with him, and to learn from him.
I'm excited to see what the future holds, and what God has next for me.
