Equipping Leaders To Multiply

My New Journey

Through a God inspired moment in January (too long of a story to write about) Cindy and I sensed that God was up to something new in our lives.  We had no clue what it was but knew God was calling us to put ourselves in a fresh posture full surrender. 

Over the next few months God began to impress on my heart the following lesson:  Moving into the purpose for which God has designed me will include an ever increasing challenge that will be larger than what I am comfortable with and therefore will keep me always dependent upon Him.  So I knew God was getting ready to stretch me.

Back in February I read Tony Morgan’s post advertising the position of Chief Launch Officer for a new Church Planting Network that Brian Bloye at  Westridge  and a few other churches would be starting.  It sounded fascinating but I was very happy at Seacoast and wasn’t looking for a change, so I didn’t even consider applying.

Through a series of circumstances over the next couple of months it became evident that God may be leading me that direction.  So I sat down with Pastor Greg, told him what God had been doing and asked his blessing to investigate this opportunity. After he and Brian Bloye spoke on the phone I then went to Atlanta to meet with Brian and Tony to discuss this possibility.  It became evident in my heart that this was the new calling God had for my life. So I am very excited to announce that on July 19th I’ll be joining West Ridge Church in this effort to start the Launch Network, a church planting network of like-minded churches that understand the power of working together to accomplish a God sized vision.

So are you ready to be a part of a movement?  We want to hear from you. If you’re a church planter who is looking for a highly relational network of leaders you can learn and grow with, we want to hear your story.   If you’re a church that’s passionate about  planting healthy churches and investing in new movements of God, let’s talk. Or if you’re a business leader who is looking to invest in changing lives by planting churches overseas and expanding God’s Kingdom, I’d love to meet you.   To learn more about the Launch Network please fill out this brief form and we’ll get in touch with you.  Also you can check out Tony’s recent post that tells a little bit about West Ridge’s influence in church planting and other churches that will be a part of The Launch Network.

Seacoast is not an easy place to leave.  It’s a fresh, innovative, life-giving environment that allows you to operate in your areas of God given strengths and passion as a leader.  Pastor Greg is a humble, empowering leader who has supported me, challenged me, encouraged me and now, not surprisingly, graciously commissioning me to this new calling.  Over the next few days I will be posting some Leadership Lessons I’ve learned working at Seacoast Church.

Cindy and I will be making our move to Atlanta sometime during the week of July 12-16.  We would appreciate your prayers as we have a house to sell here in Charleston. 

(A really cool side note: Brian planted West Ridge Church on September 7, 1997, the same exact day I planted Carolina Forest Community Church in Myrtle Beach, SC.)


Reader Comments

  1. Will definitely be praying for you guys. Sounds like a great opportunity and I’m sure you’ll lead well there as well. Congrats!

  2. Mac, Im excited for you for sure! We will definitely miss you at Seacoast though. Thanks for being such a huge influence in my life during my beginnings at Seacoast. I am certainly a better leader because of your influence.

  3. Mac, so great to hear you’re with Westridge and others in Leading the Launch Network. I’m looking forward to meeting you when you get here. Praying for you and your family during the transition from Charleston to NW Atlanta and from Seacoast to Westridge leadership environments.

    God Bless,

    Brenton Lehman
    Church Planting Intern, Westridge Church

  4. Mac, So grateful to have had your leadership and influence at Seacoast. You have been an encouragement to me many times through your writing and teaching. Very excited to see God multiply the ministry through this next step for you and Cindy. We will miss you at Seacoast, and be excited to see the new developments that God leads you to.
    Joshua 1:9 “…Wherever you go.”

  5. Congratulations Mac! you’ll do great. I sent 6 people to this site today. Hope they contact you! There are tons of people dreaming who need someone to help fulfill the dream.

    Ron

  6. Congrats! I was just about to contact you about an opportunity helping to shape Next Gen Leaders but sounds like you might have your hands full for a while. 🙂

  7. What an awesome story. The Lord has been impressing me with a similar message. Have I ever done anything where I needed Him to step in and make it happen, or have I always done things in my own strength. I don’t know where that is leading us, I don’t sense a change in location, but just a next step here.
    On another note. What a kick being able to work with Tony! You guys are going to have a blast.
    Thank you for the post Mac!
    Blessings,
    Dave

  8. Mac,
    Cindy’s sweet note to us included this link. Then this week’s life group study Discerning the Voice of God was all about God’s challenging voice. Priscilla Shirer wrote,” When God speaks through His Spirit, His Word, and circumstances, I find that His message challenges me because His purposes are always higher than mine. When followed in obedience, His Word causes me to sep away from the comfort zone of my natural abilities and into the realm of His supernatural possiblities.” You are in an awesome place to be. We love you and are excited to continue to see God’s power and glory revealed in your life and in your family. We’ll miss you at Seacoast.

    Kay Sumner

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