Episode 237 - When Pastors Move - Jeff & Jonny's Story

There were three full time staff at Jeff & Jonny's church in Orange City, IA as of the middle of May, but by the end of August, all three will have moved on to other ministries. That's right - Jeff and Jonny have broken up!

Well, at least in terms of local church ministry - but NOT with 200churches! We have carried on as normal for the past nine months or so while all around us the ministry transitional winds were blowing. We've been able to weather the storms of change and podcasting at the same time, and until episode 237, you haven't known.

To be clear, our transitions are all very positive. Dover Church is a wonderful church, and we've been blessed to be a part of it for many years. God has been leading us, one at a time, and independently of each other, to other places. Jonny is already in Des Moines, IA as a campus pastor at The Bridge location of Meredith Drive Reformed Church. Lois, our admin assistant and Director of Worship Ministries, is on her way to a company in Minneapolis MN in about 3 weeks. And Jeff will be serving at Community Heights Alliance Church in Newton, IA as of September 1, 2017.

It's a scary but exciting time for our Orange City church as they seek new leadership and new staff. Dover is 73 years young and will be just fine. The people at Dover are faith-filled and God will continue to build his Kingdom through their ministry, we hope until Jesus comes!

Jonny and I are both going to be in churches slightly bigger than "200churches". Both are over 500. (Jonny will claim to still be in a "200church" by our old definition, but both campuses are over 500, so don't believe him!) Many people have surprised us by asking if we will still be qualified to host the "200churches Podcast"! Honestly, this has surprised us! We live and breath the opportunities to encourage and build up small church pastors - and that will not change!

All along, for almost five years now, we have not criticized large churches or mega churches. But instead our goal has been to CHAMPION SMALL CHURCHES and, champion small church pastors! We will continue to do that, because we will believe, until things change, that way too many leaders and pastors of "normal" and "ordinary" sized churches don't get the credit or encouragement they deserve - and we will continue to move both their way! 

God moved us, both... and Lois too! But our mission with 200churches will continue to grow and strengthen - as it has now for 237 Wednesdays in a row. 

So, here's our story...