Sunday, April 01, 2007

Evan Is Coming...


I can finally talk about it. Evan Meyer is coming to Antioch to be our next Senior Minister and I couldn't be more excited! One of my biggest concerns in leaving Antioch was who my replacement would be. Not that I'm all that and so hard to replace, but I care deeply about Antioch and I realize that the health of a church can rise and fall on whether they have somebody in the pulpit who loves Jesus and can preach the Word with power and relevance. Pick a good one and the future is bright. Pick a bad one and watch out. I've seen it and I just wanted the best for Antioch. Well...we got him.

Not only is Evan an avid reader of An Open Doerr, which has to make him a great guy, he is a great friend and someone I have looked up to in the ministry for years. He is a gifted preacher and one of those people you just love to be around...and he's a whole lot funnier than yours truly:)
I have to share how he came to be considered because it just goes to show how this entire transition has been a God thing. As soon as I began to feel in my heart that my season at Antioch was coming to a close, Evan came to mind as a replacement. But I shared nothing with any of my leaders.

As I later shared my departure with my staff, Kevin (my brother-in-law and our Minister of Worship & Students) immediately had someone surface in his mind...but he didn't bother to tell me at first. Guess who it was? Evan Meyer.

A few weeks later I would share my leaving with my five elders. I would later find out that when I left the room they brought a name to the table for consideration. Guess who it was? Evan Meyer - having no idea what Kevin and I had already talked about.

I have to say, what started out as a "pie in the sky" idea has turned out to be yet another God thing. He has been so faithful to provide for this church in ways we could never have imagined. This is the reason I'm so excited about the future!

Welcome to Antioch Evan! I pray you and your family are half as blessed as I have been in serving this special Antioch family.

Note to Evan: We know you can post comments - you've proven that. But can you blog?

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Note to self: Buy "Blogging For Dummies" book.

Mike said...

i know that leaving antioch is not an easy step. but it has to be comforting to know that someone like evan is stepping it. i remember evan from school and always knew he was glorifying God with his words and actions. antioch will be blessed by him being there.

Anonymous said...

Well, I'm glad for Antioch and glad for Evan and Stacey and Addie. BUT, I'm really going to miss them. Evan's sermons are wonderful. We started going to Fairview in March of 04 and my family and I have been nothing but blessed by such an accomplished minister. Evan's heart is certainly in the right place and his vision for growing people in Christ is amazing. Love him and his family with all your hearts, we have and I know you will too.

Sheila

Blogging? Evan? cyber space isn't ready for that! But what a great picture!

Anonymous said...

WELCOME Evan, Stacey, and Addie!! Your name is the first one we thought of too! The congregation applauded Sunday when Gary Barnard said you were a U.K. fan!

Anonymous said...

Welcome to Antioch, Evan, Stacey and Addie...I will really miss you Chad...Have a safe and happy journey into the rest of your life...

Lonnie said...

you did tell evan about the mice right?

Anonymous said...

Forget the mice Lonnie, how bout getting the guy a booster seat for the office. I'm kidding Evan, I'm glad you're the man. Can't wait to have you on the softballt eam cause I was getting tired of hitting the ball to you everytime!

Butch

Anonymous said...

Booster seat...that's classic, Butch!

Anonymous said...

It's all love brother...get use to it. And how about Billy G??

Anonymous said...

Did u tell him about Lonnie and Kevin? Maybe you shouldn't just yet...let it be a surprise..But then again!!!! Evan, check your new office very carefully...Remember I warned you..

Lonnies, Mom

Anonymous said...

Well I could never convince your wife to join our Ladycat staff, but I am glad to be working with you at Antioch.

Stop by at McDonald's in Falmouth some Wednesday morning at 7:00 Am and join our D-Group.