What's Next for John
After spending the last twelve years leading a great church, New City Covenant Church, and preaching almost every week, I’m now moving on to the next phase of my ministry life. I’m creating this newsletter as a way for people to stay connected to me through my writing, to hear updates about ministry events I will offer, and to learn about ways to support my semi-itinerant work.
In my first newsletter, I want to share a rough sketch of what I’m hoping to do next. This is all a step of faith for me, so things could change. I share this sketch as an attempt to articulate how I plan to live into God’s call on my life for this next season. That call, as best as I can articulate is this:
My purpose is to help others live a life of listening.
I believe that God dwells within each of us, and we can live our whole lives from this place of listening and following this inner voice. I believe this leads us to our best possible life but it’s not easy to do. It’s not easy to listen and follow this voice. My sense of call is born from a desire to help others listen well.
I write these “next steps” as the concrete embodiment of how I believe I can help others live a life of listening. I write these with some hesitation, because I’m aware that they may change as I continue to practice listening and following myself. That said, here’s what I think will be happening:
Sabbatical: I will begin my sabbatical following my last day at New City. The purpose of this sabbatical isn’t primarily rest. I don’t feel burned out or all that tired. Rather, my purpose is to make space for prayer and discernment. It is also to set apart space to work on what I believe I am called to do in the next season of ministry.
Restoration Ministries: I have been working with Restoration Ministries over the past couple of years, more recently serving on the board, offering spiritual direction, and leading contemplative retreats. I believe the next season of my ministry life will be at Restoration Ministries where I can make my focus helping other people learn to live a life of listening through spiritual formation events and programs.
One-on-One Spiritual Direction: I will continue to meet with people for one-on-one spiritual direction. This is a space set apart for prayerful listening. It’s a form of friendship or companionship. I sit with you and listen with you for the voice of the Holy Spirit in your life. If you’re interested in this experience, please email me or contact me through this Contact John form.
Newsletter: I hope to write a periodic newsletter on the spiritual life here on Substack. I’m not sure how regular this will be. But I have loved preaching, and I know I will need an outlet to share my thoughts on the spiritual life. I will be guest preaching and teaching in various venues too, but this will be a place I can write for the benefit of others. My goal will be to make these newsletters edifying, insightful, and helpful for your spiritual life as you seek to live a life of listening to God.
If you’re interested in staying connected, this newsletter will be a good way for people to stay in touch, and I invite you to subscribe below. As my “next steps” evolve, I can share updates here. I won’t share your email with anyone else or spam you. Also, if you have a desire to support this new work I’m doing, please consider making a gift to Restoration Ministries.