New Pastor in the House

Yesterday Jamin Carter announced that Mandy was going to become the next executive pastor at Christ City Church. I’m so happy for the church and for her. I know that she is going to do a great job. And I also love the twist in our story.

Mandy has been an elementary school music teacher for almost two decades, and while at times she’s thought about doing other things, she has always loved what she did. In early March, though, her school decided not to renew her contract. She was absolutely shocked. I should point out that they chose to do this with several other great teachers.

I too was shocked and sad, but I also felt an immediate confidence that this could end up being a good thing. Micah was finishing at New Hope this semester, and it could be good timing for Mandy to pursue some other things that she was passionate about.

A few days later I was meeting with Jamin Carter, the pastor at Christ City. I told him what had happened. He was very sorry to hear the news, but agreed with me that some organization was going to luck out getting her on their team. A week later he reached out to Mandy and asked if she would consider applying for the executive pastor position. Now that I think about it, this may have shocked her more than finding out she had been let go. But at the same time, the possibility excited her.

If you’ve read this blog or just know my story, you’ll know that I spent two decades in vocational ministry, several of those years training and and in various positions, and then twelve years as lead pastor of a church I had started. Who knew that three years after my major career change, Mandy would be doing the same, but now she would be the pastor in the family!

When we first started attending Christ City, we knew that the leadership wanted to transition from a complementarian view of leadership to an egalitarian one. Complementarians believe that the highest levels of leadership in a church are reserved for men. Egalitarians believe that leadership is based on gifting, and that gender doesn’t matter. Mandy and I have had this latter belief for quite awhile, and so it was important to us that this was being considered.

A couple of years ago Christ City officially made the switch, and for the first time invited women to serve at the highest level of leadership: elder. Major changes like this can be hard for folks, and quite a few people left. However, those who remained were grateful and excited.

This is a big next step for our church, and it’s one that I am very excited about. Mandy’s gifts and experience are tailor made for this kind of leadership.

I remember several years ago listening Shirley Raines speak at a conference. When she became president of the University of Memphis, her husband told her that he felt his new role was to carry her briefcase. I remember thinking that I’d probably say the same thing to Mandy one day. I saw that level of leadership in her. Over the years this has only increased. She makes things happen on a level I’ve rarely seen with anyone else. And while I greatly admire the job of teaching kids, I have at times felt that Mandy had some more things in her.

So as I wrap up this post, I want to say a few things publicly to my wife…

Mandy, I continue to be impressed with you. I love how our story has led us to this place, and I can’t wait to see what this next season holds for you. I am excited to see you get to lead and use your gifts in powerful and beautiful ways. I know that you are going to do an amazing job, and I know that Christ City is lucky to have you. I love you, I believe in you, and I will be right there to carry your briefcase wherever you go!