Changes

"Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes..."

To quote David Bowie.

I've been on staff at PCC as the primary worship leader ever since I've started here, seven years ago. The church has grown, our team of musicians has grown.

And I've grown. Sideways, sometimes. But that counts, too. I've probably learned as much from my failures and mistakes as I have from things we'd say were successful.

When I came to PCC I was very broken, very unsure of myself in many ways. The one thing I knew was that worship was my lifeblood. I've been a musician all of my life. I am most myself when I am making music. The invitation to make music at PCC - and to carefully tend a leadership role - was a pivotal point in my life, not only professionally, but also spiritually and emotionally.

So I started singing and playing and leading. And growing.

And the church grew, too.

Growing things change.

It's been obvious that God has directed some incredibly talented people towards the creative arts team, and in order for them to grow and learn, we're shifting a few responsibilities around in our leadership structure. These changes won't make a huge difference in your Sunday morning experience, as you're accustomed to seeing these folks on stage already; but I thought I'd make an official introduction to you.

Matthew O'Donnell has been at PCC for about 18 months. He came with his family, started making music with us and basically never stopped. Matthew is talented, passionate and loves God. He has a unique mix of intelligence, musical ability and leadership gifting that presented us with an obvious responsibility: To help him grow and learn to use those gifts here at his home church. That's what we're doing. I'm glad to share the news that Matthew is the new Worship Coordinator at the Powhatan Campus.

Matt O'Rear came to PCC in the spring of 2012.  Matt and his family worshiped at the Westchester Campus for several months; we had a chance meeting at a local restaurant. Sammy introduced Matt to Lindsay and I and mentioned that he played music. We invited him to come play for us right then and there; he got directions, grabbed a guitar and came to the Powhatan Campus and played for us. Matt's background includes music business studies at NYU,  music production and engineering studies at Berklee College of Music and church music at Southeastern University. He loves God and is passionate about musical worship. Matt will be the Worship Coordinator at the Westchester Campus.

And although she's not named "Matthew", Laura Krzyston has joined the PCC staff as well. You might recall a blog post introducing Laura as our Artist In Residence - it's been wonderful to have her on board as part of our creative team. She's written some amazing songs and continued to grow as a part of our community, working with our musicians as well as student ministry. Laura feels strongly that God has called her to travel, but for this current season she is responding to a strong tug towards Fork Union. She will partner with Chauncey Starkey to build a team of musicians at Fork Union, and plans to be part of that community as a resident. Laura holds a degree in music from VCU, has a passionate love for God and is committed to the work of the local church.

I am thrilled to see these three talented individuals step out to invest their time, talent and resources in the work that God is doing in and through PCC. We are better for their presence among us, and as they continue to grow as leaders we will benefit from their imprint on our church. Nothing makes me prouder than to stand in the back of the room and worship under their leadership!

And that's what I'll be doing...on some days. Matt, Matthew and Laura will carry a large part of the scheduling and rehearsing for weekend services, and they'll be on the platform leading consistently. I'm still part of the worship team, and I'll still  play and sing - but, a lot of my energy will now be focused on equipping and encouraging these new leaders and helping them to be successful. I'll continue to lead our programming team as the Creative Director and serve on our senior leadership team as we develop strategy and systems for growth.

My friend Walter pointed out that I have a strong maternal streak; I want to protect people in our ministry. I want to see them soar, too. As I grow older, I am beginning to understand that this maternal instinct is a part of my leadership style. It might not be a good fit for a Fortune 500 company, but it's part of the unique wiring that God gave me. I think it's a good fit for His people, too.

I'm glad for it.

I hope you'll welcome Matthew, Matt and Laura - and I hope you'll prayerfully support and encourage all the leaders of PCC as we move into a new, exciting year of change!