Celebrating a gospel sending

NewSpring Family!

It is extremely difficult to write a “goodbye” letter to a group of people who have been such a massive part of your life for the better part of 20 years. Even if you are “new” to NewSpring Church, I consider you in this group. Sorry! You’re fam to me. 

But the good news is, this is not goodbye! In Acts 20, Paul is being sent off by a church community, and they’re all weeping because they know they will not see his face again. This is not that! You WILL see my face again. Matter of fact, I already have a few dates set to come back and teach—Gauntlet included!

I did, however, want to give you the quick story of how stepping off NewSpring staff all started.

In April, I got the chance to go to London for part of my sabbatical. (NewSpring staff are blessed with an extended break every seven years. It is a gift!) For those who don’t know, 12 years ago, I moved to London to serve with a church there for a year. I traveled back over my sabbatical to visit some friends. On the flight, I was reminiscing with the Lord about the adventure we went on all those years ago. As I got off the plane, I said to the Lord, “We had an adventure, didn’t we?” And I felt the Spirit say, “Would you like to go on another one?”

And so, I began a process of prayer on what that might look like, thinking that He would tell me clearly where we were going next, and then I would know it was time to move. But as time went on, and as I prayed with some leaders and friends, it became clear that this was going to be more of a call like Abraham, where God asked him to go “to a land I will tell you about.” (Genesis 12:1)

I am stepping off staff not extremely clear on “where” I am headed. I am not changing careers, let me be very clear. I feel as called and on fire to serve the big “C” Church as I ever have. I will be writing, preaching in different places, and personally coaching some people in ministry - I just don’t know exactly what all that means. I have no guarantee of paychecks coming up. I am not even sure where I will be living. But let me tell you what I DO know...

Even this step of faith is evidence of NewSpring’s legacy in my life. I can remember when I first started attending NewSpring, and I was just overwhelmed at how bold this place and its people were. I started when there was only one campus, the Anderson campus. I was just starting to serve as a greeter when the Greenville campus began. I can remember the vision was, “We don’t know exactly what this is going to look like, but we are going to Greenville.” I can remember just starting as an intern when the Florence campus launched, and again, the vision was, “We don’t know exactly what this is going to look like, but we are going to Florence.”

And now, stepping out into this new thing, whatever it is, the vision is the same that this church has planted in me, “I don’t know exactly what this is going to look like, but I am going to follow Jesus because THIS IS WHO HE MADE US TO BE and HE IS MY PRIZE!”

Over the last few weeks, I have been asking God if there was anything He may want to say to you through me. And the words that just kept rising to the surface in my mind, my heart, my spirit were “holy audacity”.

Audacity is “a willingness to take bold risks”. This is who we are, who we have always been. NewSpring is an AUDACIOUS church. And not just for the sake of being audacious, of making the crazy click-bait move. No, a Spirit-led, culture-marking, fun, and ADVENTUROUS holy audacity.

God may not be calling you to move, but He is absolutely calling us to remember who we are. It is impossible to make bold disciples (one of our values) without having a lived experience of walking in holy audacity.

So, my NewSpring family, with all of my heart and with every ounce of gratitude I can possibly communicate through an electronic letter floating between our screens— I bless you with what already belongs to you in Jesus Christ, an anointing that is to be marked by Holy Audacity. 

Men of NewSpring—wield holy audacity like John the Baptist. This is a generation of men LOOKING for men to guide them. NOW is your time: prepare the way of the Lord! You are like those working on the wall in Nehemiah - you have a weapon in one hand and a towel in the other (Nehemiah 4:17). Your service is your warfare...so...go to war.

Women of NewSpring—helpers of men—helpers like God. Allow CHRIST to clothe you in strength and dignity (Proverbs 31:25). HE can, and HE will empower your voice more than you ever thought possible. Prayer is your secret weapon. Psalm 68:11 shows that the Church needs its women—and you are a mighty host of women, indeed.

Remember—you’re made to be those who travel by way of the wilderness that’s been paved by a river in the desert (Isaiah 43:19)! You will never be satisfied with the well-worn roads of faith. You’re the ones who taught me that, after all.

I love you. I am for you. I am with you. Above all, fear the Lord more than anyone or anything else. GOD WITH WHO? God with us. Amen.

- Meredith