My Transition [Updated]

To the Oakbrook Church family,

ANNOUNCEMENT
After much prayer, discussion, and contemplation I want to inform you that I have made a decision to seek other career opportunities, and to step down from my position as the Technical Director of Oakbrook Church.

WHY I’M LEAVING
Over the past several months, there have been dozens of discussions within my department, and in higher levels of leadership at the church about the current structure, future strategy, and leadership needs of the technical department. One of the things that has been pretty clear to all involved is that we are moving into a new era which looks and functions very different than it has in the past. The kinds of words dominating those discussions are these: mentoring, shepherding, people development, pastoring, reproducing yourself, handing off pieces of ministry, recruiting and building our volunteer base, team building, team development, and replicating teams.

This is in stark contrast to the paradigm in existence when I was brought back (after nearly 4 years) to the Oakbrook staff in 2002. At that time, production execution and excellence were the top priorities. We were beginning a new video production department, we revamped our web presence, we were just beginning a new marketing and branding push, and then the biggest project of all – we were building a new building which needed A/V/L (audio/video/lighting) system design guidance and knowledge. I was a perfect fit for that time and place, but it is obvious to me now Oakbrook’s needs have changed and the staffing needs to change with it. If you know me at all, you would know that those “discussion words” listed in the paragraph above would not be in my list of top gifts. The words describing my gifts would be more along the lines of: production, task, project, strategy, specialist, designer, mixer, producer, editor, systems guy, etc.

So It has become very clear in the last few weeks that it is time for me to move on to another challenge. My close circle of advisers and mentors is in agreement with this decision (including my wife, Mandy, whose discernment I have learned to trust implicitly.) As I have begun to share my story with others, including some members of the staff, my small group, and some team members I have been amazed at the response. Nearly everyone has said something to the effect of, “It makes me sad, but it does sound like its the right thing to do and that God is definitely doing something in this.”

TIMETABLE
My last day of work will be Sunday, January 31st. The leadership at Oakbrook is giving me unbelievable support during this time. They have really taken good care of me and my family – emotionally, spiritually, and financially. I have always had the utmost confidence in the leadership at Oakbrook and I still do. Mark and Morgan, in particular, have been among the best role models of Christian leadership to me, and I consider them some of my very best friends. We have had some tearful times along this journey as we’ve discussed it! I hope you realize how blessed the Oakbrook family is to have the authentic, humble, and gifted servants God has chosen to lead us.

WHAT NOW?
I’ve applied for several positions in the Nashville, TN area. My wife and I have always been attracted to that area and we are feeling a pull to explore that. I have family and friends there, and we really love the culture and environment there. Also, while I want to remain open to where God leads, I’m not really seeking other church jobs. I have been passionately involved in ministry at Oakbrook since 1990 and it would be really hard for me to abruptly change to another church and for it not to feel weird. (Plus, I am skeptical that I could find another church with the DNA, authenticity, and great leadership that I have fallen in love with at Oakbrook!) So I think I will see what it’s like to be a volunteer for a while. But who knows what the future holds?

HOW CAN YOU HELP?
Be on the lookout for opportunities for me! Do you know someone of influence in the Nashville TN area? I’d be happy to point you to my resume, portfolio, and other resources to share with others. I would also ask for your prayers during this time. As you can imagine there is a lot of insecurity and anxiety that accompanies a decision like this.

CONTACT
You can contact me with questions, comments, and job leads via email jermbass@sbcglobal.net, or snail mail at 3717 Oakhurst Dr, Kokomo IN 46902. Please also feel free to ask questions of Mark Malin, Morgan Young, or Jason Lee – we all arrived at this decision together and we are committed to being completely transparent about the process that brought us here, so that no one misunderstands.

With much love and gratitude for the past 19 years of ministry we’ve shared together,
Jeremy Carter

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