Well, It’s been awhile since my last post and A LOT has changed over the last six months. First let me say that I am completely in awe of God. Literally watching Him move in front of me. It’s always amazing to be a part of what God is doing.
About six months ago, I had to make one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make. It didn’t only effect me and my family, but very close friends as well. It’s never easy to make life changing decisions especially when you (me) have no plan for what that entails. The only thing you know is that it’s a necessity because of circumstances. I have always hated situations dictating my decision making. I like to feel (or at least the illusion) that I’m in control.
So below is a “Watch God Work” thing.
aka “listening with your heart open” thing.
Six months ago I stepped down as music director at ALC. This was seriously one of the hardest moments in my life. I truly loved every person that I worked with and I know God had called my family there. This was a time of some of the greatest growth I have had in my life. Not just spiritually, but as a leader, musician, and most importantly as a father and husband. I couldn’t have asked for a better situation. I was working with one of my best friends Nate and on top of that I was working with some of the best musicians around Baltimore. I really had everything that a person in my position could ask for. Which is why when Meredith and I made the decision to move back to Florida because of circumstances out of anyones control I felt a bit defeated. It’s not true of course. God knew all along what was happening.
When Meredith and I made the final decision to move back to Florida we also made another decision. What church we were going to go to. This decision took almost no effort. We had visited Shoreline a few times before we moved to Baltimore and knew that we really liked how much everyone is like a family and welcomes you without question. Just as you are... you might say “sincere acceptance”. Shoreline is a place for those who don’t belong, or those who don’t know what to believe. There is no expectation other than be who you are and we will love you for it. This journey is meant to be walked together not alone. As I have heard Eric the “Head Honcho” say many times “No Perfect People Allowed”.
When we first arrived back in Florida Meredith and I knew we needed to get plugged in right away. First things first, Music! The first Sunday of every month Shoreline has a lunch where you can go to learn more about the church. There I met Brian the creative arts director. It just so happened that the seat that was open was right by him. As we began to talk I told him I was a musician/MD in Baltimore and that Meredith and I had just moved back and I would love to get involved at Shoreline. Im sure his first thought was “not another one of those guys” you know the ones who say “I'm good at such and such”, but really it’s only ever been there mother who has told them they are good. Thats what moms are for right... by the way, thanks mom for encouraging me and showing me my first chord on the guitar. It was a “C” I believe. Anyways that meeting started a ball rolling that I couldn’t have ever seen coming. Not long after that I had an audition. I was super nervous, but made it through without to many bumps and bruises. Thank you Dan, Paisha, and Esther for being so awesome! Not long after I had joined the team Brian had called to have coffee. We hadn’t had the opportunity to really connect outside of music so I took him up on it. During our conversation I had one of those moments when something changes, but you don’t know what. When I got home and talked to Meredith I told her "God is doing something I just don’t know what". I found out later Brian was having a similar moment. Here is his blog post about what God is doing in his life.
Fast forward a few weeks and I am having a meeting with Eric the “Head Honcho” and discussing that there may be a possibility of coming on staff part time to help with the music since we are about to launch a second campus in another city "Fort Walton Beach" and the music team will be stretched. When he told me that I tried to act cool and calm, but come on, how can anyone have an opportunity like that and not jump out of their skin! So I did my best at playing it cool meanwhile Meredith and I had actually had this conversation just before this meeting. It seems that the moment back when Brian and I had coffee was God preparing Meredith and I to join the Shoreline family in a greater capacity.
From that conversation many more where had and while we are still in the early to mid stages of this transition It is finally official that I now have the honor of serving the great artist at Shoreline as music director over both campuses and leading at the Destin campus. The arts at Shoreline are second to none and I am completely humbled by the faith they have placed in me to continue the excellence that Shoreline is known for.
I look forward with excitement to what God has for Shoreline and the arts in particular.
Aaron
