Goodbye, Catalyst

OMEGA
Today was my final Sunday serving as Lead Pastor of Catalyst.

Amber, Josiah, and I have gone as far as we can with our start-from-scratch church with the financial hand we were dealt during this four-year journey. 

Understand that there was no moral failure, hidden church politics, etc.  This was completely our private, personal decision and we understand it may come as a surprise to many. 

We have joyfully sacrificed over the past four years at great personal cost to our family and truly feel God is now releasing us toward a new season of ministry.


THE PERFECT FINANCIAL STORM
The honest bottom-line is that full-time fundraising eclipsed ministry advancement. 

Between the perfect financial storm of a dinosaur-killer economy and the young, largely 20-something demographics of our church start-up (i.e. 10% of nothing is still nothing), severe financial stressors now require the people of Catalyst to enter a confident new phase.


A NEW CHAPTER
To ensure our campus' continued mission, I recently approached a trusted church community to help navigate the coming days. 

Western Reserve Grace Church of nearby Macedonia, a visionary church that has strongly supported Catalyst since Day One, will bring the people and structures of Catalyst under their umbrella for a season of recalibration. 

The long-term plan is to launch a new campus in Stow/Kent on Easter 2010 with strong financial backing coupled with a renewed core team.  The vision of reaching the unchurched has not changed and the passion for impacting Ohio young adults continues!


THE FUTURE
As for Amber, Josiah, and myself, we will do everything we can to ensure this transition is successful.  Having shared this news today with everyone at Catalyst during what was our final worship service together, I know without a doubt that our community will make a smooth transition into Saturday night worship for this coming season.

In the meantime, blogging may slow so that I can concentrate on ensuring a strong future for our community.  I appreciate your prayers for our people as this chapter of Catalyst comes to an end and a new journey as a campus of Western Reserve begins.  I will continue speaking at youth/young adult events and certainly welcome ministry position opportunities nationwide as my family seeks God's leading in our next season of ministry.  

Comments

[jason salamun]

Jon -

As someone who has a similar church demographic as you, I understand your circumstances.

I have such enormous respect for you and what you've done in Kent. You've inspired me bro and I'm excited to see what God has in store for you and your family. No doubt wherever you land will be better for it.

You're in my prayers and look forward to see what's on the horizon my friend.

Grace and peace,

Jason Salamun
projectchurch.net

[christina hazel]

Dear Jonathan,

I want to thank you for sharing your heart so honestly yesterday, and wanted to thank you especially for being so open.

I also wanted to take an an opportunity to thank you for this year, despite everything this year was a year of healing and growth for me, after experiencing some really intense and somewhat hurtful experiences in the past few years from different church experiences, I really needed a place where I felt safe and didn't feel fear of being judged. I grew a lot this year and am now to the point where I am ready to trust churches again, knowing that churches are imperfect because they are comprised of people, and people are imperfect, and even though pain may come, God never changes and is not the source of pain.

Thank you so much for your time and tireless commitment, it has not gone unnoticed!!

Blessings to you and your family,
Christina

[Val Adkins]

Jon and Amber

Thanks for taking the time and effort to plan for our transition to Western Reserve. It would have been so easy to just walk away...

When Amber shared the pain of giving up Catalyst like giving up her baby, I couldn't help but think of how this mirrors Hanna giving Samuel back to God. What an ultimate sacrifice!

We've enjoyed serving with you and are excited about the days ahead to see what God will do.

Thanks for all you've done.

Greg and Val

[Andy Wirt]

Jonathan,
Thanks for the update the other day on how to pray for you guys. I will pray for your family, your people, WRGC transition with Catalyst, etc.

I'm sorry for all the emotions you must be going through. I know you guys poured everything you had and more into this journey and so much good work was done, but not the result you hoped for, I'm sure. I'm praying that Jesus will be real to you in new ways in the season of searching for your next steps. I'm praying for an outlet for your amazing creativity and passion for relevance.

Have no idea what it would be- but if I can be of any help or encouragement, let me know. That's not empty words...let me know if there is something I can do.

[Brad]

Hey Jonathan,

I've been inspired many times these past four years by you and Amber, your courage and faith, your clear vision and joy-filled sacrifice. I know your efforts will continue to echo long after this transition is complete.

I'm praying for you today. Please let me know if there's anything else I can do to serve.

[tony sheng]

hey jonathan,

been following you on and off for a number of years and have always been inspired by your leadership. congrats and hoping the transition and the next step go great!

[Dan Huie]

Jon!

Thanks for serving the church faithfully over the last few years. After meeting you this past week, I know that you are following God's plan for your life and that He will use you in many lives to come!

Hope to see you soon! August 12th at Musica!

Best
Dan Huie