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* Learning from Leaders in Transition #2: Tally Wilgis
This week we're learning from church leaders in transition.
Tally Wilgis shares with us today about his experiences in New England church planting:
JON: Captivate the City - What led you toward Baltimore? How did you process this decision with God, your wife, and family?
TALLY: We've been blessed to be a part of three teams starting ministries. On two of those teams I filled the role of Student Pastor and most recently I was the Lead Pastor in a church start.
In March of 2008 I was approached by our denomination with an invitation to return home to Baltimore to start a church. They were doing a program called a Strategic Focus City where they invest heavily into certain cities (currently Baltimore and San Diego are focus areas). My wife and I were content. While we had the challenges of most church plants we also had the beach, a home and a young son in a great community. It was voted the #2 nicest place to raise a family (right behind Honolulu, HI) so as you may guess, returning home to a place usually ranked in the top 3 major cities in homicides wasn't really appealing.
As we prayed through it, however, we did feel that God was calling us to at least seek Him over this. We spent six months in prayer and conversation. We talked with friends and mentors. Ultimately we felt that God indeed was calling us back home to Baltimore.
My wife actually affirmed the call before I did. I felt that I heard from God but wasn't sure. She told me one day that she was ready and it was no looking back.
In March of 2008 I was approached by our denomination with an invitation to return home to Baltimore to start a church. They were doing a program called a Strategic Focus City where they invest heavily into certain cities (currently Baltimore and San Diego are focus areas). My wife and I were content. While we had the challenges of most church plants we also had the beach, a home and a young son in a great community. It was voted the #2 nicest place to raise a family (right behind Honolulu, HI) so as you may guess, returning home to a place usually ranked in the top 3 major cities in homicides wasn't really appealing.
As we prayed through it, however, we did feel that God was calling us to at least seek Him over this. We spent six months in prayer and conversation. We talked with friends and mentors. Ultimately we felt that God indeed was calling us back home to Baltimore.
My wife actually affirmed the call before I did. I felt that I heard from God but wasn't sure. She told me one day that she was ready and it was no looking back.
JON: During this transition toward Baltimore, what biblical character did you most identify with?
JON: How has God stretched you as a leader in transition?
TALLY: Nehemiah. We're returning to a city to rebuild it and bring God fame here. I am broken for the city as Nehemiah was broken.
JON: How has God stretched you as a leader in transition?
With all of these additional blessings comes the need for increased capacity and clarity of focus. God has stretched me by challenging me to think well beyond what my hands can touch and to dream bigger dreams and to accomplish through teams. I'm humbled by the type of stretching He's put me through.
JON: Very cool. Could you share with us what books/blogs are shaping you right now?
TALLY: Currently I'm reading Crazy Love by Francis Chan, Axiom by Bill Hybels and re-reading Don't Waste Your Life by John Piper.
The blog world has left me wanting with the advent of Twitter. A lot of guys have turned their blogs into advertising for their churches, but I'm digging Pastor Steven Furtick's stuff right now and following several friends on Twitter.
The blog world has left me wanting with the advent of Twitter. A lot of guys have turned their blogs into advertising for their churches, but I'm digging Pastor Steven Furtick's stuff right now and following several friends on Twitter.
JON: What are your top 2 prayer requests, and where can we send donations to help Captivate Church?
TALLY: Pray for my family that I will love and lead them as Jesus would have me to. I'm frustrated and cautious with what seems to be in my world an onslaught of affairs going on in the ministry circles I'm near. Please pray that nothing but Jesus comes before my affection for my wife.
Secondly you can pray for my team. They are working hard and I'm blessed to have them.
Thanks for asking... you can give online at TheBaltimoreProject.com.
Secondly you can pray for my team. They are working hard and I'm blessed to have them.
Thanks for asking... you can give online at TheBaltimoreProject.com.
* Learning from Leaders in Transition #1: Ben Arment
Kicking off this week's interview series with uber-blogger Ben Arment. He's a white-boarding, catalytic story-teller with his own posse of cowboys.
JON: Ben, you've just transitioned toward forming Story in Chicago this fall. Can you share with us how you processed this decision with God, your wife, and family?
BEN: The idea of God's story has been a huge part of my life since 7th grade when my teacher wrote the word "history" on the chalkboard and I accidentally read "his story." I've always dreamed of expanding people's spiritual imaginations so that the Gospel wouldn't be taken for granted.
Every job I've ever had has prepared me for starting this organization, from church planting to working at Catalyst Conference. God gave me the vision for it long before I could act on it. When I was ready to go for it, when I had acquired enough experience and expertise, my wife was completely on-board. We're both entrepreneurial by nature, so this wasn't a big decision for us. Don't get me wrong, we're white-knuckling this thing - we could fail gloriously. But we've never had more faith for anything in our lives.
JON: Who from the Bible did you most identify with during this transition in ministry?
BEN: Without a doubt, David. My years of working at an organization felt like a "cave experience" to me. My good Christian friends kept sending me notes with passages about David and how God was preparing him. All of the isolation, all of the waiting, and all of the training has stirred up great passion for my God-given vision. I'm ready to go slay some giants. =)
JON: Love it. So how has God stretched you as a leader during this transition?
JON: What books/blogs are shaping you right now?
BEN: Seth Godin's books, Jerry Falwell's book Building Dynamic Faith, and several bloggers: Michael Hyatt, Already Been Chewed and Anne Jackson.
JON: What are your top 2 prayer requests?
BEN: My top two prayer requests are:
1. For God to move mightily through Story - for leaders to become better communicators of the Gospel.
2. For my family's provision during this daring time of transition. We are living on daily bread these days.
2. For my family's provision during this daring time of transition. We are living on daily bread these days.
Phriday is for Photos | 08.07.09
Little Man Peeking Through.
Speaking at Momentum National Conference in Pittsburgh.
More at Flickr.com/photos/FollowJon.
