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family

The kid can bowl

Posted on April 27, 2011 by jon in family, life | Leave a comment

He gets it from his dad. What can I say…

The Time Has Come

Posted on March 7, 2011 by jon in church, family, life | 3 Comments

I have to admit – the last few months haven’t been “smooth sailing.”

My family and I have been wrestling with a decision that has proven to be God-ordained, yet extremely difficult. After roughly a year or so of praying, seeking, and listening, I have made the decision to follow God’s call, in which I’m completely confident.

Starting March 27th, 2011, I will be starting a new, full-time job outside of the church, and I will be the new Worship Arts Pastor at Vertical Church in Lumberton. Consequently, my family and I will be leaving First Presbyterian Church, where I’ve been since I was born, and where I’ve served on staff for nearly 5 years.

Before I go any further with this, I need to make it completely and perfectly known that I am not mad at anyone from FPC. I’m not upset with anyone. This is a case of God clearly calling me to a place, while simultaneously clearly calling me away from a place. I have heard God’s call loud and clear, and in obedience have made the decision to follow.

My ministry at FPC has been amazing. I’ve led a total of 13 youth retreats and mission trips, been youth leader to nearly 100 teenagers, led music for countless children and adults, and led worship at FPC’s contemporary service. I’ve made lots of friends within the church, and grown immensely closer to God through the ministry of the church.

This past week, I fasted from all food completely, in an attempt to “decrease, that He might increase.” God increased in a big way, and made very clear to me His intentions. The last 24 hours have been rough, as I’ve had to break this news to many people who are very close to me and my ministry through FPC. This is a decision that has caused many tears, much of which have been on the part of my wife and I. I’ll certainly miss those people to whom I minister at FPC, but I know God’s call is sure for me at Vertical.

So, thank you to everyone at First Presbyterian Church for the love, care, and nurture you’ve shown me and my family. I will certainly remember you in prayer, and I hope you’ll do the same for my family.

In the coming weeks, I’ll write more about this prior week, including my fasting journal, intense Bible reading, and more about my relationship with Vertical and the pastors there.

I’ll finish this up with a copy of the letter I read to the Session at First Presbyterian yesterday morning:

To the Session of First Presbyterian Church of Lumberton:

This letter is my personal notice to you that I will be resigning as Director of Youth Ministries and Assistant Music Director. With your blessing, I will conclude my ministry at First Presbyterian Church on Sunday, March 20th, after the 11:00am worship service.

My family and I have prayed and struggled over this decision for quite some time, but are confident in God’s call to us to other opportunities. My entire family will miss First Presbyterian Church dearly, as it has been the church home of my children and I since birth, and of my wife for nearly ten years.

I will continue to pray for the leadership and congregation of First Presbyterian Church, that it may continue to grow and bear much fruit in accordance with God’s will. It is my prayer that this congregation would continue to seek God’s kingdom and righteous will above all else, that it may continue to prosper and serve faithfully in the life of our community and around the world. I faithfully believe that great things are on the horizon for God’s church here at First Presbyterian.

I offer my heartfelt gratitude for all that this church has meant to me over the years. Through your generosity, grace, and support, I have grown as a person, as a husband and father, a leader, a student, and as a child of God. My wife and children have been continually blessed and nurtured by their experiences here as well.

During this time, I ask that you would please pray for my family as we embark on a new road following God’s call upon our lives.

I would consider it an honor to serve the church in any way I can, as you search for a replacement for my position. Please do not hesitate to call me if I can further help with the transition process.

Under His Mercy,
Jon Lloyd

A letter to my kids on Valentine’s Day

Posted on February 14, 2011 by jon in family, life | 7 Comments

Dear Braden, Riley & Noah,

You all completely amaze me. I’m astounded, first off, that you exist in the first place. When I was a teenager I wondered what my kids would be like one day, but never could I have fathomed such beautiful, intelligent, loving children. Many times your mom and I have to fight the urge to pull out our hair because of something you’ve done, but in the end, everything that you do makes us love you more.

I look at each of you, and I have to admit – I’m a bit envious. I’ve caught myself watching you all fall asleep and entertaining the thought, “They don’t have a care in the world right now.” In this unpredictable world around us, your basic appreciation for living life in general is part of what makes you all so wonderful to me. So often your mom and I stress over things you know nothing about, and your carefree lifestyles keep us moving along.

Braden, I love the fact that you are always looking for new ways to learn new things. You are more intelligent than I ever dreamed a child of mine could be, and even though the kisses are getting more and more awkward for you each day I drop you off at school, I hope you’ll never forget how much I truly love you. You will always be my first-born child – the one that started it all. When you came into this world, our lives were forever changed. One of my favorite memories of you is watching you fall asleep for your nap. I loved watching your eyes slowly close as you drifted off to sleep. You’ve gone from our “bebe,” to “Babu,” to “Charlie,” to “Chuck,” but you’ll always be my Braden.

Riley-bug, your energy and enthusiasm for life is amazing. I always wondered what having a daughter would be like, but you completely shattered any notions I ever had. There’s something about having a girl that doesn’t remotely compare to anything. Believe it or not, you’ve actually taught me lots of things. First off, you gave me the skills necessary to create a successful ponytail. You helped me along as I struggled to pick out pajamas for you at the store. You made me realize that it takes longer to dry your hair than that of your brothers. I constantly have times when I think, in terror, about the day I’ll give you away at your wedding. I hope that, on that day, it will be just as easy for you run to me in a panic and say, “Daddy, you forgot to give me a kiss.”

Noah, bottom line: you are tough as nails. With your brother and sister around, things never really go the way you’d like them to go. I do know one thing, though – you are the heartbeat that keeps the three of you kids together. You are such a carefree little boy, and I wish I was able to be that way. Your infectious laugh, your cute-as-a-button dimples, and your unique brown eyes all make me so eager to see the person you’ll be when you grow up. I know at times your attachment to your mom and I (I’ll admit, mostly your mom) can be a bit exhausting, but in the end, I know there will come a day when that iron grip will weaken, and I’ll wish for these days again. Whatever the future holds, you’ll always be Dude to me.

You guys are everything to me. From the time I first heard your heartbeats, I was in love with you. Watching you grow up is fascinating, exhilarating, hilarious, super fun, but also terrifying. However, what continues to amaze me is that God is walking with each of you, hand-in-hand. I can see my Savior in your eyes, whether blue or brown. :)

As I struggle to continue writing through the clouds of tears, I want you to know that whatever may come our way, your Dad loves each one of you more than anything on earth, and I can barely contain my excitement over the men and woman I know you’ll become.

Happy Valentine’s Day, kiddos. I heart you.

Love,
Daddy

A birthday to remember

Posted on July 19, 2010 by jon in Events, family, random thoughts, retreats and trips | Leave a comment

I’m writing this from the lobby of Assembly Inn in beautiful Montreat, NC. Just had to tell you about what happened last night. About 11pm, I was making rounds to make sure everyone was in bed, and subsequently locked my room key in my room. I called the main office for another, but they told me that I’d have to walk across the Montreat campus to get it.

One of our high school guys accompanied me on the journey. After hiking up and down there and back, I got up to our floor only to realize that the lights in the hall were off. I figured everyone was asleep. Then, the lights came on and our entire group was out in the hallway with tins of balloons, streamers, etc, with gifts and cards for my birthday.

I was extremely surprised! I was a bit bummed that I wouldn’t be able to spend my birthday at home with the family this year, but this was the next best thing. Apparently, my wife was in on it, as there were gifts from here as well.

I’m very blessed to have such an amazing group of people that surround me. Last night was great – and it wasn’t even my birthday yet!

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