What has going to Southpoint done for you?
It gives us a church family. We loved new church planting and getting to know people on a broader base, but when it comes down to it, you need a church family. We’re just so happy that we came here. There are people who are concerned for the lost. We’re a church of small groups, a church of relationships.

How did you handle the transition of ministries—wasn’t it painful to leave a ministry you loved?
No. Although we loved that ministry, we knew it was time for a younger person to step up. We knew it was time to leave. I helped search for my successor. He worked with me for a year and then I came to Southpoint. Since then he has left the position and is going back into located ministry, and Steve Larson, a native Michiganian, is the present director.

Is it difficult for a “seasoned” minister report to a younger guy?
Under my leadership with NCCE, Brett Kays moved to Michigan to start the Southpoint Church. Brett and I have always gotten along well together, and I knew coming in that it would work. We defined both positions before I came to Southpoint. I oversee all the ministry staff, except Brett. It’s good in a church like this to have defined roles. He does his ministry and I report to him, and it’s worked out well.

So defining roles is key?
Yes. To know your place. I’m at a point in life where I don’t need to run things. It’s about what’s best for the Lord’s kingdom.

What’s the difference between ministering in the local church and a parachurch?
For the first time in many years I’m dealing on the frontline level with people in evangelism. According to the Christian Standard (April 15, 2007), Southpoint is the fastest-growing church, percentagewise, in our brotherhood. I’m talking to people about Christ on a daily basis. In the parachurch you’re often dealing with fund-raising and special events instead of dealing with the souls of people. In the church you gravitate to people and build relationships.

Is Southpoint primarily a church of young families?
That’s our target. Our teen and kids programs are mobbed with kids. We’re at the point where we’re running out of classrooms. We have a good mix. We have families that are our age, but most families fit the younger age.

How do you stay fresh/young in your ministry perspective?
We’re always doing things to keep ourselves sharp, on the edge. The pastors and key staff do a lot of reading together. We keep fresh with ideas from books. Right now there are two books we’re working on: Go Big by Bill Easum and Bil Cornelius and Simple Church by Thom Rainer and Eric Geiger. And we’re always looking at churches that are ahead of us. We can’t see any reason to reinvent the wheel. Our success lies a lot in looking ahead of us at other churches. We go to a lot of conferences together, too.

How do you relate to younger staff? As a father? An elder statesman?
I think it’s both, depending on the situation. They show respect, but they’re not afraid to come in and talk about issues that affect their ministry or might be bothering them.

What are some key roles in ministry that older ministers can look toward?
I think the key is to look to where you’re gifted. It will change. I’ve been strong in administration, and while a lot of my job is administration, being an encourager has become a big part of my job. We have 30-year-old staff members here who need encouragement and examples of building a strong marriage. Older people can be the examples to the younger ones to show them what it should be like.

What lifelong learnings have been instrumental in your ministry now?
Since I’ve been a Christian it’s been getting into God’s Word and praying. It’s just such an important part of my life that I won’t leave home without it.

And I don’t know that it’s a “learning,” but my wife Mikie’s support is key. Any time we have made a decision that would affect our lifestyle, she’s always right there with me. Sometimes she’s out ahead of me. When I resigned my job to go to school—with a wife and four kids—she was right there with me. I think it’s key to have that spousal support.