I plan to pass the baton to Matt Sweet as Rock the World's new Executive Director at our 21st Birthday Party the evening of August 6th. There are several reasons I am doing this now:
- Since Rock the World actually multiplies young Christian leaders, handing over the reigns to one of our younger leaders before I hit 60 in September may be the best way to ensure that Rock the World will always mean business about our mission! If I continue to serve as Executive Director, my tenure begins to undermine what we say we do. It's far more fitting for me to willingly submit to the leadership of a younger Executive Director.
- I think we need an Executive Director who is native to the cultural landscape of the digital age instead of one like me who can function in digital culture, but I do so under emulation.
- I believe people whose lives have been changed through Rock the World and are now in their 20's and 30's would be far more likely to give financially -- and get others to give -- if Rock the World were led by someone more their age than mine. Many of them have confirmed that giving to Rock the World feels like a role reversal, kind of like supporting your own parents. Having a younger Director will create an opportunity for their support to rise up and solidify behind that new Director - which I believe God will move them to do.
My future role is yet to be determined. "Plan A" is for me to take a sabbatical from mid-August until the end of the year, during which time I anticipate the Lord will direct the new Executive Director and me about whether my role will be as a consultant, a subordinate staff member, or simply a member of Rock the World’s far-flung “tribe”.
I am also resigning from Rock the World's Board on August 6th and do not intend to serve in that capacity again for at least 2 years. I do not want to give even an appearance of being in charge of my own successor. I don’t (and didn’t seek to) serve on the Search Committee. However, I’m not being utterly passive in this. For the last two years I polled most of Rock the World’s graduates for who they thought should fill the position. I also intend to join in the Board’s interview of the Search Committee’s chosen candidate and cast my vote as a Board member. Mostly I look forward eagerly to blessing and supporting whoever is selected by the Board.
The transition will happen at Rock the World’s 21st Birthday Celebration on August 6th. The party is at 7 pm in Cranberry Township, North of Pittsburgh. Please consider yourself invited! For exact details look here or email us or call our office at 724-513-0670.
Serving in this ministry for the last 20 years has been a source of profound blessing, especially enjoying the privilege of seeing thousands of young people changed by Jesus and getting to know and love some of the most amazing people imaginable. Please be assured that I will work with our board, staff, supporters and graduates to assure a positive transition at the helm, and over the coming years to bless the ongoing leadership of Rock the World.