Important Announcement (1.16.19)

Hello Common Ground Northeast Family,

In the book of Ecclesiastes, King Solomon wrote, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens…” As we walk through various seasons, we encounter moments that are filled with laughter, joy, confusion, and even sadness. Through it all, we are asked to trust God’s guidance and know He is working all things together for His purposes and His glory. Today, it is with sadness that we are announcing Ian Morley’s decision to resign as the Worship Pastor of Common Ground Northeast.

Over the last few years, Ian and Clarissa Morley have served Common Ground in a number of capacities and have meant so much to our community. Ian has served through pastoral changes, shifts in leadership, and an evolving job description. This has not always been easy to navigate for our entire community, and Ian has often been the only pastor on staff as we have walked through the changes. We are grateful for his consistency, leadership, and friendship along the way.

Since we were planted by the Midtown campus, our church has come to embrace a communal identity, values, and a sense of renewed vision that has also come with growing pains. In our conversations, Ian has stated his leaving is “not another transition in a long list of transitions in the life of Common Ground,” but is part of a single, years-long process of our community’s self-discovery and figuring out what kind of church we ought to be. Ian is excited and 100% supportive of Common Ground Northeast’s vision and ministry focus, but has been prayerfully considering what his role would look like as this vision continues to develop.  Ian felt he was the right person to get us going in the right direction but he believes leading through the next phase of life at Common Ground Northeast will require a different skill set.

Ian will be transitioning out of his leadership position over the next few weeks and will then be investing more time in his and Clarissa’s business Pots & Pans Pie Co. Ian will be truly missed as a vital member of our staff but we are confident that God has been, and always will be, the ultimate guide through the changing seasons.  Please pray for them during this time as they make decisions for their next steps in life, family, and ministry.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Erik and the Elders of Common Ground Northeast