Moving to Nashville was a necessity. We needed to be in the thick of things as my career began to take off (we hope). I recorded an album over a 3 month time and those trips would've been miserable through the mountains of Tennessee in the winter. Plus, with doing songwriting like I am for other people, I need to be here in town.
And I'm gone. A lot. I just had a 3-week engagement come up in June that means that basically between now and the end of the year I will be home for a total of about 3 weeks. Seriously 3 weeks over an 7 month period. So, it's not like I will have many Sundays at home anyway.
But, man, I miss Seacoast.
Sarah and I were coming out of a very tough time in our lives when we found Seacoast. We fell in love with the church instantaneously and never looked back. I started leading worship within 3 weeks of being there and within 4 months, we were leading a small group...a group of people that became our best friends and accountability partners. And we left that to come up to Nashville. Because we needed to.
But second thoughts creep in. We miss our friends. We miss being involved. Life has changed so much and with the so many great things (like fulfilling a dream, making a healthy living, etc.), comes the sacrifices of leaving behind things we loved a great deal.
Returning to Greenville won't happen for a while. It can't. We bought a house, we have laid down roots, I'm getting cuts as a writer. We need to be here.
But we miss Seacoast.
21 comments:
hey chris. i wasn't a big fan when you were on AI but your new album sounds great and i'm a new convert. :-) i have your main blog on my RSS and have been following your posts but i don't comment mainly because, i guess, too many people already are posting. anyway, i'm a fellow Christian from the Philippines and I just wanted to say that I do understand where you're coming from. And given the world you move in, it really is important to get plugged in to a church. But we all know that God has His ways and I pray that pretty soon, He will bring you to a new church that both you and your wife can finally call home. Keep on singing, keep on creating. I'm sure God is glorified.
-karl-
This makes me really sad. If I've learned anything in life, it's that you have to make sacrifices. I can image it being hard to leave a place you've grown comfortable with only to have to find a new place after so long. If anything, take comfort in knowing that you and Sarah are most likely just as missed at Seacoast. Your friends and Seacoast will always be there to welcome you back, I'm sure of it. Maybe you will find a new place you can both enjoy but don't try looking for a replacement for Seacoast. Think of it as a place where you can remain close to God until you're able to hopefully someday go back to the place you both feel where you really belong.
I hope that helps.
It is right to miss your friends. In my life there have been times where it appears God gave me times to relax and grow in other areas sometimes before I was sent to boot camp. After all if you want to be a soldier for the Lord.... Maybe it was a time for me to work on the kids or my relationship with the wife or a time to help me grow and prepare as a person.
As a parent the one thing my kids and grandkids would say I never give to them is enough time. I remind them that that is one thing in my life that I don't have control over and neither do they....so we must use what time we are given as wisely as possible because the He who does control time gives us as much as he can to do what is needed.
Hmmm, Seacoast Nashville. Has a nice ring to it. Of course we'd have to find a worship leader...
Seacoast misses you too, Chris. Looking forward to seeing you at Charleston concert next Sunday.
Oh, it's so hard to leave friends behind. You know, sometimes you just have to jump in. My suggestion? Join up where Sarah feels comfortable. She'll have the opportunity to make friends while you're gone, and she'll be feeling at home there and able to help you get comfortable when you're home.
That's my two cents. Just don't try to compare churches. Just like people, they are all going to be different, and you none can compare right now to the way you felt about Seacost when you left, because they had become your family.
I'll be praying for you to find the spot for both of you. Risa
That must be a very difficult situation. I have been at my church my entire life (I'm actually a 3rd generation lifetime member there, my great-grandparents were there almost from the founding,) and though it has grown exponentially and changed in many ways since I was a child, I love it and can't imagine calling another church "home."
I'm sure Seacoast will always welcome you back, but for the time being, I agree with Risa that you should try to find a church that Sarah loves. When you are home, the fact that Sarah is comfortable there should go far towards ensuring you will like it as well.
I have to believe, like everything else, God will lead you to the Church you are meant to attend. Hang in there, and Risa has a pretty good idea. Sarah is likely to really need a church home while you are away.
Either way, God will lead you.
We miss you guys. You know you still have a home if you ever decide to come back to G'ville. Tell Sarah the the children's job is open for her!
Hi Chris for your eyes only........
Hi Glen I was wondering how long it will take for Chris Slighs single "Empty Me" to be played on your K'loves. I think he has been stuck at 19 on the ac charts for a while and I just haven't heard him although I put Klove on in the car everytime. Whats up?
and keep requesting that the dj’s play it.
Hi Randy,I have heard it on K-LOVE a couple of times.
You might want to go to www.klove.com and request it, or better yet, you can call 1-800-525-LOVE
Hi Randy
I have heard it on K-LOVE a couple of times.
You might want to go to www.klove.com and request it, or better yet, you can call 1-800-900-1300, and keep requesting that the dj’s play it.
Thanks,
Glenn
Glenn Goodwin
Regional Manager
-Kansas City area, Missouri, Iowa-
K-LOVE Radio & Air 1 Radio
Positive & Encouraging K-LOVE Radio | www.klove.com Listen Online!
The Positive Alternative Air 1 Radio | www.air1.com Listen Online!
=================================================
6721 W. 121st Street, Suite 100
Overland Park, KS 66209
913-663-9950 - Office
913-663-9956 - Fax
ggoodwin@emfbroadcasting.com
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From: randy rogers [mailto:rrogers2@kc.rr.com]
Sent: Sunday, April 27, 2008 8:34 AM
To: Glenn Goodwin
Subject: Chris Sligh's Empty Me ?
Thanks,
Glenn
Glenn Goodwin
Regional Manager
-Kansas City area, Missouri, Iowa-
K-LOVE Radio & Air 1 Radio
Positive & Encouraging K-LOVE Radio | www.klove.com Listen Online!
The Positive Alternative Air 1 Radio | www.air1.com Listen Online!
6721 W. 121st Street, Suite 100
Overland Park, KS 66209
913-663-9950 - Office
913-663-9956 - Fax
ggoodwin@emfbroadcasting.com
From: randy rogers [mailto:rrogers2@kc.rr.com]
Sent: Sunday, April 27, 2008 8:34 AM
To: Glenn Goodwin
Subject: Chris Sligh's Empty Me ?
I'm sure praying for ya'll during this transition period. I know with all that's going on it's hard for everything to gel in just the right way all at once.
I know the right place is out there for ya'll to find when it is time.
Thank you for the beautiful music and messages that you deliver in it!
Robyn
Sounds like great material for a song!! We miss you guys, and our old small group. We will pray that you guys find a church and that you stay the path while being gone so much! I know it is hard, believe me I know. It's too easy to walk the wrong way, and it can happen in the blink of an eye!!
We are in the same situation, about to uproot and leave. We know it is the right move but it is also scary. I think the key is to realize that you dont see the plants, much less the fruits for the first season you lay the roots or plant the seeds. We need the roots to grow strong for our foundation and much of that will happen below the surface of the soil.
Without solid roots, even a gentle breeze can blow you over.
ash =o)
I've been thinking about this, and something else to remember is, with your travel schedule, your church relationships are going to be different no matter where you are. When you started at Seacoast you were there most all the time I'm assuming (with the exception of your AI run). You had a chance to develop those relationships before you had to hit the road. So, you are going to have to be more patient, as those friendships will take longer to develop since your time there will be limited while you're touring.
And what I was telling my daughter when she was visiting churches closer to where she lives now in west LR--you can't just sit in the service and expect to feel a part of the group. You have to dive in, join a class, become part of a small group. IMHO
That's it. I hope I'm not too preachy this morning. Take care. Risa
Hi Chris,
I'm in a similar boat. Went to the Greater Boston Vineyard -- a vibrant, fun loving church and now we live too far away to attend and haven't found anything that even remotely comes close. Let's hope we all find the community we need!
There's a bigger plan for you Chris.
Just keep the faith.
Post more please.
What ia an accountability partner?
Chris,
Over the past month I have several times awakened to my alarm clock radio playing Empty Me, and the theology in that song really helps me get my heart square before I put my feet on the floor.
I used to be a chump fire-insurance Christian, but God got a hold of me almost three years ago, and the words of Empty Me really express my heart's desire - that He would become greater and I would become less.
Thank you for your bold testimony of Christ's work in your life.
May the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Your Brother,
Shane
Chris, your song "Empty Me" has become my life song. You sum it up. God gave you a wonderful gift, thanks for using it for Him. You have blessed me so much. God Bless you. I look forward to new releases. Pam
Hey Chris!
first time reader! It'll be a fav. from now on! I'm surprised about how much we have in common! I'm a worship leader, I lived in Germany (dad was Army), I went to a private school (and was homeschooled), I went to PCC (only lasted two years 95-96). And i love music and have been writing for years! Crazy!!!!!!! you can check out my blog at
www.joelsjargon.blogspot.com
later!
Wa the matter brought to a satisfy conclusion?
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