Finding My People

Exiting the United Methodist Church was one of the most difficult decisions I’ve ever made. The systems, relationships, and sense of connection that had been a part of my identity for over two decades were gone. While I did my very best to leave well, I still found myself removed from some Christmas card lists and suddenly deleted on social media. Though I believe my departure was necessary, and there was an undeniable sense of God’s timing and calling, it left me feeling, for lack of a better word, tribeless. It wasn’t just about leaving a denomination—it was about losing a broader sense of belonging. Being one of the pastors at Grace Church is an incredible gift, offering me a supportive team and place to serve, but there has been a gap that I haven’t quite been able to fill. I missed the broader connection, the feeling of being part of something larger that stretched beyond the walls of my local church. I previously had a deep network of colleagues, and while we didn’t always agree on everything and found ourselves in meetings that could have easily been emails, a friend of mine often quipped “forced collegiality is still collegiality.” I missed that. I have been passionate about renewal across the entirety of the Wesleyan movement, and suddenly felt on an island. 

In short, I have craved a sense of connectedness not only with my local community but with others who share the same heart for God’s movement across the broader church. 

Fast forward to this week, when I had the opportunity to officially become a part of The Sanctification Network, of which Grace Church is a part. I’ve been looking forward to this opportunity for quite some time. Ironically, I almost didn’t make it. On Sunday afternoon, I got hit with a 24-hour bug and briefly considered staying at home. God was so merciful in bringing healing and energy to get in the car and head to the gathering. Thankfully, I only missed lunch and introductions and walked in during opening worship. 

I write this with tears…I felt like I had walked in the door of home after an extended absence. This was my tribe. The three days were incredible. There was an unmistakable sense of unity—something I hadn’t felt in quite some time. I was surrounded by some of the most effective pastors and leaders I’ve known, but what stood out wasn’t their titles or positions, their church size or budgets. It was their desperation for God, their shared hunger for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and their complete alignment around a mission that was greater than any one individual, local church, or denomination. Together, we represent some phenomenally vital congregations, but there was not a single hint of competition in the room, rather a spirit of cooperation. 

The atmosphere was charged with a sense of expectation. There was a genuine yearning for God to move in a new way that transcended old divides and bring us closer to the heart of the Father, the mission of Jesus Christ, and the empowerment of the Spirit. It wasn’t just talk—it was an embodied faith, a unity that I have yearned for but not found. This was the broader connection I had been missing. 

This wasn’t just another gathering—it was a family. A family with a deep and shared commitment to living out the call of holiness and “championing a movement of disciple-making in the Wesleyan way, for the renewal of the local church.” These were my people, envisioning “a movement that exponentially generates passionate spiritual disciples and leaders, spreading scriptural holiness, for the loving transformation of our world.”

As I reflect on this experience, my heart is full of gratitude—not only for Grace Church, where I pray the Lord allows me to serve for the rest of my ministry career, but for the broader Wesleyan-Methodist movement. This network isn’t confined to one denomination or expression of Wesleyanism. The Sanctification Network “is a relational connection of local churches and leaders who are devoted to making more and maturing disciples of Jesus in the Wesleyan heritage. The network is a healthy collection of churches and leaders from different denominations and independent churches.” Simply followers of Jesus in the Wesleyan tradition coming together with a shared heart and mission. And in that unity, there is strength.

Listen, my colleagues in ministry: If you have ever felt the way I did—disconnected, longing for something more, or searching for a spiritual family beyond your local church—I encourage you to explore The Sanctification Network. There is something powerful happening here, and it’s way beyond just programs or leadership structures. It’s about the Holy Spirit breathing new life into the broader church, bringing together those who are hungry for revival, renewal, and scriptural holiness.

The Sanctification Network is for anyone in the Wesleyan family who desires to be part of something bigger, something deeper. If your heart is as our heart, consider joining us in this movement.

I invite you to visit The Sanctification Network and learn more about what God is doing. If you’re seeking a place where mission, unity, and a hunger for God’s presence come together, you may just find the spiritual home you’ve been looking for. 

Reach out to me if you’d like to chat.