Last week, Rob and Jeff called me into their office and, with heavy hearts, let me know they needed me to step down from my position. So I’m no longer the director of Echo.
The news came somewhat as a shock, because Echo went phenomenally well. It was the largest yet and we’d received some wonderful feedback. That was what made the decision so hard for Rob and Jeff. If I had done my job poorly or been dishonest it would have been an obvious decision.
But as they evaluated their longterm goals for Echo and where they wanted to take it, they realized I wasn’t the person to take it there. I can see their perspective. And since that was a very specific role that matched my very specific talents, we realized there was no longer a place for me on the team at RT Creative Group. There’s sadness on all parts because the whole team got along really well. I really like them all and they like me.
It’s hard to be upset about the situation, though. Rob and Jeff are taking great care of me and have acted in nothing but integrity. I have nothing bad to say about them or the team. They’re amazing. And we’ll probably still find ways to work together in the immediate future.
But even more than the relationship we have, I can’t be upset because I know God has something cool in store. I wouldn’t trade the seven months I had with them for anything. I learned so much and I know that these experiences have prepared me for my next chapter. God’s pretty sneaky about using situations and experiences to prepare us for His plans. I’m excited to see what’s coming next.
So for the foreseeable future I’ll be developing ChurchStageDesignIdeas and Sunday| Magazine. Just like me, those two sites are both stronger for having been part of the RT Creative Group lineup. I have some exciting ideas and plans for the two (and even a few others).
I’m excited to see what’s next for me and what’s next for Echo. I plan to attend in the future and cheer on the team with a new knowledge of what actually goes into that thing. It’s a lot harder than you might think.
This makes me ill.
You are a good man, Jonathan. You have gifts, talents, and insight any team would be tremendously lucky to have.
Go get ’em bro!
You’ll be in my prayers, Jonathan. God has something big in store for you and your family.
I’m speechless. I’m afraid they may regret this decision in the future, but I’m glad your so positive about it all. You remind me of this guy I know that lives in Kerville. ; )
I’m glad you had the experience of being the Echo Director and the fact that your taking this so well is an encouragement to us all. I hope I would have such class if something like that happened to me. Love your blog and your magazine. We are all real proud of you Jonathan. Ok, apparently I wasn’t speechless. Haha!
Jonathan-
I don’t know what to say bro. You did such an incredible job at leading ECHO this year so it’s hard to imagine the team without you.
I’m so sorry.
But I applaud you for how you are handling this. This post is a sign of real maturity and that you are placing your trust in God, not in man or in yourself.
Will be praying for both you & the RT Creative team in the days ahead. Call me if you need to chat or bounce ideas around or whatever. You got my number!
~ Stephen
I’m with Stephen. You did an incredible job with ECHO this year, and it was certainly stronger for what you brought to the table.
Your ability to see their perspective, and your desire to cheer on and support as an attender rather than organizer speaks volumes for your maturity and team mindset.
Will also be praying for God’s direction as you seek His face. Thank you for all the hard work I’ll never know about behind the scenes – I know I had an incredible experience because of it. And thank you for the work you continue to do with SUNDAY | MAGAZINE and CSDI – two resources I continue to use weekly!
All creatives come to the end of a project. It’s just the nature of our job. Big and better things are coming your way.
All creatives come to the end of their project and sometime. There are bigger and better things coming your way.
Jonathan is a man of extremely high character and our team is going to miss him a lot.
Coming to a decision to part ways with him was very difficult for us.
Mainly because we truly love him, being around him, and appreciate his influence around the office.
He’s been a joy to work with and he will be successful not just because of his gifts and talents, but because of his Godly character.
Thank you Jonathan, we look forward to next Friday!
Thanks for all you did with Echo! IT will be exciting to see where the Lord takes you next! Best wishes, man!
Jonathan, I am glad that they didn’t figure out what they needed last year, or you might not have gotten this chance at all! You have been stretched into a new shape and will not be able to fit back in the space you once occupied. Your new growth means God can now entrust to you more, and you will have the grace to handle it.
This makes me ill.
You are a good man, Jonathan. You have gifts, talents, and insight any team would be tremendously lucky to have.
Go get ‘em bro!
You’ll be in my prayers, Jonathan. God has something big in store for you and your family.
I’m speechless. I’m afraid they may regret this decision in the future, but I’m glad your so positive about it all. You remind me of this guy I know that lives in Kerville. ; )
I’m glad you had the experience of being the Echo Director and the fact that your taking this so well is an encouragement to us all. I hope I would have such class if something like that happened to me. Love your blog and your magazine. We are all real proud of you Jonathan. Ok, apparently I wasn’t speechless. Haha!
Jonathan-
I don’t know what to say bro. You did such an incredible job at leading ECHO this year so it’s hard to imagine the team without you.
I’m so sorry.
But I applaud you for how you are handling this. This post is a sign of real maturity and that you are placing your trust in God, not in man or in yourself.
Will be praying for both you & the RT Creative team in the days ahead. Call me if you need to chat or bounce ideas around or whatever. You got my number!
I’m with Stephen. You did an incredible job with ECHO this year, and it was certainly stronger for what you brought to the table.
Your ability to see their perspective, and your desire to cheer on and support as an attender rather than organizer speaks volumes for your maturity and team mindset.
Will also be praying for God’s direction as you seek His face. Thank you for all the hard work I’ll never know about behind the scenes – I know I had an incredible experience because of it. And thank you for the work you continue to do with SUNDAY | MAGAZINE and CSDI – two resources I continue to use weekly!
All creatives come to the end of a project. It’s just the nature of our job. Big and better things are coming your way.
Jonathan is a man of extremely high character and our team is going to miss him a lot.
Coming to a decision to part ways with him was very difficult for us.
Mainly because we truly love him, being around him, and appreciate his influence around the office.
He’s been a joy to work with and he will be successful not just because of his gifts and talents, but because of his Godly character.
Thank you Jonathan, we look forward to next Friday!
Thanks for all you did with Echo! IT will be exciting to see where the Lord takes you next! Best wishes, man!
Jonathan, I am glad that they didn’t figure out what they needed last year, or you might not have gotten this chance at all! You have been stretched into a new shape and will not be able to fit back in the space you once occupied. Your new growth means God can now entrust to you more, and you will have the grace to handle it.
Great perspective, Jonathan. You could have gone the less noble way from here but you chose the right way. Way to go.
The best is yet to come! Another feather in your cap, another set of friends and experiences to draw from, another chapter begins as this one closes…
You, along with your father and brother display a trust in God in an obvious way that is inspiring. My goal is to have that trust but I am definetly not there; however, seeing people not afraid to go and do what God has in store for them despite what may appear to be a set back motivates me to strive towards that goal.
Great perspective, Jonathan. You could have gone the less noble way from here but you chose the right way. Way to go.
The best is yet to come! Another feather in your cap, another set of friends and experiences to draw from, another chapter begins as this one closes…
You, along with your father and brother display a trust in God in an obvious way that is inspiring. My goal is to have that trust but I am definetly not there; however, seeing people not afraid to go and do what God has in store for them despite what may appear to be a set back motivates me to strive towards that goal.
This is what maturity looks like. You inspire me and many of us.
God is going to do some more big things with you my friend!
This is what maturity looks like. You inspire me and many of us.
God is going to do some more big things with you my friend!
Jonathan, didn’t realize this news until I saw your tweet pointing to Why Failure Is Not Failure.
I really appreciate the way you laid out the situation above. I know I’ve been in difficult circumstances and I haven’t dealt with it in ways that I would be proud to share. However, you have just set an amazing example for others on how to process and deal with something as significant as this chapter in your story.
Thanks for being honest and vulnerable… that stuff is more precious than gold.
My best to you… glad to be supporting your new photo project.