Lately, someone contacted me because they had heard I was "not leading worship in the Vineyard anymore" and they wanted to know why. I thought it was a great question, and that there might be others wondering the same thing. For those who would like to know "Where the heck is Sheri Carr these days?" - I'd love to share with you the journey my husband and I have been on these past few years! Now, go grab a piece of pumpkin pie and a cup of hot cider or something....cause this one might get LONG!

Three years ago, my husband Joshua and I moved to Atlanta for multiple reasons, but mostly because we felt it was a "God thing." Some practical reasons were: so we could be closer to some of our family out east; so he could finish his Masters degree at Candler Seminary (Emory University); and, so I could take a job offer I'd received to become the worship director at Atlanta Vineyard. I had served at the Vineyard in Mount Vernon, WA for six and a half years and Joshua and I loved the Pacific Northwest. I had never lived in the south and knew it would be a bit of culture shock. But we saw the Lord at work, put our house on the market, and took the plunge.

We made it clear to Atlanta Vineyard that my time there could potentially be as short as two years, since we knew that once Joshua graduated seminary his goal was to pastor full-time. Ideally, we hoped to find a church that would embrace both our giftings, and where we could serve the Lord side-by-side. If that ended up being Atlanta Vineyard, that would be icing on the cake, but we knew it was a long shot and up to the Lord.

Six months later, Joshua was offered a position as the pastor of a small United Methodist church north of Atlanta. I knew it would be a GREAT experience for him - to "do the stuff" while he was learning it - preaching every Sunday, and growing each week as he did. We prayed about it, and felt it was a God thing. We met with the UMC Superintendent that oversees this area, and a few days later, Joshua was introduced as the new pastor of Flowery Branch UMC. It happened so fast!!!

I should probably mention that this wasn't the first time Joshua pastored – he also served at several churches while he was getting his Bachelors degree at Georgia Southern. This is partially how the Superintendent found out he was in the area, and thought he might be a good fit for the needs of FBUMC. I know that I've had many opportunities to grow in my gifting over the years - and I felt this was Joshua's chance and that I should support him in it, even though we knew it would be difficult! Boy, did we have NO idea! :)

I stayed on at Atlanta Vineyard and commuted an hour each way several times a week for staff meetings, personal appointments, rehearsals, and worship services. For over a year, Joshua and I served at two different churches. We were constantly going different directions and never could seem to have a common night at home or even the chance to share a meal together. I felt the Lord begin to stir my heart to join my husband at FBUMC and be more of a support to him there. I wanted to make our marriage a priority, and trust God with the rest! So, last September I made a terribly difficult decision, and resigned from Atlanta Vineyard.

Mind you, this was SMACK in the middle of recording FEARLESS NOW...and I actually had to wait a few months to find out if Vineyard Music would even allow me to finish the album since I was no longer going to be a worship leader at a Vineyard church when it came out the next spring. Yeah, so here was this album I had thought God called me to do, but could end up crumbling down all around me. Yet, I took the leap of faith, trusted God with whatever the outcome, and waited. (Side note: For those who know some of our history, it was also in the middle of all this I ended up with two herniated discs in my lower back and then that October had to have my gall bladder out, and all the while our house in WA was on the market for 27 months before we sold it as a short sale in spring 2008. Insane year last year!!!!)

Wellll....Bert Waggoner (National Director of Vineyard USA), Casey Corum (Chief Creative Officer), and the Vineyard Music board approved me to finish the album and affirmed what I was feeling in my own heart - that I am still very much a part of the Vineyard movement regardless of where I'll be attending on Sunday mornings in this season. So the recording process continued as I started attending FBUMC on Sundays. I took a part-time day job in the theatre department of our local state college to help ends meet.

I did serve some (musically) at my husband's church this year. Though it's quite a traditional church for the most part, about half the folks prefer traditional hymns on organ or piano and the other half prefer contemporary worship on piano or guitar, so it's been a learning experience! I would say I feel a bit like a "missionary in a foreign land" - in a place that is not exactly where Joshua and I fit in best (for example, my husband's long hair and sometimes long beard is a constant source of "conversation" - as well as his love for shorts and Birkenstocks year round), but yet it is where we feel God has called us to serve in this season.

Though at times it is tough, we are honored to serve Him there and will continue to serve Him there until He says it is time to move on. There are some really wonderful people there whom we love very much, and who have also loved us deeply. We could not have made it this far without their support!

Joshua has been their pastor for two and a half years now, and graduated from seminary in May. He is working on his ordination papers and will find out next spring if he is ordained. Then we will find out if we will be staying at our church another year, if we will be moved to a different church in our region, or what exactly God has in mind for us! For those who don't know, to be ordained in the UMC you have to be willing to be itinerant. I guess, in a small way, it's kind of like being the military! When you get your orders – there are no questions asked – you just go! Typically they do their moves in June (sometimes in January if there are extreme circumstances like a death that has left a pulpit empty). They try to move families in June so that kids can start their new school in the fall.

As a couple we determined before we were married: "Wherever you call us, Lord, we will serve - the Vineyard, the United Methodist Church, or as missionaries in Timbuktu." We have been doing our best to hold our future with open palms. You see, I was raised in the United Methodist Church where my dad pastored; my husband's background is United Methodist; my great-grandparents were missionaries in Japan; my mom was raised in South Korea where her parents were United Methodist missionaries; I grew up playing classical piano and flute and singing solos in my dad's UMC churches; and then I was part of the Vineyard for nearly 15 years as an adult - most of that time leading contemporary worship on guitar or keyboard! So I am a "mut" for sure. A mixture of all kinds of things, and the Lord has certainly been up to something. :)

So what am I up to these days? Interestingly, I lead worship from time to time for Vineyard's or UMC's in this region who need a fill-in on Sunday mornings sometimes (or may just invite me as a guest)...and then I also travel time-to-time out of state as invitations come to lead worship or teach seminars. When the album came out in May, it was becoming impossible for me to honor both my contract at the state college AND my contract with Varietal Records (which is Vineyard Music's new sub-label for those who don't know). So, when my contract at the college ran out, I chose not to renew, but became a "full time music missionary." I don't have a guaranteed paycheck, but instead trust God for the provision we needed financially each month. It's been a wild ride as we've watched the ways He has chosen to provide for us! In my "spare time" I am learning how to be a pastor's wife and how I can best serve my home church. One new way is through the United Methodist Women's ministry - as I volunteered to lead the devotional times for those gatherings next year. I may go look for another "day job" again, but this is what the Lord has me plenty busy with for now!

Joshua and I still don't know what the future holds for us, but regardless of where we serve down the road - Vineyard or not - I think I will always feel like "part of the Vineyard family." I hope those of you Vineyard folks out there won't think of me as a traitor or anything, but will still think of me as part of the family as well! In addition, I am incredibly thankful for my UMC family that has done their best to embrace one rowdy lady!

I hope that helps some of you to know a little bit more of our story. I'm actually wondering now why I haven't shared it with you all here sooner! If you have other questions for me, feel free send them along! :)

Have a wonderful week and a very HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

For His Glory Alone!
Sheri (& her bearded husband Joshua)