On Sunday, March 15, Pastor Ed announced that I am beginning the elder process at Terra Nova. Since my primary area of responsibility will be communications, it only makes sense to introduce myself to you through the blog.

My wife Sarah and I have been at Terra Nova for just over two years. I work up the hill at RPI in the Division of Strategic Communications, where I oversee the news office. Sarah spends her days chasing after our kids; we have two little boys–Simon (4) and Elliot (2)–and we are expecting Baby #3 in early April. Sarah also happens to be an incredibly talented artist, and she helps run the Terra Nova Gallery. (Shameless plug: Sarah’s Stations of the Cross will be on display at the Good Friday services.)

What, you might wonder, will a “communications elder” be responsible for? It certainly isn’t a traditional church role, but it will fill a need at Terra Nova while tapping the gifts that God has given to me. On the most basic level, I plan to put together a team of people to help run the web site, oversee internal communication, manage our presence in social networks like Facebook, and publicize events and initiatives that highlight Terra Nova’s engagement with the Troy community and beyond. There are several people already serving in this area, and I look forward to doing whatever I can to help them be even more effective. 

But on a deeper level, my vision is to use effective communication to help advance the work that God is doing at Terra Nova. This can happen in a number of ways, from simply keeping people informed of opportunities to connect and serve, to leveraging our strengths for the benefit of church leaders around the world. In the end, my primary goal is to help tell the story of Terra Nova to anyone who will listen. I, for one, think it is pretty compelling–both on its own and as a picture of what God has been doing through his church for thousands of years.

The people of Terra Nova have been an incredible blessing to me and my family. I am grateful for the opportunity to give back to this community with my time and my talents. You will be hearing a lot more from me here as we ramp up the communications program in the coming months. If you are interested in being a part of this effort, send me an email at jason@terranovachurch.org.

Below, you will find the video of Pastor Ed Marcelle introducing me as a new Elder in Process. (shot on 3.15 at the 10AM service.)