The Rev. Jeff Severt, lead pastor at New Song Church in New Bern has been named director of New Faith Communities for the North Carolina Conference, The United Methodist Church, Bishop Al Gwinn has announced.
As director, Severt will utilize partnerships with congregations and the conference to launch new communities of faith for all people in all areas of the conference.
“Jeff has proven ability in equipping, encouraging, and empowering others through his effectiveness in founding a dynamic congregation in New Bern which has grown to over 700 in weekend worship,” said Bishop Gwinn.
Previously, development of new communities and revitalization of existing congregations was the responsibility of Congregational Development. Under a restructure of how these ministries are accomplished, New Faith Communities has the responsibility for new ministries and the Conference Connectional Ministries will be work with existing congregations on revitalization.
The specific date Severt will begin his new appointment was not announced, pending the appointment of a new lead pastor at New Song.
Severt is noted for his unconventional approaches to ministry. He has preached from the rooftop of the church, flown to an outdoor service on a helicopter, and conducted a wedding on the bottom of the Caribbean. During the past 12 years, he has worn a tie to church only three times.
He has used his gifts in music, art, drama and video editing creatively in his ministry. Geocaching, outdoor scavenger hunting using gps coordinates, is included in his numerous interests.
Severt was ordained a Deacon in 1993, graduated from Asbury Theological Seminary in 1994 and was ordained an Elder in 1996. He began New Song in 1998.
He has been a member of the Commission on Congregational Development and currently serves on the Board of Ordained Ministry. In 1997, he was presented the Denman Evangelism Award. He has completed the Church Planting program at the National Institute for New Church Development and the Royce and Jane Reynolds Program for Church Leadership.
Jeff and his wife, Monica, have three children: Callie, age 11, and three-year-old twins, Spence (a boy) and Skylar (a girl). Monica is a public school teacher.
Congratulations, Jeff. God has blessed you with an amazing talent and gift. Go use it for the greater good…we’ve had you all to ourselves long enough…share your gifts!!! We will miss you terribly, but you’re not that far away. God Bless you and your beautiful family!!!!
As SAD as I am to see such a gifted and talented person go, I’m equally HAPPY to see the Conference has made the right selection for this job. Big changes for the UMC in NC but Jeff, I know you’ve got a pair of big boy boots in your closet. So, get to stompin’ with confidence cuz I know you can and will make the difficult transition(s) worth while in the long haul. Even still, WE WILL miss you awful. May God bless you and yours on this journey.
Jeff Severt is the perfect man for this job! I know the Conference will be blessed by his talents, gifts, and total dedication to HIS mission. The Kingdom has benefited from his years in ministry and New Song Church is well-founded in both the knowledge of our Christ and in a vision for the future! He will be missed and forever loved as part of the New Song Family and I for one am proud of him and pray for his ongoing fruitfulness. GOD is so good…and I thank him for blessing my life with his out-of-control servant, Jeff Severt.
This man of God has been a blessing in my life and the lives of so many other’s. I will miss him and his family personally but I will miss his enthusiasm for the Lord and his quirky presentations of God’s holy word more than words can say….He is the first minister in my life that taught me how to be self lead and self fed. I will miss them but have no doubt that he is going to continue HIS work in amazing ways all over the world. Grace and Peace Severt Family.
We are so proud of you Jeff you are in our prayers. When we visit New Bern hopefully this year it will be so hard going to New Song Church and not seeing you there. I always love going there when we visit. Hopefully we can make arrangement to see all of you. Love you all.
Aunt Dot
Pastor Severt,
Just a note to tell you that you will be missed greatly at New Song Church. I credit you with bringing my wife and I, and a large part of my family to Jesus Christ. Without going into a long goodbye, we both wanted to tell you that we love you and wish you and your family the best in your new endeavors.
God Bless!!!
Like everyone else who has posted comments on this page we will miss you and your beautiful family more than words can say. Whomever UMC chooses to replace you will have some very large shoes to fill. We will continue to make New Song the church of the future that appeals to all walks of life so go get ‘em and enjoy your career change to the fullest. God bless you and your family always!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Congratulations, Jeff. The folk of Spring Hill UMC look forward to working with you on future opportunities. May God continue to give you the strength as you face this new challenge.
Congratulations, Jeff.
As others have observed here — I agree you are definitely top choice for this position. Prayers and well-wishes for you and your family!
Jeff, you know you were my recommendation out of the gate. Lead us well. I appreciate the personal sacrifice for you to serve the Kingdom!
Marty
Pastor Jeff, We will truly miss your dynamic, fully charged passion for our Lord and your leadership. We congratulate you on this new appointment within the Methodist NC conference. Our prayer is you develop your skills so they grow more valuable each year, many too encourage you and your work will be secure, successful, satisfying and financially rewarding. Be a tree planted near God’s living water and bring forth much fruit for His glory and praise. We love you.
How very blessed I have been to experience the leadership and encouragement of Jeff Severt, not only in my life, but in the life of my family as well. Jeff is truly a man of God who desires nothing less than to be all that God has called him to be. It is truly a new day here in the North Carolina Conference in which God has called modern day John Wesleys to lead the way and to embrace the vision that God has for us…truly greater than anything we could ever dream or imagine. I am both excited and humbled to serve in this conference and under such annointed leaders!
Thank you for answering the call to this exciting and challenging ministry opportunity!
We want to thank you, Jeff, for all the time New Song has been here. You helped us through so many times with your sermons and your caring. We may have moved to Greenville, but New Song and your family will always remain in our hearts.
Jeff has an outstanding record as a church planter and the gifts and right spirit to lead the North Carolina Conference in its mission to plant new churches. He will do an outstanding job and I look forward to celebrating the results in coming years. We in the NCC are blessed to have this dedicated servant of Christ in our family!
Pastor Jeff, Juanita and I talk frequently about the Sunday morning that God led us to Trinity UMC where you were the visiting Minister with your message of “Forgiveness regarding Abandonment”, and you also spoke about starting New Song UMC”. We give you credit through God for helping us to see the change we needed to make in our lives and get back to church in the service of God. It has been a great experience serving as Lay Leader at New Song with you. You, Monica and the Children are like Family to us. We will surely miss you and Pray for Gods Blessings to be with you in your new endeavor.
Congratulations, Jeff, on this new ministry opportunity. Our prayers are with you as you lead us in this important Kingdom work. God bless you!
Awesome pick for this position. Jeff is gifted for this ministry. God bless him and his family in this move.
Dear Jeff: I am saddened and excited about your new position. When you made your announcement at church last Sunday, I had tears of joy, and sadness. The “maiden” service of New Song, at the YMCA, will be a day I will never forget. I knew half-way thru the service, that I was in the right place. Thank you for your commitment, vision and passion for making New Song a wonderful family, and a spiritual place to grow. I have grown alot, and learned alot from your teachings. I will miss you, Monica and the kids, but knew in my heart that you were ready for a change. I love you guys and happy that God has guided you to this next wonderful step, of your purpose. Love and prayers, Sue
Jeff,
Thanks so much for sharing your gifts with us and New Song! Although we are no longer a part of that community, the impact you have had on our family for a very long time has been awesome- you have been a blessing in more ways than you will know. Many blessings to you and all of your family as you begin another endeavor- which will be as wildly successful as your previous ones!! And… if you ever have a chance to serve in GA, we’d love to have y’all!
What a wonderful pastor God has placed in this position for this ministry in the United Methodist Conference. You are a very caring minister making your worship time full of surprises including videos, skits and I especially remember you putting a race car in the Sanctuary, plus your landing at Union Point in a helicopter on a beautiful Sunday and delivering a wonderful message. How New Song has been blessed by a very creative, innovative and spiritual pastor who loves God and His Son. We will miss you but our blessings and prayers go with you and your family. You will be an asset to the Conference.
Congratulations. “Live long and prosper”. And above all, THANK YOU.
Congratulations Jeff!! You will be greatly missed at New Song. You helped me with your sermons to become closer to God. He truly works through you. God Bless you and Monica and the kids in this new ministry.
Jeff brings to us all a burning passion for connecting the pre-churched (majority world) with God through The Body of Christ. This God-given passion, coupled with a bedrock belief that the Church is God’s creation, will strengthen all of our congregations in making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. I celebrate this significant appointment of a servant-leader. Welcome Jeff!
Go, Jeff. We are happy for you and Monica and family to be in this new and exciting ministry. Gob, bless you and your family and we know you will lead well in all aspects of this great calling.
Jeff, Congratulations on your promotion! You deserve it! So very happy for you. I will miss your sermons the most. They were always right on target, real and relevant. No matter what the topic was, it was always recharging my batteries and giving me the energy to have a great week. On my 3 years of travel here prior to my move here 18 months ago, I would attend different churches in the area, but always came back to New Song. Your sermons was the thing that kept me coming back. I will miss your lovely family, especially Callie. She brings so much energy to our Jr. High Girls Small Group, and we have bonded so well in such a short time. God BLess you and your family in your new journey. Denise
Dear Jeff: I am SO happy for you and your family. New Song will not be the same without you, but God has a plan for all of us to carry on Jesus’ name and teachings. Your sermons were always so spot on and relavant to the lives you touch. I know you are going to be awesome in your new position. Best of luck and God bless.