FAQs Pastor Mike Transitioning FAQ Q: When will Pastor Mike


[PDF]FAQs Pastor Mike Transitioning FAQ Q: When will Pastor Mike...

0 downloads 162 Views 102KB Size

FAQs Pastor Mike Transitioning FAQ Q: When will Pastor Mike be leaving us? A: As Mike shared with the congregation, Sunday morning, March 24, his last day at Burnt Hickory will be Sunday, May 19. Q: Why is Pastor Mike leaving?

A: As Mike shared with the congregation, after serving here for 32 years, he feels that it is time for him to move to another season of ministry and to hand the baton to someone younger who can take the church into the years ahead. Q: What will Pastor Mike be doing in the future?

A: Mike shared that he has already been presented opportunities to mentor and work with pastors to help them in their pastoral leadership. In addition, he has been approached to consider serving as an Intentional Interim Pastor for other churches with needs. Q: Will we get an opportunity to say good-bye to Pastor Mike?

A: Of course. We are putting together plans to honor Mike for his tremendous service to the ministry here at Burnt Hickory. We will be announcing those plans to involve everyone in the church. Search Committee FAQ

Q: Will there be a search committee? A: Yes, our Constitution & By-laws clearly outline the steps we take in forming a search committee. Q: Has the search committee been formed?

A: Yes. In accordance with our Constitution and By-laws, it includes seven BHBC members, including the Chairmen of the Personnel Committee and Deacon Body, two additional Deacons, one additional member of the Personnel Committee and two members at large, chosen by the Deacons. Q: Who are these members of the search committee?

A: David Meriwether, chairman of the Personnel Committee chairs the committee, which includes Jim Dodgen, Sue Clark, Mary Margaret Smith, Steve Thomas, Tommy

Poole, and Wesley White. The committee represents individuals who have shown a loyalty to the Lord and the church over the years. They also represent a host of ages and ministries with which they have been involved. Team member bios can be found here. Q: Burnt Hickory is a big church. Is there a way that I can participate or provide input?

A: Yes. The first way to participate is to pray fervently for the church, the committee, and the pastor to-be. Also, our members have been asked to complete a survey that provides the opportunity for each person to express themselves. The input and comments are welcomed (link to survey). Q: How was the committee selected?

A: The BHBC Constitution and By-Laws prescribes how the Senior Pastor Search Committee is selected. Two positions are determined by a prior church election, the Chairman of the Personnel Committee and the Chairman of the Deacons. A second member of the Personnel Committee was selected by that committee to serve also of the Search Committee. The four other members (two deacons and two at-large members) were selected by the active Deacon body. Criteria (link to the criteria) for these members were determined before the Deacons nominated members. Because all members of the Personnel Committee and the Deacon body are males, it was determined that the two at-large members should be female. Deacons made nominations. The members who received the largest number of nominations were selected by vote of the active Deacon body and agreed to serve on the Search Committee. Q: Has the search committee met?

A: Yes, the first meeting of the search committee included a dinner and prayer time with committee members spouses, Pastor Mike and Betty Friday evening, 4/12, and a four-hour meeting of the committee and advisors on Saturday, 4/13. Q: How will we know what is being done in preparation and during the search?

A: We will be very intentional to communicate throughout the process. We will use different media, including membership emails and paper copies in the media center. We have also devoted a dedicated page on the website under “About - Pastoral Transition” and a dedicated place on our “Burnt Hickory” app. We will also add to these FAQs as additional questions arise. The intent will be to maintain open communications with the church throughout the process. Q: What is the search committee doing now?

A: The search committee members have dedicated themselves to prayer and to listening to the leadership of the Holy Spirit. We continue to seek the prayers of the church. Initial work has started with the focus on developing a senior pastor profile that will be used throughout the search process. The senior pastor profile will express the qualifications, attributes, skills and abilities preferred to lead our church into the future. The committee will use the biblical requirements for elders and pastors, input we are receiving from the church through the survey, and information about the health and projected future of the church to develop this profile.

Q: Who are likely candidates to be the senior pastor? Will someone on the staff now be considered? A: Church leadership is committed to seek the Lord and His direction to find the person He desires to lead BHBC for the future. Internal and external candidates will be prayerfully considered through a thorough process the search committee conducts. Transitional Timeframe FAQ

Q: How long will it take before we get another pastor? A: Great question! As quickly or as long as the Lord allows. Our goal is not to meet a deadline, nor is it to take forever. We will work efficiently, but we will be diligent not to get ahead of what God has in store. Again, your prayers are greatly appreciated and valued! Q: Who will preach after Pastor Mike leaves? Will we have an Interim Pastor?

A: No, we will not have a need for an interim pastor. We are blessed to have a great team of pastors here at Burnt Hickory and look forward to special sermon series that they will bring to us to encourage and challenge us during this season. As to the day-to-day operations, Pastor Marty will continue to provide leadership, along with our pastors and directors of ministry. Q: What will be different or change during this interim season?

A: While, of course, we will greatly miss Pastor Mike – with his wonderful pastor’s heart and goofy jokes – we will continue to provide strong family ministries as we have in the past. Ministries, programs, and events will continue to focus on taking the message of the Gospel to our community and beyond, and the Word of God will continue to be taught and followed. Many times, churches even experience a boost, as members pull together in great unity to this season. Our church body is strong and healthy, and we should expect that that should not change.

Q: I was considering getting my family involved here at Burnt Hickory; should I wait to see who the new pastor will be?

A: Of course we encourage you to do what God directs you to do; however, one of the great things about Burnt Hickory is that we are not built around the pastor, or a pastor’s personality. We are blessed to be built on the foundation of God’s Word, and a strong family ministry that is relevant to those who desire to live for God in today’s culture. We do not see that changing in the days ahead. With that being said, come on and jump in with both feet. Let’s do this together!