FAQs Pastor Mike Transitioning FAQs Q: When will

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FAQs Pastor Mike Transitioning FAQs 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: Mike shared with the congregation that, after serving here for 32 years, he feels 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. Mike has formed a nonprofit organization to provide for expenses of his ministry called Pastors to Pastors, Inc. In addition, he has been approached and plans to serve 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. A celebration to honor Mike for his tremendous service to the ministry here at Burnt Hickory is planned for May 19. Everyone is invited to join us as we celebrate with Pastor Mike, Betty and his family. We will have special recognition worship services, and then we will unite on the front lawn for a fellowship Tailgate. At the Tailgate, LifeGroups are encouraged to plan meals with their members and sit together. Look for more information in your classes! We have lots of fun things in store, so you don't want to miss it! Pastor Search FAQs

Q: How will a new senior pastor be found? A: The Burnt Hickory Constitution and By-Laws call for the formation of a senior pastor search committee that is to be responsible for recommending a new senior pastor to the church. Q: Has the senior pastor 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: 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 committee met for the first meeting on April 12 and 13, including 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. The committee met also on April 18, 28 and May 2 and will be meeting about once each week during the month of May. Additional meetings will be scheduled for as long as it takes for the committee to agree on the man the Lord has selected, and for them to recommend him to the church for a vote. 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 (link to survey). The 401 responses received prior to April 8 were reviewed and summarized for the

search committee. The committee chairman continues to review responses for new information. Q: How will we know what is being done in preparation and during the search?

A: The committee is very intentional to be as transparent as possible and will communicate throughout the process. Different media will be used, 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. These FAQs will be updated 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 started with developing a senior pastor profile that will be used throughout the search process. The senior pastor profile (link to senior pastor profile) expresses the qualifications, attributes, skills and abilities preferred to lead our church into the future. The committee used the biblical requirements for elders and pastors, input we are receiving from the church through the survey, input from our pastoral staff, and information about the community, health and projected future of the church to develop this profile. The committee sent the announcement with the pastor, church and community profiles was sent to several nationwide networks of churches, associations and pastors, requesting resumes from interested individuals. While there is a sense of urgency, the committee is committed to take the time required and to pray that the Lord will lead them to the man He has selected to be our next senior pastor. While we do not know how long this will take, the committee is following the steps described here and updated with the committee’s progress to date.

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. The committee’s goal is not to meet a deadline, nor is it to take forever. We do have a sense of urgency for a senior pastor who will lead us to be bold and do what the Lord has put us here to do. We will work efficiently, while we are 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, as indicated in the church by-laws, the Personnel Committee, in consultation with our pastoral staff has determined that an interim pastor will not be needed at this time. BHBC is blessed with a wonderful pastoral staff who lead their ministries well and, under the leadership of our Executive Pastor, Marty Godfrey, together are able to lead the church while the search for our new Senior Pastor is ongoing.

We have a great group of pastors who are called and gifted to be able to preach. They are working on a schedule for bringing purposeful sermon series for our worship. The initial sermon series will be from Philippians on Experiencing Joy.

Our pastors are determined that the administration of the church and all our ministries will continue to be strong. Mike’s shoes as a faithful caring shepherd will be hard to fill, but the pastors and deacons are committed to follow through to make sure the needs of our fellowship are met. Pastor Marty, as our Executive Pastor, will be the primary voice for the church during the interim. The Personnel Committee will work with Marty and our other pastors to monitor our leadership needs during this interim period and determine if an interim pastor may be needed at some time in the future if the pastor search becomes extended. 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!