UPDATE
SEpt. 30, 2018
SENIOR PASTOR SEARCH TEAM PASTOR SEARCH PROGRESS & PRAYERS To the members of Ridgecrest Baptist Church: In the previous Pastor Search Team Update on Aug. 19, we told you we were pursuing three candidates, all of whom had successful experience as a senior pastor. We are updating again today because we want you to be able to share in our excitement: We are presently dealing directly with one candidate and his family. We have had multiple interviews and church visits. They have visited Springfield. We have completed reference calls and an extensive background investigation was conducted by a professional investigation team. We are finding no concerns to stop us from taking continued steps forward in this process. We need to remember this is a process and a candidate must continue to feel called here. For that reason — and because we must protect his current ministry — we cannot share his name at this time. At our recent deacon ordination, Pastor Wayne Barron reminded us that being a Shepard of the church is more about character, integrity, and leadership than simply doing. Being the Shepard of a congregation is not as much about what you do as who you are. It is about character and a heart that seeks God in all things. We believe our candidate is a good example of those traits. When our team makes a final recommendation, the elders will also review the candidate. If approved by the elders, and when the time is right, we intend to provide many opportunities for you to learn about this candidate and to meet him and his family. Continue praying for the process. Pray for unity in this church. Pray for continued healing. Pray for the timing of future meetings and additional steps taken. Pray also for the candidate and the transition that will be faced by his family and his home church. Then, join our team in prayers of thanks to our Holy God as He fits the pieces together, so we can call the one person He has chosen to lead Ridgecrest. As always, if you need to communicate with the team, either visit with us in person or email the entire team at
[email protected].
Senior Pastor Search Team Brent Barker, Lori Bratanov, David Burton, Bob Cann, Dr. Debbie Cherry, Shayla Hale, and Jennifer Hendrickson
PROGRESS CHART FOR PASTOR SEARCH X = STEP COMPLETED OR IN PROCESS
Preparation and Self Study: Psalm 10:17 KJV X Select team members X Team organizes itself (selects chairman, sets meeting dates, etc.) X Congregational prayer guide distributed X Introduction of team/Congregational prayer over team (Feb. 18) X Team self-study of search and needs X Survey of Congregation (March 11—March 30) X Team gathers denominational resources and contacts X Team develops church profile and position description Process and Search: Matthew 7:7 X Congregational prayer meetings X Search team begins 21-day prayer study/challenge X Begin enhanced congregational communication (April 8 and May 20) X Advertise vacancy locally and nationally (began April 9) X Network for the referral of qualified candidates X Notify Baptist seminaries, conventions, and associations of open position X Start receiving résumés X Refine team method of sorting and scoring résumés X Pray over résumés X Evaluate résumés X Prioritize candidates and follow-up with questionnaires X Watch or listen to sermons of candidates X Evaluate and pray over completed candidate questionnaires Decision: 1 Samuel 16:4-13 X Decide on top finalists/conduct interviews X Decide on top candidates that God wants us to pursue X Deal with top candidates one at a time as long as God keeps the door open. Or, if He closes the door, move to next candidate. Includes X Visit and observe finalists X Conduct additional interviews X Run background checks on top candidates X Pray over candidate and seek God to determine that he is the one ___ Recommend candidate to the elders ___ Candidate visits in view of a call Praise: Psalm 65:1-4 ___ Introduction of candidate to congregation; multiple opportunities to meet ___ Church votes ___ Set a date for start of new Senior Pastor and churchwide celebration
Seeking God to Seek a Pastor Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God — who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly — and it will be given to him. James 1:5 (CSB)
October 1
Scripture Reading: Philippians 2:1-11 Prayer Prompts: Pray that Christ’s attitude of humility and servanthood permeates Ridgecrest during the pastor search process.
October 2
Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 29:11-13 Prayer Prompt: Pray for Ridgecrest to hope in God and seek Him
wholeheartedly with the realization that He is in control of our future.
October 3
Scripture Reading: Ephesians 6:10-11 Prayer Prompts: Pray with the understanding that searching for a
pastor is primarily a spiritual process, so spiritual warfare will be present. Pray for God’s protection on the search team, our elders, our staff and our members.
October 4
Scripture Reading: John 17:20-23 Prayer Prompts: Pray for Ridgecrest to be unified so the world will be impacted with the Gospel and the Father will be glorified. Pray for the search team and elders to be unified in their decision making.
October 5
Scripture Reading: Revelation 2:1-7 Prayer Prompts: Pray for Ridgecrest to return to her first love, Jesus
Christ. Pray for us to hear the Spirit clearly throughout the pastor search process.
October 6
Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 5:8-9 Prayer Prompts: Pray for the search team to remain humble before
God and that they will not be anxious, but trust God’s leadership. Pray that Ridgecrest will stand firm against the schemes of the devil.
October 7
Scripture Reading: John 15:1-8 Prayer Prompts: Pray for Ridgecrest members to continually abide
in Christ and produce much fruit that glorifies the Father during this interim period. Pray for members of the search team to remain close to Christ.
October 8
Scripture Reading: John 15:9-15 Prayer Prompts: Pray for Ridgecrest members to abide in the love of
Christ and to love one another with the love of Christ. Pray for God to bond Ridgecrest and our future pastor together in love.
October 9
Scripture Reading: John 15:16-17 Prayer Prompts: Pray for a season of fruitful ministry as Ridgecrest
prepares for her next pastor. Pray for the search team to be blessed with answered prayers.
October 10
Scripture Reading: Acts 2:41-42 Prayer Prompts: Pray for Ridgecrest to reflect the six elements of a
healthy church, both in the interim period and when our new pastor is called to serve: worship, discipleship, ministry, fellowship, evangelism, and prayer.
October 11
Scripture Reading: Revelation 3:1-6 Prayer Prompts: Pray for Ridgecrest to be filled with life through the Holy Spirit. Pray for Ridgecrest to be strengthened to carry out the vision God has for her.
October 12
Scripture Reading: John 13:34-35 Prayer Prompts: Pray for Ridgecrest to be obedient to Christ’s
command to love one another. Pray our Christ-like love will be seen by the world.
October 13
Scripture Reading: Ephesians 3:20-21 Prayer Prompts: Pray the power of Christ would be known in and
through Ridgecrest and all glory would be given to God throughout the pastor search process.
October 14
Scripture Reading: James 4:1-12 Prayer Prompts: Pray for Ridgecrest members to humble themselves
before the Lord and seek His cleansing power in order for revival to come. Pray for the search team, our elders, and our staff to continually submit to God’s will.
October 15
Scripture Reading: Colossians 3:12-17 Prayer Prompts: Pray for Ridgecrest to grow in love toward one another. Pray for unresolved conflict to be worked out and for reconciliation among any broken relationships in the church.
October 16
Scripture Reading: Revelation 3:14-22 Prayer Prompts: Pray for Ridgecrest to fight against lukewarm
spirituality. Pray members repent of a lukewarm heart and become filled with a zeal for Jesus and His Kingdom work.
October 17
Scripture Reading: Hebrews 10:19-25 Prayer Prompts: Pray for Ridgecrest to be committed to biblical
worship. Pray for the search team to be confident they are following God’s will as they make decisions regarding our future pastor.
October 18
Scripture Reading: Matthew 28:18-20 Prayer Prompts: Pray for Ridgecrest to be a Great Commission church that makes disciples. Pray our future pastor will be a Great Commission leader.
October 19
Scripture Reading: Psalm 139:23-24 Prayer Prompts: Pray for members of the search team to have pure hearts as they work through the pastor search process. Pray for our future pastor to maintain a pure life before God.
October 20
Scripture Reading: 2 Timothy 2:1-2 Prayer Prompts: Pray our future pastor will be a faithful disciple-maker. Pray for our future pastor and his family to be strengthened by the grace of Jesus Christ.
October 21
Scripture Reading: Colossians 1:9-12 Prayer Prompts: Pray for our future pastor and his family to be certain
it is God’s will to transition to a new field of ministry. Pray the Father will be glorified in the pastor search process.
October 22
Scripture Reading: Psalm 51:10-12 Prayer Prompts: Pray our elders, deacons, key leaders and staff will
stay close to the Lord through hearts that are continually cleansed by
Him. Pray for our next pastor to keep a cleansed heart before the Lord.
October 23
Scripture Reading: 2 Timothy 2:15; 2 Timothy 4:1-5 Prayer Prompts: Pray for a pastor who is able to correctly teach the
Word of God. Pray for our future pastor to faithfully preach the Word of God. Pray the Lord gives Ridgecrest a hunger for the Word of God and receptivity to the sermons preached by our new pastor.
October 24
Scripture Reading: Hebrews 13:17 Prayer Prompts: Pray for our future pastor to faithfully shepherd the
staff and church and for members of Ridgecrest to willingly and joyfully place themselves under his servant leadership.
October 25
Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 5:1-4 Prayer Prompts: Pray our future pastor shepherds the church in a
biblical and Christ-exalting manner. Pray for our future pastor’s walk with Christ.
October 26
Scripture Reading: Proverbs 2:2-6; James 1:5-8 Prayer Prompts: Pray for our future pastor to seek God’s wisdom in
every area of life and decision making. Pray for the search team to be attentive to the Lord’s wisdom.
October 27
Scripture Reading: 1 Timothy 3:1-7 Prayer Prompts: Pray for our next pastor to be a man who exhibits Christ-like character, both publicly and privately. Pray for our future pastor’s family as they transition to a new work.
October 28
Scripture Reading: Ephesians 1:15-23 Prayer Prompts: Pray for our future pastor to grow in the wisdom and knowledge of Christ. Pray for Ridgecrest to look to Christ as the Head of the body.
October 29
Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 5:5-7 Prayer Prompts: Pray for mutual respect and humility between
Ridgecrest and our future pastor. Pray for Ridgecrest to follow the leadership of our future pastor. Pray for the Lord to reveal His will to our future pastor.
October 30
Scripture Reading: Colossians 1:24-29 Prayer Prompts: Pray that when the time comes to extend a call to our
next pastor, God will make it unmistakably clear to our future pastor and Ridgecrest. Pray for the Lord to work powerfully through Ridgecrest to make disciples.
October 31
Scripture Reading: Galatians 6:9 Prayer Prompts: Pray the search team and Ridgecrest will be able to see God’s hand at work in bringing us and our future pastor together.
For more information: ridgecrestbaptist.org/pastorsearch Contact us:
[email protected] Receive a daily prayer reminder: Text @rbcprays to 81010 Subscribe to our daily prayer calendar: ridgecrestbaptist.org/rbcPrays
