Dear Friends of FaithPoint,
In June I shared some important information with the congregation. The FaithPoint Board and I have begun planning for the day when I will retire and step aside as your Pastor.
I say “begun planning” because the time for this transition will take some significant work and I want this transition to be a good one … and time enough for the church to prayerfully find a new Pastor to serve and lead this awesome congregation.
We have drawn up a Transition Plan that will take an estimated 18-20 months to work through. The plan includes:
· Review of our Church By-laws,
· Forming a Pastoral Search Team,
· Review of the Pastoral Ministry Description,
· Interviewing Pastoral Candidates, and
· the Calling of a new Pastor.
The plan also includes that I would stay on staff for a period of about 6 months … to help with the transition of the new Pastor. All together, we estimate the plan will take about 18-20 months.
Keep in mind, the time frames are all estimates. The process could take longer … or it might go more quickly. Only God knows. Most important is that we all seek God’s guidance and direction in this process, and that we all bathe this search and transition in prayer.
Leadership transitions are important … very important. That is why we are sharing this information a good 18 months in advance.
There is a shortage of pastors, but FaithPoint is a thriving congregation that is growing, has incredible programs for young people, old people … and everything in between.
We have an incredibly gifted and dedicated staff. We have exceptional leadership on the Board and the many various ministries at FaithPoint. We also have a climate of people stepping up to be servant leaders and be generous givers. We have a beautiful new site and building that we are still getting situated. We are vibrant, healthy and financially sound. The future is bright.
While I will certainly mourn and miss serving as Pastor, I have utmost confidence that God has in mind a new, younger leader who will humbly lead this congregation into an exciting and vibrant next chapter.
While a team of people will be working on this transition, I fully expect that all ministries and programs will carry on with vibrancy and energy as we prepare for the next exciting chapter of ministry together. We will keep you informed as appropriate as we move forward.
It seems odd talking about this when it is more than 1 ½ years away … but I … we wanted to have full transparency, so that we would be able to start a full-fledged search for a new Pastor … time enough to find a good match and provide a smooth, seamless transition.
I’m sure you probably have some questions. Members of the Board, the staff and myself, are here to answer them as best we can.
I invite your prayers in this time of transition,
Pastor Steve Trewartha
