On Thursday of last week, I announced by video that the time has come for our church to begin the search for my successor as Lead Pastor at Ingleside.
As many of you know, it has been my joy and privilege to serve our church family for more than 33 years. Beverly and I began our ministry at Ingleside in September 1989.
Lord willing, I plan to continue to serve as Lead Pastor until June 2024 while the search for my successor occurs so that a smooth passing of the leadership baton can occur next year.
The first step in the process is for our church to elect a Pastor Search Committee. Our Church Bylaws state: “This committee shall be composed of three Overseers from the active Board and four members from the Church at large (two men and two women).”
You may make recommendations for those you think would serve well on the Pastor Search Committee through Sunday, May 7, at ingleside.org/pastorsearch. Then, in May, our Overseers will select the nominees, whose names will be published on June 1 and who will be presented to the church for election at a Called Church Conference on Wednesday, June 14.
Some have asked: Will anyone on our pastoral staff be considered in the search for the next Lead Pastor? The answer is: Yes, if they want to be considered. The Pastor Search Committee will consider internal candidates and external candidates at the same time in the search process.
Others have asked: At the end of the search process, what happens? The answer is: The Pastor Search Committee recommends, the Overseers approve, and the Church elects the new Lead Pastor (by secret ballot requiring a three-fourths vote).
As we walk through this season of succession together, I hope you will pray earnestly, serve joyfully, give generously, prize and protect our unity diligently, and anticipate the next chapter optimistically.
God is sovereign, good, and wise, and we can trust him to guide us through this season in a manner that is for our good and for his glory.
I’m glad to be on this journey with you, and I’m confident that the best is yet to come!
Your Pastor and Friend,
