From the Desk of Pastor Raleigh 8/22/2008
Steps Towards Succession
Dear Church,
The Preparation & Prompting by the Lord
In the spring of 2005, my heart was stirred after attending an annual gathering of Free Church Senior pastors of churches over 1000 regular attendees. I had participated in this gathering since it’s inception in 2000. One of the topics of discussion in the gathering was the difficulty of transition that often occurs following the long tenure of a Senior Pastor, especially when they are the Founding Pastor. Because of the difficulties faced by many churches in addressing the problem of transitioning, a newly written book was referred to us by the leaders of our discussion. The book is entitled, “The Elephant in the Boardroom: Speaking the Unspoken about the Pastoral Transitions. (How to Think About & Create a Strategic Succession Plan for Your Church),” by Carolyn Weese & J. Russell Crabtree. I bought two copies one of which I gave to our Church Chairman John Rosten, and one for myself. I first began to read this book on June 9, 2005.
Prayer & Personal Reflection
After reading this book God stirred my heart & mind to ask the question: What would be the best transition for Valley Church when my calling is completed as the Senior Pastor? I have been privileged and blessed by God to serve Valley Church for almost 30 years as your Senior Pastor. I was called by God to be a Pastor before I became a Senior Pastor & I still feel a calling in my life to Pastor the flock of God, as His Under-shepherd. I have been called & gifted by God as a Pastor-Teacher, and I still have a passion for teaching God’s word and shepherding God’s people. I still have energy, enthusiasm and a calling as a pastor at Valley but, what I don’t want for Valley Church is for me to wake up some day and be at the point position without the passion and energy to lead. I want to use my energy, enthusiasm & experience to pass on the baton of leadership, and to assume a different pastoral role in my areas of passion so Valley Church continues to run the race to win souls for the Lord without skipping a beat.
The Elders of Valley Church along with Pastor Jack & myself feel that a transitional plan of Succession would best help Valley church accomplish our Vision of being, “A Community of Christ Followers who are touching lives with the compassion of Christ while making Disciples.” As we seek to fulfill Valley’s Mission of “Nurturing people to passionately love God and genuinely love others while going into all the world to make disciples.”
The Planning of Men but the Providence of the Lord
The Elders began informal discussions about the need for a Succession Plan in the Fall of 2007. In the spring of 2008 the Elders began working on Valley’s Succession Plan for the Senior Pastor. In our May 3rd meeting we completed Scenario’s I & II. Scenario’s III & IV were to be worked on at the next quarterly meeting in the summer.
On May 29th Pastor Dan announced to Pastor Jack and I that God had led him to accept the call, if he was offered the position of Senior Pastor for Sun Hills Church in El Dorado, CA. After, the Elders received Dan’s announcement we felt God had made it clear that even though in our eyes Pastor Dan was one of the two most likely candidates with the Gift set for Succeeding Pastor Raleigh as the Senior pastor, it was not God’s Will, for Valley Church or for Pastor Dan. As we thought about replacing Dan’s position, I realized that we would be looking to replace Pastor Dan with a pastor over family ministries which have always been my passion. I shared with the Elders my feelings that God was opening the door to hand off the baton of the Senior Pastor, & opening the door for me to minister in the area of my passion as a Teaching & Family Ministry Pastor, if that is what God’s people at Valley desired.
(Over)
Valley Church’s Proposed Succession Plans
Scenario I Emergency Succession Plan of the Senior Pastor
Scenario II The Sudden Departure of the Senior Pastor
Scenario III The Succession of the Senior Pastor (Non-retirement)
Scenario IV The Succession of the Senior Pastor (Retirement)
The Proposed Transition Plan for Scenario III Succession
The elders, through much thought, discussion, and prayer, have felt God’s leading to invite Pastor Jeremy White to be a part of this succession plan as Valley’s new Senior Pastor. Because of our concern for our Students, during the transition time, we will search for a Pastor of Student Ministries to make sure that our Student Ministries stay healthy & vibrant. Pastor Jeremy will increase in his responsibilities as Senior Pastor, and my Senior Pastor responsibilities will decrease during the transition. Once a Pastor of Student Ministries is in place Pastor Jeremy will hand off his Student Ministry responsibilities gradually as his Senior Pastor role increases. I will continue to share the Teaching Ministry with Pastor Jeremy in a ratio he & the Elders suggest as I increase in my responsibilities in my areas of passion as a Family Pastor.
During the Membership meeting this Sunday, Aug. 24th, the membership will be given information and insight to wisely consider moving forward with the succession plan as described above. Over the next several weeks, following this meeting, information forums will be held to allow questions to be answered and thoughts to be shared.
After these forums, two more membership meetings will be held, the first to allow the membership to approve a succession plan, and the second to allow affirmation of Pastor Jeremy as our new Senior Pastor.
I am excited about the Elder Board’s recommendation of Pastor Jeremy for succeeding me in the Senior Pastor position at Valley Church. Many from our Body have been intentional in affirming to the Elders and me Jeremy’s gifts as a Pastor/Teacher. Jeremy has demonstrated a passion in pursuing Valley’s Mission with a zeal for worshipping God, an unconditional love for our neighbors and a willingness to go into all the world to make disciples.
I have seen Jeremy’s gift of leadership rise to the top within our church, within our community and even on a national level this past summer at the EFCA National Conference in St. Louis. I have observed Jeremy leading and have seen him live out the Values Valley Church has embraced: Honoring God, Unity, God’s Word, Grace, Integrity & Compassion. What also, has impressed me is that Jeremy not only leads from the point position but has the ability to lead from among, as he rolls up his sleeves, takes up the towel and serve others.
Jeremy is diligent in understanding the times & culture in which we live. He is a learner who continues to grow in his desire to know God and to know God’s Word. Jeremy is very well read and has a firm grasp on his theology. I have been impressed with Jeremy’s ability to defend his faith with truth & grace.
Jeremy & April have demonstrated a shepherd’s heart for the church. April is so gracious and hospitable in opening their home and hearts to the Body. Mary & I have enjoyed their hospitality and have also observed how April & Jeremy have demonstrated a shepherd’s hearts in making the many sacrifices that pastoral ministry requires to shepherd the flock of God.