This past weekend two members of the Pastoral Transition Advisory Team, Matt Minard and Sheeja Thomas, took the stage at Oak Pointe Novi to explain more of their role in the search process for our next lead pastor. They also updated us on where the church stands. To learn what they shared, watch the video or read on below.
The Selection Planning Process
- While Pastor Bob Shirock is retired from teaching ministry at Oak Pointe, he is a member of the Succession Planning Team.
- Beginning almost 4 years ago, the elders assembled the Succession Planning Team and began planning for Pastor Bob’s retirement. That team has been praying, meeting, planning, and defining what we’re looking for in our next Lead Pastor.
- About 6 months ago, the Succession Planning Team launched two initiatives:
- First, an Advisory Team was assembled of women and men from the congregation. This team’s role would be to speak into the transition process and participate in candidate interviews. Essentially, this diverse team would “advise” the Succession Planning Team from a unique perspective. Between the two teams there are a total of 17 people.
- Second, the Succession Planning Team hired Christian search firm NL Moore & Associates. NL Moore, led by Nancy Moore, has been instrumental in the Pastoral Transition by partnering with our two teams.
- To this point NL More has:
- Facilitated the congregational survey with over 1000 responses
- Thoroughly interviewed the Novi church staff
- Compiled an initial candidate profile
- Conducted the search and screening of candidates
- Once qualified candidates were identified, NL Moore presented them to the Succession Planning and Advisory Teams. These two teams will lead the interview process and invite others into the process as appropriate.
- Finally, the Succession Planning Team will recommend one person to the Elder Team to call as the next Lead Pastor of Oak Pointe Novi. The Elder Team will then extend an offer.
Pastoral Transition Status Update
So now here is where things stand currently:
- We have been presented qualified candidates from NL Moore, and those candidates were interviewed by the Succession Planning and Advisory Teams. Based on the initial interviews, we have chosen to release one candidate from the process at this time.
- Our next step is a Theological Interview with the candidates. We will then determine who moves forward into the next round of interviews.
- We are still hopeful to reach consensus on the best candidate to lead our church and be able to extend an offer around November 1st. While still on track for that timetable, of course we are trusting in God’s timing and will be patient if adjustments need to be made.
Thank you so much for praying along with our two teams these past many months! Please continue to pray for the Succession Planning Team, for the Advisory Team, for the candidates, and for our church as we journey through this search process for the next lead pastor of Oak Pointe Novi.