Greetings to all the saints,

It is truly a blessing how the Spirit of God is moving through this church!

The Senior Minister search is going very well. Before you read extensively on this blog, please consider a few things. First and foremost, the search is and will remain confidential until such time that a candidate makes it through the levels of pre-interviews, reference checks, been in our pulpit, been introduced to the ministerial staff for their blessing, and recommended to the elders for approval to consider putting before the congregation for approval by a majority vote. That is not the finite process, but you get the idea.

For those who don’t understand, just know that many quality candidates would not be in communication with us if the process were not confidential. They simply should not upset their current ministry because they are exploring whether God may be leading them somewhere else. So if you want names and specific information, transcripts of phone interviews, when and where we talked with a candidate, how tall they are, etc….then this blog is not for you.

We do appreciate wanting to know, and having loving concern as to where we are in the process, but sometimes questions turn into critique and demands to “give me what I want to know now” and “are you blind, pick so-and-so.” We are not hiding anything… honest, and trust that the view from the pew is not all that must be taken into account.

We understand that some hearts in the body desire one of our current ministers to assume the role of Senior Pastor, while still others feel it should be another minister already on staff. How blessed we are to have such fine Pastors and it’s understandable that if they make you feel close to God (Praise God for that) that we would desire the person who most speaks to my heart now. However,

Simply stated, the new Senior Minister will not be one of our current ministers.

We ask that you trust and honor this decision by the church leadership and the search committee, as we truly seek God’s will and believe that it is He, who is guiding us through this process.

Your church leaders are tirelessly involved in your spiritual care and are prayerfully watchful over each of us.

When God’s people understand that the leaders are keenly aware that they must give an account to God, they will be much more tolerant, understanding, sensitive, less criticizing, and more loving towards their leader’s actions and decisions. We may not always agree or get what we think we want, but God’s Word instructs us to honor. *Hebrews 13:17

It is obvious that God has blessed us with ministers, staff, volunteers, leaders, and brothers and sisters with a thirst for Christ in this body that all adds up to VISION, GROWTH, and SOULS WON FOR CHRIST JESUS.

One would wonder why we would be looking for a new senior pastor at all, given the fact that God has already blessed us with gifted ministers, blessed us with our staff, our church body, our leaders, etc. It seems God has given us all that we need. But then, it’s not about what we need is it? Isn’t it about God?

God takes care of our needs, so if it’s about Him, aren’t our needs taken care of ? This search is about Him! We have to trust that he is the guiding hand in this search, not our wishes, but His will!

When we put a jigsaw puzzle together, it takes shape and begins to look beautiful as the pieces come together.

But it’s that last piece that completes the puzzle and connects ALL the other pieces

If we were to look at our church situation as a mathematical equation…it may look like this first example. This example is truly a blessing!

(OCC Full time Ministers)

DT + KB + SG + JR + DE + BB + RB +

(staff & part-time ministers) + (Elders) + (volunteers & congregation) =

VISION, GROWTH, SOULS FOR GOD’S KINGDOM

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Now, let’s look at this second equation.

NEW SENIOR PASTOR +

(OCC Full time Ministers)

DT + KB + SG + JR + DE + BB + RB + (staff & part-time ministers) + (Elders) + (volunteers & congregation) = VISION,

GROWTH,

SOULS FOR GOD’S KINGDOM

When we add the person that God’s hand is guiding to us to be our next Senior Minister, the results are MAGNIFIED. The new Senior Minister will be an addition to the first equation. Not someone taken from the first equation to be the Senior Minister. You see, it’s not about any one person. It’s not about the new Senior Minister; it’s not about any one part or any one person that makes up this wonderful equation that is our church.

It’s about God! It’s about how the equation looks….for His Glory!

Greetings to all from the Search Committee, by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

In accordance with our Search Committee covenant, we wish to provide a brief report to the church as to where the process is in our prayerful search for OCC’s next Senior Minister.

The Search Committee has been meeting regularly, receiving and following up on several resumes of interested applicants for the position of Senior Pastor at Owensboro Christian Church.

We are encouraged and excited about the interest of so many gifted, Spirit led Ministers of Christ interested in OCC.

The process in it of itself is one that is prayerful, methodical, and yes even tedious at times, requiring a lot of research work, reference checks, phone calls, contacts, prayer, etc.

Weeks ago, the committee prayerfully worked through the “how should we proceed” phase, and we are now able to methodically move forward with each resume in a manner that quickly identifies each Pastor applicant as a potential candidate…or not.

We have been blessed with a network through out the evangelistic/Christian community that provides us with names of solid and gifted ministers for the Lord.

We have been listening to many applicant cd’s, viewing dvd’s, visiting churches, reviewing resumes, categorizing each according to strengths, references, experience, gifts (both in the pulpit, building the body, and edification of the saints in their current and previous pastoral positions.)

Your Search Committee remains faithful in its purpose as stated in the covenant:

The Committee, under the direction of the Holy Spirit, will diligently search for the person the Lord has called to be the senior pastor of our congregation.

The time in which it takes through out the search process requires much prayer and patience. Please continue to pray for us. The amount of time necessary to complete our search for a new Senior Minister is in God’s hands. “Do not lay hands on anyone to hastily, 1 Timothy 5:22 (a)

We are confident that our God and Father has already selected whom He would have lead the flock at OCC, and that He will reveal to us in His time as to whom He has chosen.

It has been amazing to watch our leaders, ministers, and members pull together and grow together during this exciting time in our church. The Holy Spirit has moved so many to bear fruit in a way that has truly brought glory to God’s name.

We wish to acknowledge how blessed we are at OCC to have the team of ministers that we have, and praise God for the wonderful way in which He uses each one of them.

God has demonstrated to us, His love, and revealed to us, His guidance, time and time again through out our search for our new Senior Minister.

We wish to encourage your hearts, ask for continued prayer, and let you know that we are working and praying fervently in an effort to seek God’s face in the midst of our search. We are confident in saying that God is working, and His Spirit is moving through out this church body, and He will deliver in His time, and not that of our own, whom He has chosen to be our next Senior Minister.

Outreach Ministry, missions (local and global), church plants, new members, new believers and baptisms, outstanding worship, small groups, guest speakers, excellent ministers, great youth, WOW! All of these are signs of a healthy church and a growing body whose hearts are being transformed by a Living God on a moment by moment basis.

That Living God is Jesus, and it is in His name that we pray for His children at OCC in our Pastor Search efforts.

We also would like to offer a reminder of, and extend an invitation to join us on Sunday mornings @ 8 a.m. in the chapel for our weekly prayer gathering. It’s a great way to start your Sunday @ Owensboro Christian Church.

Yours in Christ, The Senior Pastor Search Committee:

Jack Barrett (OCC Member), Randy Bush (Elder), Dennis Gilmore (Elder), John Hitchell (Chairman Of the Elders), Darrell Humphrey (Elder), David Simpson (Vice Chairman of the Elders), and Carson Smith (OCC Member)***We pray that we support the search process as a unified body and ask for prayer for our leaders as scripture supports.

1 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus. Philippians 2:1-5 (NKJV)

Obey your spiritual leaders and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they know they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this joyfully and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit. Hebrews 13:17 (NLT)

Senior Pastor Search Committee Covenant

“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.”
John 15:7

PURPOSE

The Committee, under the direction of the Holy Spirit, will diligently search for the person the Lord has called to be the senior pastor of our congregation.

PROFILE

The Committee has prayerfully developed a job description, as well as a desired profile of gifts, qualifications, and leadership skills the senior pastor will need to shepherd our congregation into the future.

REPORTING TO THE CHURCH

The Committee will provide periodic progress reports to the congregation through the church website, bulletin, and during worship services.

IDENTIFYING CANDIDATES

The Committee will actively search for qualified candidates as well as consider those that are recommended to us for consideration by others. All potential candidates will be required to submit, in the form of a sealed envelope, a resume addressed to the Senior Pastor Search Committee, or email resume to phumphrey@owensborochristian.org.

IDENTIFYING ONE CANDIDATE

The Committee will consider each candidate that has submitted a resume. When the Committee, sensing God’s leadership, has narrowed the search to a list of potential candidates, they will be contacted for further exploration. Much is involved in this part of the process, i.e.) reference checks, listening to and observing sermons, background checks, interviews, etc.

PRESENTING CANDIDATE TO THE CHURCH

1) When the Committee has agreed on the best qualified candidate, we will recommend the candidate to the Elders for approval. 2) If the Elders approve the candidate, 3) they will recommend the candidate to the congregation for approval of employment via a congregational vote in accordance with OCC bylaws.

COVENANT

The Committee prayerfully covenants to discern and follow God’s will and to be faithful stewards of the church’s resources. To protect the candidates and their churches, as well as to avoid rumors and confusion, we must maintain complete confidentiality regarding candidates. Understanding our work to be a unique responsibility and privilege, we seek to honor God, our church, and each other as we carry out our charge.

We ask the church to join with us in this covenant and to honor the search process.

May God guide our hearts through out this process, according to His will and His Word!

by His grace,

The Senior Pastor Search Committee:

Jack Barrett (OCC Member), Randy Bush (Elder), Dennis Gilmore (Elder), John Hitchell (Chairman Of the Elders), Darrell Humphrey (Elder), David Simpson (Vice Chairman of the Elders), and Carson Smith (OCC Member)

Happy 2008!  Blessings to all by the grace of our Lord, Jesus!

When we intentionally release and empower the people of OCC to do ministry, both that person and the members of the congregation discover something very remarkable:  Satisfying service is an incredible fringe benefit of being a part of our church family.  The fringe benefit of service is usually discovered in the gratitude of someone you have served in the name of Jesus.

As we prayerfully search and wait for God to reveal to us who our new Senior Pastor will be at OCC, it may sound scary to you to consider that God may be asking you to step up and become a part of OCC’s church ministry.  But just imagine what our church would look like if every member was truly a minister for Christ. 

If you are hearing the call to serve and partner with us, to THRIVE,  let us plant these seeds of encouragement.  Remember:                                                                                   

1) Everyone has a place!   God has prepared a place for everyone in our church.  Wait for Him and ask Him where He wants you to serve.  Look for the miracle that God has in mind for you.  ” No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him.”  (I Corinthians2:9)                                                                                               

2) Everyone has a gift!  Each person is uniquely gifted and qualified for the opportunities that God will set before you.  Remember, God doesn’t call the qualified….He qualifies the called.

3) Everyone has a dream!  Encourage others to get in touch with God’s dreams for them!             

Having a part in introducing others to the saving knowledge of Christ, and then helping them to grow spiritually is the greatest joy you will ever know.

Let us thank God for bringing us here, together, at Owensboro Christian Church.  Let us forever look forward to the blessings that our God extends to us here.  We thank God that His Holy Spirit ministers to our hearts as the King of all Senior Pastors.

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks the door will be opened. Matthew 7:7-8

Greetings in Christ, brothers & sisters, members, and friends of OCC,

Beginning Sunday January 6th, there will be a prayer gathering in the chapel from 8:00a.m. to 8:20a.m. for the purpose of PRAYER ONLY for OCC, current ministries, & the Senior Pastor Search.
This is a PRAYER ONLY EVENT and will be available every Sunday from 8:00a.m. to 8:20a.m. until God reveals to us who our next Senior Pastor will be at OCC. An Elder, congregational search committee member, or Minister will begin each gathering with prayer to be followed by a period of quiet prayer time.
Come and go as you like, as His Spirit moves you, and your schedule allows. All are welcome!

The “prayer gathering” will not be a forum for info or updates.

“But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.”                                                                                                        Jude verse 20
***Scroll down to view previous posts.

Greetings to all by the grace of our Lord, Christ Jesus.

Welcome to our info site regarding the search for our new Senior Pastor at Owensboro Christian Church.

We welcome you to visit this site for updates and info from the Search Committee (now assembled). We will post updates at least every two weeks, the next post being December 28th. ( *look for that one)

We would ask for prayer and faith that God has placed us all where we are in this process to do His will and not our own. Be of one accord, abiding in the faith of our Father, thankful for His guidance and love, and that we all prayerfully seek His will in finding our new Senior Pastor.

Have a blessed Holiday Season in Christ,
The OCC Senior Pastor Search Committee

Jack Barrett (OCC Member), Randy Bush (Elder), Dennis Gilmore (Elder), John Hitchell (Chairman Of the Elders), Darrell Humphrey (Elder), David Simpson (Vice Chairman of the Elders), and Carson Smith (OCC Member)