Pastor Transition Process
Desert Church is currently in a pastoral transition. Pastors Blake and Christina’s last day will be Sunday, May 31. We are sad to see Pastors Blake and Christina and their family go, and we love them very much. Yet we believe that if God is calling them on, then He also has great things in store for Desert Church, and our best days of fruitfulness are ahead of us.
As a Foursquare church, we have a process for choosing a new pastor. When a pastor feels called to a new season, we move into a discernment process to determine the next pastor(s). Foursquare’s bylaws state that Lead Pastors are chosen and appointed by the District Supervisor. We’ve found this works best when we engage in a collaborative, discerning process. Specifically, the Northwest Supervisory Team and the Regional Pastor work with the Church Council, as representatives of the church body.
Here is what you can expect during this transition:
The District Supervisory Team, the Desert Church Staff, and the Church Council build a Pastoral Profile. This document, unique to Desert Church, explores who the church is, who our community is, and the qualifications and gifts we're looking for in the next pastor.
This document will then be used by the District Supervisory Team to vet potential candidates. We have a variety of conversations, with the goal of identifying a candidate(s) that would best serve the church well, based on the Profile, conversation and prayer.
Once the District determines one candidate (or couple), we will present them to the church council. The church council will meet with them.
Following this, the candidate and the church council spend a few days in prayer. The decision is a communal discerning process, led by the District Supervisor, or a member of his team.
Once a pastor is affirmed, we'll share this news with the church body. We'll also work with them on a timeline.
Celebrating Pastors Blake and Christina - Sunday, May 31
Please mark your calendars to be here for Pastors Blake and Christina’s last Sunday. This will be a special time of honoring and celebrating them, and sending them off will all our love. More info to come!
What will happen this summer?
We are unlikely to have a new pastor ready to start in June. This is common. The process is thorough and prayerful. Please pray with us! To serve the church well, we are considering having an Interim Pastor at Desert Church, starting in June. The goal is to bring consistency in leadership and care to the community of Desert Church. We’ll have more information soon.
The role of an Interim Pastor is to lead Sunday mornings, provide support for the staff, and be available for some pastoral care. An Interim Pastor helps create stability in a transition and ensures that the church is well cared for and led during this time. An Interim Pastor isn’t a candidate for the Lead Pastor role, but someone committed to caring well for the church in the interim time.
Foursquare’s Commitment to Desert Church
Please know that Foursquare is committed to serving Desert Church well, walking the church through this transition, and contending for God's very best to lead us into a more fruitful future. We are actively seeking God and working within our networks to identify the next Lead Pastor for Desert Church. Please pray with us!