FBCJC Transition Updates

Below are updates during our church’s transitional process with the latest update posted at the top. If you have any questions, please contact the church at 573.634.3603 or [email protected].

LEAD PASTOR CANDIDATE NAMED

January 28, 2023

In April 2021, the church entrusted the nine members of our committee with identifying a candidate for the lead pastor position. Today, the Pastor Search Committee is honored to recommend Reverend Melissa Hatfield.

The church helped us with our daunting task by voting to participate in an intentional interim process. The intentional interim process allowed our congregation to work through the grief of losing Pastor Sager. It also allowed us to reconnect with each other after months of COVID restrictions and to discuss the past, present, and future of First Baptist. The congregational conversations encouraged our members to think about the mission of our church and to figure out who we want our church to be in our community, our country, and our world. The congregation also completed a churchwide survey to, among other things, identify what each individual member values in a lead pastor.

Through the survey, our church expressed a desire for visionary leadership and a lead pastor who is a preacher/teacher and shepherd. Melissa Hatfield has been a pastor at First Baptist Church for 23 years. Over her time at FBC, she has grown and developed the youth and missions programs into ministries that are known and admired not just in our community, but by people throughout the world. Over the past 3 years, Pastor Hatfield, with the help of part-time and interim staff, led our church through one of the most difficult times in our church’s history. She did so with love and grace, while facing her own heartaches and challenges.

The Pastor Search Committee believes that Pastor Hatfield’s years of experience, passion for sharing God’s love, and devotion to God and our church make her the right person to serve as our next lead pastor. We encourage all members to review the information below and attend the conversations on February 4, 2023, to get to know Melissa’s philosophy of ministry and her vision for our church.

You may view Rev. Hatfield’s candidate profile here. A copy of this letter and the candidate profile will arrive in the mailbox of church members on Monday or Tuesday.

The Pastor Search Committee

Sondra Allen, Cari Collins (Chair), Margaret Craighead, Lory Feeler, Terry Heiman, Gary Hemphill, Glenna Honich, Todd Pridemore, and Rand Swanigan

Call Weekend Reminders

Saturday, February 4

9:00am – 10:30am | Deacons and Interim Pastoral Staff
11:00am – 12:30pm | Sunday School Leadership, Committee Chairpersons,paid and volunteer workers. A Zoom option is available for this conversation. Contact the church office for more information.
1:00 pm – 2:30pm | Congregation (Fellowship Hall)

More information about the first two conversations will be emailed to those groups specifically.

Sunday, February 5

Rev. Melissa Hatfield will preach in view of a call in our 9 am worship service. A special called business meeting will be held immediately following the February 5 worship service so the congregation can vote to call our next Lead Pastor. There will be no formal Bible teaching hour that morning; however, adult classes are welcome to meet after the business meeting if they so choose. There will be no classes for youth or children. Pursuant to our church constitution, in order to vote you must be a member of FBCJC and present at the business meeting. There is a Zoom option for those who would like to participate, but Zoom participants are not allowed to vote. Contact the church office for more information.

Voting Procedures

You must be present in the Sanctuary to vote. Voting will be by anonymous paper ballot. Ballots for each member will be available in the lobby before and after worship prior to the special called business meeting.

When you pick up your ballot, it will be in an envelope labeled with your name. The ballot itself will not have your name on it. If, for mobility reasons, you are unable to pick up your ballot, have a friend alert the volunteers at the ballot pickup tables, and someone will bring your ballot to you.

During the business meeting, you will be instructed on when to complete your ballot.

After the ballots have been collected, the meeting will go into recess for vote counting. The meeting will then be called back into session and the results announced. We will email all members later in the day to announce the results.

LEAD PASTOR SELECTED FOR RECOMMENDATION

January 19, 2023

Dear Church Member:

Thank you for your continued prayers over these past 22 months. It is our great joy to announce that the Pastor Search Committee has selected a final candidate to present to the congregation as our recommendation to be the next Lead Pastor of First Baptist Church. We will present our candidate to you during a call weekend which will take place the first weekend of February. The schedule for that weekend is below. (In case of inclement weather, the call weekend will occur on February 11 and 12.)

Saturday, February 4: Several conversations with the candidate will be held throughout the day at the following times:

9:00am – 10:30am Deacons and Interim Pastoral Staff

11:00am– 12:30pm Sunday School Leadership, Committee Chairpersons, paid and volunteer workers

1:00 pm – 2:30pm Congregation (Fellowship Hall)

More information about the first two conversations will be emailed to those groups specifically.

Sunday, February 5: The candidate will preach in view of a call in our 9 am worship service. A special called business meeting will be held immediately following the February 5 worship service so the congregation can vote to call our next Lead Pastor. There will be no formal Bible teaching hour that morning; however, adult classes are welcome to meet after the business meeting if they so choose. There will be no classes for youth or children. Pursuant to our church constitution, in order to vote you must be a member of FBCJC and present at the business meeting.

We will not announce the name of our final candidate at this time to allow them the opportunity to share the news directly with key individuals in the candidate’s life. Information about our candidate will be available to you on Sunday, January 29, 2023.

The Pastor Search Committee

Sondra Allen, Cari Collins (Chair), Margaret Craighead, Lory Feeler, Terry Heiman, Gary Hemphill, Glenna Honich, Todd Pridemore, and Rand Swanigan

LEAD PASTOR CANDIDATES – RECOMMENDATIONS and RESUMES

May 1, 2022

The Pastor Search Committee has started receiving resumes from prospective candidates for the Lead Pastor position. If you would like to recommend an individual, you may fill out a Pastor Search Recommendation form. Contact the church office at 573.634.3603 or [email protected] for a copy. The deadline is the end of day Tuesday, June 21, 2022.

Candidates may submit resumes to the following address: [email protected]

The PSC thanks you for your continuing prayers and support during this process.

The Pastor Search Committee
Sondra Allen, Cari Collins (Chair), Margaret Craighead, Lory Feeler, Terry Heiman, Gary Hemphill, Glenna Honich, Todd Pridemore, and Rand Swanigan

LEAD PASTOR SEARCH SURVEY

March 1, 2022

Dear Church Family:

The pastor search survey is now available for you to complete by clicking here. The responses to this survey are anonymous and vital to the work of the Pastor Search Committee. Your responses to the survey questions will aid the Pastor Search Committee in creating a church profile that describes FBC to potential candidates and a candidate profile for the committee to use when evaluating applicants.

Surveys are available now, and all responses must be submitted by March 21, 2022. You can use your phone, tablet, laptop, or computer to fill out the survey. Completing it online allows us to compile the data most efficiently, but if you cannot access this technology or require assistance with completing the survey, we can make special arrangements for you. If you need assistance filling out the survey or require a paper copy to complete, please contact Mary Huhn, Administrative Assistant, at 573.634.3603 or [email protected].

Your input is important. We ask that each and every person who considers FBC their church home complete this anonymous survey so the committee can seek and find a lead pastor who best meets the needs and expectations of our congregation.

Thank you.

The Pastor Search Committee
Sondra Allen, Cari Collins (Chair), Margaret Craighead, Lory Feeler, Terry Heiman, Gary Hemphill, Glenna Honich, Todd Pridemore, and Rand Swanigan

(A letter with the above content was also mailed March 1 to our congregation.)

February 27, 2022 – Conversation for our Future

We held our first Conversation for our Future at 9:30 am in the Fellowship Hall on February 27.

View the video of the large group presentation. After viewing the video, share your reflections on some guided questions here.

Mark your calendar for April 3 and May 1, the next two Conversations for Our Future at 9:30 am.

February 10, 2022

The Pastor Search Committee is charged by the church to seek and evaluate candidates for the senior pastor position previously held by Dr. Doyle Sager.

In order for the committee to choose a candidate who is the best match for FBC, we need the congregation’s help. There are 3 things we ask of the church:

Please participate in the 3 congregational conversations taking place this spring. The first is Feb. 27, in the normal Bible Study hour between first and second service at 9:30 a.m. These conversations are vital to prepare the church to grow faithfully and serve generously as God calls us into the future.

Please complete the pastor search survey in the month of March. This is an anonymous survey intended to gather demographic information about our congregation and preferences related to Pastoral leadership and worship. The data gathered from the survey will be used to prepare a church profile to show potential candidates who we are, and a candidate profile for the committee to use when evaluating candidates. This survey will be available both online and on paper in March. (COMING SOON!)

Please pray that the committee will keep Christ at the center of our search and will be able to discern God’s will for the senior pastor position.

Thank you,

Pastor Search Committee

JANUARY 2022

As we prepare to identify and call our next Lead Pastor, our Pastor Search Committee (PSC) wants and needs to hear from you. Please join us for these three Sunday Conversations for our Future.

February 27 / Past Focus
April 3 / Present Focus
May 1 / Future Focus

Each conversation will begin in the Fellowship Hall at 9:30 am (between our two morning worship services) with a large group presentation. Around 9:50 am, groups will move to smaller group conversations for the last 40 minutes to allow discussion and sharing. A member of the Intentional Interim Process (IIP) team will join each group to facilitate, listen, and share your thoughts with the IIP team and the PSC.

Along with your faithful prayers, participating in these conversations is one of the most significant ways you can help us move forward in identifying the Lead Pastor candidate God would have us call to partner together in living out our God-given mission to lead people into LIFE-GIVING relationships with Christ and each other.

AUGUST 29, 2021

Dr. Keith Herron began his tenure as our Interim Pastor. Dr. Herron may be reached via email or contacting the church office at 573.634.3603. Keith will preach most Sundays and will be in the office most weeks Saturday evening through Tuesday early afternoon before returning home to his family and residence in Kansas.

August 4, 2021

Herron family

The Transition Committee was approved by church vote on February 21, 2021, tasked by our constitution and the membership to arrange for pastoral leadership, including pulpit supply, while a new pastor is being sought. Since that time, we have met regularly to visit with church leadership, develop a job description for an Intentional Interim Minister, provide pulpit supply through the summer, and interview candidates. An Intentional Interim Minister will provide pastoral leadership to the congregation during the transition between pastors and serve as a consultant with our Pastor Search Committee.

The committee is pleased to announce Rev. Dr. Keith Herron as candidate for Intentional Interim at FBC JC and welcome him Sunday, August 15, to preach in each service in view of a call to serve as our interim. A letter was mailed August 2 to the membership of our congregation. This mailing includes more information about the candidate, what to expect during the interim season, and the process to vote on calling him as our interim.

Thank you for your prayers for this committee, the candidate, and our church. We are excited about this next chapter, and we encourage you to join us Sunday, August 15, for worship and the quarterly business meeting at Noon. If you have any questions, please contact any member of our committee.

Transition Committee Members
Sharon Nelson, Chair; Susan Bell, Mandee Carney, Gary Collins, Travis Ford, Stephen Mathis

JULY 2021

TRANSITION COMMITTEE UPDATE // We’ve been in a season of transition for over a year now at FBC JC due to COVID and our Lead Pastor’s cancer diagnosis and passing. While it may seem slow at times to some, we are taking significant and intentional steps forward on an important and lengthy journey as we follow the leading of God’s Spirit. Thank you, FBC JC family, for your continued prayers for our Transition Committee and our Pastor Search Committee. The Transition Committee has done an excellent job recruiting preachers for Sundays throughout the summer. In addition, the Transition Committee is busy interviewing potential candidates to serve as our intentional interim minister. Transition Committee Members: Sharon Nelson, Chair; Susan Bell, Mandee Carney, Gary Collins, Travis Ford, Stephen Mathis

PASTOR SEARCH COMMITTEE UPDATE // The 9 member Pastor Search Committee was elected by the church membership at a Special Business Meeting on Sunday, April 18, and began meeting on April 29. The committee is currently discerning what the pastor search process should be, assessing the needs of the church, coordinating efforts with the Transition Committee, and praying for God’s guidance and wisdom. The Pastor Search Committee looks forward to the appointment of an Intentional Interim Pastor who can assist with the pastor search process.
Pastor Search Committee Members: Cari Collins, Chair, Sondra Allen, Margaret Craighead, Lory Feeler, Terry Heiman, Gary Hemphill, Glenna Honich, Todd Pridemore, Rand Swanigan
Please continue to pray for both of these committees. We look forward to sharing more information as updates become available.

JUNE 2021

TRANSITION COMMITTEE // The Transition Committee spent April finalizing an interim pastor job description based on our informal assessment of our church’s current needs. Additionally, we created a series of interview questions to guide us in meeting with potential interim candidates. Currently, the committee is evaluating profiles of prospects who have indicated an interest in serving our congregation as interim. Our next step would be to select those who seem to be a “good fit” for an interview. Representatives of our committee recently met with the Pastor’s Search Committee to update them on our progress. Please continue to pray for our committee as we seek God’s will in filling the interim pastor’s position. (Committee Members: Sharon Nelson, Chair; Susan Bell, Mandee Carney, Gary Collins, Travis Ford, Stephen Mathis)

PASTOR SEARCH COMMITTEE // The following members were approved at the April 18 Quarterly Business Meeting to serve on the Pastor Search Committee: Sondra Allen, Cari Collins.
Margaret Craighead, Lory Feeler, Terry Heiman, Gary Hemphill, Glenna Honich, Todd Pridemore, Rand Swanigan. Cari Collins was approved as the chair of the Pastor Search Committee at the May 23 Special Called Business Meeting.

MAY 2021

TRANSITION COMMITTEE // The Transition Committee is immensely grateful for your support, encouragement, and prayers as we continue our work on your behalf. We are currently developing an interim pastor job description, which includes both preaching and administrative tasks, and fits our church’s current needs. We are also reviewing profiles of possible candidates. The following individuals have agreed to lead us in worship from May 30-June 27: Jeanie McGowan, May 30; James Preston, June 13 & 20; Todd Pridemore, June 27. Rod Maples and musicians will lead us on June 6 for Summer Music Sunday. Please pray for each of these individuals as they prepare to lead us. (Committee Members: Sharon Nelson, Chair; Susan Bell, Mandee Carney, Gary Collins, Travis Ford, Stephen Mathis)

PASTOR SEARCH COMMITTEE // The following members were approved at the April 18 Quarterly Business Meeting to serve on the Pastor Search Committee: Sondra Allen, Cari Collins. Margaret Craighead, Lory Feeler, Terry Heiman, Gary Hemphill, Glenna Honich, Todd Pridemore, Rand Swanigan. The committee will meet soon to select a chair and this will be brought to the church for a vote at a future Special Called Business Meeting (Date TBD).

MARCH 29, 2021

Our Enlistment and Transition Committees continue their important and constitutional work of providing guidance during a pastoral transition at FBCJC. Below are recent updates from each committee.

Enlistment Committee – After leading the process of establishing a Transition Committee, the committee is now preparing to bring to the congregation a slate of nominees to serve on the Pastor Search Committee. At the time of this writing, the goal is to bring these names to the Quarterly Business Meeting on Sunday, April 18. (Committee Members: Martha Jobe, Co-chair; Debbie Bledsoe, Co-chair; Sharon Anderson, Bill Baggett, Bill Heller, Adele LoGaglio)

Transition Committee – The committee is meeting regularly to assess the needs of the congregation during the interim /transition time. The committee also met with the pastors to learn more about needs and processes. The committee is currently recruiting supply preachers to begin May 30. This will provide Pastors Hannah Coe and Melissa Hatfield with some relief as regular ministry responsibilities pick up during the summer months. It will also provide the Transition Committee additional time to identify and nominate a candidate for the interim period at FBC JC. (Committee Members: Sharon Nelson, Chair; Susan Bell, Mandee Carney, Gary Collins, Travis Ford, Stephen Mathis)

February 22, 2021

On Sunday, February 21, at our Quarterly Business Meeting, the Enlistment Committee presented a slate of nominees to serve on a special committee, the Transition Committee. According to our FBC Constitution, “Pastoral leadership, including pulpit supply while a new pastor is being sought, shall be arranged by a special committee elected for that purpose. An interim pastor may be selected by the church upon recommendation of this special committee.” The Bylaws further state, “Special committees shall be named for specific purposes as desired by the church. These committees and their chair shall be elected by the church from its membership after the Enlistment Committee submits its nominations and opportunity is given for additional nominations. A Special Committee shall not exercise the functions of a standing committee.”

The following individuals were approved by the membership to serve on the Transition Committee: Sharon Nelson, Chair; Susan Bell, Mandee Carney, Gary Collins, Travis Ford, and Stephen Mathis. The committee will begin to meet and have conversations to learn more about what the church is needing for the interim or transition time before the church begins the interim search process. The Enlistment Committee will provide updates on their work to the congregation as needed. These updates will be shared via the Weekly, the Beacon, and on our website at fbcjc.org/transition.