Pastoral Search Committee (PSC) Update
October 6, 2024
Here is a written update of the activities of the Pastor Search Committee that was presented to the church during the first Sunday in October. We would like all members to be informed, so this is for the benefit of those who were not present in the congregation when it was delivered.
The Pastor Search Committee has worked daily and met weekly to find the next pastor for Redland Baptist Church.
Our journey has been long and tortuous, but in many ways, not unexpected. Most of the literature and experiences from other churches made clear that this would be a one to two year adventure or longer which would include rejections by candidates as well as the church. We also knew that regardless of the person selected as Pastor, there would be many members leaving the fellowship. It was and remains our hope, that Redland will survive this season of transition. Redland remains God’s church.
Many in the church continue to hope for a full disclosure of the inner workings and decisions of the PSC. That will not occur for the following reason that we made known at the beginning of our labors. On May 7, 2023, each member of the PSC signed a “Covenant and Confidentiality Agreement” before God, acknowledging that we serve in a “position of highest trust and responsibility”; that “we accept this assignement as a priority in our lives”; and that “we will not be motivated by a personal agenda.” More specifically, we covenanted that: “[w]e will guard with utmost confidentiality all committee discussions and evaluations, dealing responsibly with privileged information. Of particular concern are the communications with candidates for the search, in addition to the need to prevent division and distrust.”
Each member has kept this covenant faithfully. We have done so principally to guard the reputations of the candidates and sources involved. Despite the conviction that everyone the PSC interacted with is a respected Christian, we have taken great pains to verify, cross-check and validate both favorable and unfavorable information extensively.
The PSC presented an Interim and a “Senior” Pastor candidate for the church’s consideration. However after preaching at Redland and interacting with church members, both candidates withdrew before coming to a vote.
Each member of the PSC, in light of his/her own convictions, has decided to step away from this mission of finding Redland’s next Pastor. We did not make these decisions lightly but we continued to make them with unity of spirit. Redland is now free to select a new PSC and move forward. Our main purposes for doing so, are to give Redland the space to heal and to preserve its unity. We will continue fasting and praying for God’s blessing to fall fresh upon the Body of Christ that meets on Muncaster Mill Road. We exhort each member of Redland to continue praying for God’s will for Redland Baptist Church.
Keep the Son in your eyes,
Your Former Pastor Search Committee
The Pastor Search Committee has worked daily and met weekly to find the next pastor for Redland Baptist Church.
Our journey has been long and tortuous, but in many ways, not unexpected. Most of the literature and experiences from other churches made clear that this would be a one to two year adventure or longer which would include rejections by candidates as well as the church. We also knew that regardless of the person selected as Pastor, there would be many members leaving the fellowship. It was and remains our hope, that Redland will survive this season of transition. Redland remains God’s church.
Many in the church continue to hope for a full disclosure of the inner workings and decisions of the PSC. That will not occur for the following reason that we made known at the beginning of our labors. On May 7, 2023, each member of the PSC signed a “Covenant and Confidentiality Agreement” before God, acknowledging that we serve in a “position of highest trust and responsibility”; that “we accept this assignement as a priority in our lives”; and that “we will not be motivated by a personal agenda.” More specifically, we covenanted that: “[w]e will guard with utmost confidentiality all committee discussions and evaluations, dealing responsibly with privileged information. Of particular concern are the communications with candidates for the search, in addition to the need to prevent division and distrust.”
Each member has kept this covenant faithfully. We have done so principally to guard the reputations of the candidates and sources involved. Despite the conviction that everyone the PSC interacted with is a respected Christian, we have taken great pains to verify, cross-check and validate both favorable and unfavorable information extensively.
The PSC presented an Interim and a “Senior” Pastor candidate for the church’s consideration. However after preaching at Redland and interacting with church members, both candidates withdrew before coming to a vote.
Each member of the PSC, in light of his/her own convictions, has decided to step away from this mission of finding Redland’s next Pastor. We did not make these decisions lightly but we continued to make them with unity of spirit. Redland is now free to select a new PSC and move forward. Our main purposes for doing so, are to give Redland the space to heal and to preserve its unity. We will continue fasting and praying for God’s blessing to fall fresh upon the Body of Christ that meets on Muncaster Mill Road. We exhort each member of Redland to continue praying for God’s will for Redland Baptist Church.
Keep the Son in your eyes,
Your Former Pastor Search Committee
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