SPECIAL NOTE:
Click here to watch the January 10, 2010 video when Former Senior Pastor John Hampton shared his resignation with the FCC family.
Click here to read Former Senior Pastor John Hampton's Resignation letter.
Click here to email the Elder Team
or visit their web page here.
Senior Pastor Search & Selection Process
FCC Elder Team Update
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Dear First Christian Family,
The purpose of this letter is to provide you with a summary of the Sr. Pastor Search and Selection Process which I explained this past Sunday during the two morning worship services.
The Elder Team intends to provide you periodic updates to help keep you informed of the status of the search with respect to the process detailed below. The Elder Team earnestly seeks your prayer support as we work through the various steps of the process. The Elder Team would specifically ask you to pray for the Holy Spirit to lead us as we are currently working on the tasks detailed in section 4 below.
Sr. Pastor Search and Selection Process
1. Purpose: to ensure that a mature and strategic process is followed in a timely manner to secure the most qualified Sr. Pastor to lead First Christian Church. The entire process will be the focus of sincere and continued prayer.
2. Composition: The Elder Team will serve as the search and selection group per the church’s constitution and elder policies. The Elder Team may choose other members of the congregation to provide input and assistance as directed by the Elder Team.
3. Communication: The Elder Team will communicate to the FCC family at least monthly. Forms of communication may consist of, but not be limited to:
• Short announcements during weekend services
• Website
• Regular publications
4. Process:
a. The Elder Team function:
• Establish a profile for the person to lead FCC based on the Sr. Pastor responsibilities
and the Vision Statement
• The Elder Team will develop an interview questionnaire
• Current staff members will be considered first
• If a candidate from the current staff is not selected then an external search will be conducted
b. The Elder Chairman will appoint and lead a team to effect the external search
• The search team will meet at least monthly
c. Search and interview
• Assemble a packet that profiles the life, success and future opportunities at FCC
• Create a list of national leaders to contact for candidate suggestions
• Review all candidate applications and create a short list of candidates
• Personal phone contacts will be made followed by the FCC profile packet
• Review Sr. Pastor responsibilities, Vision Statement and Profile, before
conducting any interviews
• Request CDs and/or DVDs of sermons if not available on a website
• Phone interviews followed by a visit to the candidate’s church shall precede any
FCC onsite interview with the Elder Team
• Interviews at FCC will involve the entire Elder Team, Staff and others as directed
by the Elder Team
d. Selection
• Opportunities for staff and congregation to meet and engage a candidate will be provided
• Trial sermons and a congregational vote will not be required
• A compensation package will be created by the Elder Team prior to inviting a candidate
to become the next Sr. Pastor
• The decision to hire a candidate will be made by consensus of the Elder Team
• After a candidate accepts the invitation and communicates it to his current church, the Elder
Team will announce the selection to the FCC family
In closing, the Elder Team would like to express our sincere appreciation to you, the congregation, for your positive comments, prayers and support.
Your Servant in Christ,
Tom Clark
Chairman of the Elder Team
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Note: The above letter was originally read to the congregation by Tom Clark, Chairman of the Elder Team during both Sunday morning services on Sunday, February 7. This letter was also mailed to all First Christian Church members on Monday, February 8, 2010.
