HOW TO PRAY FOR THE SEARCH TEAM AND SEARCH PROCESS
Our desire is that the Holy Spirit will lead us together through the search process, from start to finish. Prayer is the key to the Team being successful. Our search for a pastor will be an exercise in spiritual warfare so we must “… pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” Ephesians 6:18 NIV
Pray for Each Member of the Team
Take time to pray for each Team member and their family, jobs, friends, health, and any other areas of personal life where Satan may attack.
Pray for the Future Pastor and His Family
We do not know who this man is, but God does. Pray that God would begin to turn his heart toward our congregation, and that he would finish well where he is currently serving. Pray for his wife and family. Pray that the Lord will put people around him who will confirm this new calling in his life and the life of his family.
Pray for the Future Pastor’s Current Church Family
Pray that their future season of pastoral transition will be one of Spirit-filled unity and favor from God.
Pray for Our Church Family
Pray that the Lord will guard our fellowship against every attack of the enemy and that unity and peace would be evident through the entire search process.
Update September 8, 2023
The Search Team has been meeting every Tuesday evening since June 30th (minus July 4th). We are using software, made popular during COVID, to allow team members that can’t be present in person be present online during the meeting. The software also allows us to distribute information quickly and communicate with each other between meetings. The meetings can also be recorded as needed.
We have received 30 applications. This group has been evaluated and narrowed to just a few candidates that fit the criteria in the Sr. Pastor job description and the scripture passages in Timothy and Titus. This group will be further evaluated through questionnaires, interviews, background checks, sermon evaluations and reference checks until God reveals the one to be presented to the Elders for their review.
Applications that are received after this point will be reviewed for basic qualifications. Those that meet the basic qualifications will be held, with their consent, to be evaluated if God does not reveal His man in the first group.
As part of the Team development process, we had Greg Hatteberg, who is part of the placement office at DTS and the chairman of a search committee that completed a search in March this year, come to a meeting to share his experiences and answer questions. We had Dr. Timothy Warren (Preaching Camp Ministries) meet with the Team (for 3 hours) to share his knowledge and experience with us in the area of sermon evaluation. These were both great sessions for the whole Team. The Elders also met with Dr. Timothy Warren for a similar session that is focused on the different types of sermons and their importance in the ministry of the church.
Thank you very much for your support. We have felt the effect of your prayers for us and the process. We ask for your continued prayer support as we search for God’s man in God’s time.
WHY DID PASTOR CURT RESIGN?
Having served the body of Faith Bible Church for 29 years and having wrestled with the Lord about
this significant decision for approximately one year, Pastor Curt sensed the Lord leading him to
resign. Obviously, there are opportunities that he would have loved to have been able to see through
to completion, but this would always be the case regardless of the end date. And Faith Bible
Church, just as every other church in existence, has her own challenges and struggles but none of
these were foundational in leading Pastor Curt to make the decision to leave.
WAS HE FORCED TO LEAVE?
The decision to resign from the Senior Pastorate of Faith Bible Church was solely the decision of
Pastor Curt and came as a surprise to the Board of Elders and Staff. Pastor Curt came to this final
decision while touring Israel in March and gave his official resignation to the Executive Commitee of
the Board of Elders at their first meeting upon his return.
WILL PASTOR CURT BE INVOLVED IN THE SEARCH PROCESS?
Pastor Curt is using this time like a sabbatical. He is enjoying the freedom to spend time with family
and pursue other interests that he has not been able to in the past few years. He has always been
available to help this body when needed. We are not intending to call on him except for the
occasional question or guidance on a special issue.
WHEN WILL WE HAVE A NEW SR. PASTOR?
It is impossible to say how long the search for a new senior pastor could take. Considering the time
for the search process and for a new Senior Pastor to relinquish his responsibilities at his
previous ministry and make a transition to Faith Bible Church the best information is that it takes
longer than six months and could take a couple of years.
HOW WILL WE FIND A NEW SR. PASTOR?
The Team will use the resources of different schools and seminaries that have job posting sites for
students and alumni to advertise the Senior Pastor opening at Faith Bible Church. Anyone can
recommend a possible applicant by having them submit a resumé (mentioning the person recommending
them) by email to SearchTeamAdmin@FaithBible.com. Having your name associated with the resumé adds
an extra special reference in the evaluation process. The Position Description is included below.
HOW WILL THE SEARCH PROCESS BE CONDUCTED?
Approving the new pastor will be a three-step process:
1. Evaluating Prospective Applicants by Search Team
The Search Team will evaluate prospective candidates and recommend one candidate to the Elder Board
based on complete consensus of the Search Team. The Search Team’s recommendation will be an
evaluation based on their resumé, questionnaires, reviewing sermons, reference check, background
check, visit of their church if possible, and personal interviews.
2. Elder Board Review
The Elder board will review the information gathered by the Search Team and determine if any other
information is needed. The candidate will be interviewed and reviewed by the Elder Board. Once the
Elder Board has completed their review, the candidate and his wife will visit the church for an
interview. This is not the formal candidating visit.
3. Approval by Church
Once a candidate has completed the formal candidating process with the church, the church will vote
on the candidate for final consideration as outlined in the church Constitution. The congregation has
the final decision-making authority regarding the Senior Pastor position. The Elder Board has
determined an 85% approval rate by the Congregation is needed to extend a call to the candidate.
WHAT IS THE CANDIDATING PROCESS?
The candidate (and family) will be brought to meet the church family for the official candidating
process. The church will have the following opportunities to get to know the candidate.
o Saturday Evening—Dinner meeting with the Elder Board and spouses
o Sunday Morning—Meeting with Adult Classes and preach in Worship Service
o Sunday Afternoon—Lunch with church
o Sunday Evening—Reception and Q&A with church
o Time TBD—Church Meeting to vote on candidate
o If approved, a call will be offered by the Elder Board
WHO IS ON THE SEARCH TEAM?
The Search Team has been intentionally made up of a broad representation of the church composed of
church officers, church staff, and individuals who have been involved at Faith Bible Church for many
years, as well as recent members of the church. The members of the Search Team are Sue Lord
(Secretary), Patti Calderon, LaJeanne Williams, Jeanine Holden, Elizabeth Greenwood, Dick Wick, Lyle
Hodge, David Urban, Russell Persky, Paul Kightlinger (Elder Liaison) and Dave Fournie
(Chairperson).
WILL THE CHURCH HAVE INPUT INTO THE APPROVAL OF THE NEW PASTOR?
Yes. When a candidate has been presented by the Elder Board to the church, the church will have an
opportunity to meet and interact with the candidate so they can have a basis for a final vote.
WILL WE HAVE AN INTERIM PASTOR?
Currently, we do not plan on employing an interim pastor to lead the staff or manage church
operations. We anticipate that the pulpit will be filled by guest preachers, our current pastors as
well as others who have been part of the Faith Bible Church family.
ARE THE SPECIAL SPEAKERS ELIGIBLE TO BE A CANDIDATE FOR SENIOR PASTOR POSITION?
The Elder Board has decided that they will not be eligible. It would be an unfair advantage to the
other candidates.
WHO CAN I TALK TO ABOUT THE SEARCH PROCESS IF I HAVE QUESTIONS?
You can contact the Chairman of the Search Team, Dave Fournie, with any questions. Also, any of the
members of the Search Team are available to provide information. Please be aware that confidential
candidate information cannot be shared outside the Search Team Members.
CAN I RECOMMEND SOMEONE TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THE SR. PASTOR POSITION?
Anyone can recommend a possible applicant by having them submit a resumé (with the person
recommending them mentioned) by email to SearchTeamAdmin@FaithBible.com. Having your name associated
with the resumé adds an extra special reference in the evaluation process. The Position Description is
included below.
POSITION DESCRIPTION: FAITH BIBLE CHURCH SENIOR PASTOR
A successful candidate for Senior Pastor will be, first and foremost, in love with Jesus and His Word. He will be an exceptional biblical communicator whose expository teaching will reflect Christ-like character in depth and integrity and will demonstrate full alignment with the church’s doctrine and practice. In addition, the Senior Pastor will be:
Specific Responsibilities
Job Requirements:
Our desire is that the Holy Spirit will lead us together through the search process, from start to finish. Prayer is the key to the Team being successful. Our search for a pastor will be an exercise in spiritual warfare so we must “… pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” Ephesians 6:18 NIV
Pray for Each Member of the Team
Take time to pray for each Team member and their family, jobs, friends, health, and any other areas of personal life where Satan may attack.
Pray for the Future Pastor and His Family
We do not know who this man is, but God does. Pray that God would begin to turn his heart toward our congregation, and that he would finish well where he is currently serving. Pray for his wife and family. Pray that the Lord will put people around him who will confirm this new calling in his life and the life of his family.
Pray for the Future Pastor’s Current Church Family
Pray that their future season of pastoral transition will be one of Spirit-filled unity and favor from God.
Pray for Our Church Family
Pray that the Lord will guard our fellowship against every attack of the enemy and that unity and peace would be evident through the entire search process.
Update September 8, 2023
The Search Team has been meeting every Tuesday evening since June 30th (minus July 4th). We are using software, made popular during COVID, to allow team members that can’t be present in person be present online during the meeting. The software also allows us to distribute information quickly and communicate with each other between meetings. The meetings can also be recorded as needed.
We have received 30 applications. This group has been evaluated and narrowed to just a few candidates that fit the criteria in the Sr. Pastor job description and the scripture passages in Timothy and Titus. This group will be further evaluated through questionnaires, interviews, background checks, sermon evaluations and reference checks until God reveals the one to be presented to the Elders for their review.
Applications that are received after this point will be reviewed for basic qualifications. Those that meet the basic qualifications will be held, with their consent, to be evaluated if God does not reveal His man in the first group.
As part of the Team development process, we had Greg Hatteberg, who is part of the placement office at DTS and the chairman of a search committee that completed a search in March this year, come to a meeting to share his experiences and answer questions. We had Dr. Timothy Warren (Preaching Camp Ministries) meet with the Team (for 3 hours) to share his knowledge and experience with us in the area of sermon evaluation. These were both great sessions for the whole Team. The Elders also met with Dr. Timothy Warren for a similar session that is focused on the different types of sermons and their importance in the ministry of the church.
Thank you very much for your support. We have felt the effect of your prayers for us and the process. We ask for your continued prayer support as we search for God’s man in God’s time.
WHY DID PASTOR CURT RESIGN?
Having served the body of Faith Bible Church for 29 years and having wrestled with the Lord about
this significant decision for approximately one year, Pastor Curt sensed the Lord leading him to
resign. Obviously, there are opportunities that he would have loved to have been able to see through
to completion, but this would always be the case regardless of the end date. And Faith Bible
Church, just as every other church in existence, has her own challenges and struggles but none of
these were foundational in leading Pastor Curt to make the decision to leave.
WAS HE FORCED TO LEAVE?
The decision to resign from the Senior Pastorate of Faith Bible Church was solely the decision of
Pastor Curt and came as a surprise to the Board of Elders and Staff. Pastor Curt came to this final
decision while touring Israel in March and gave his official resignation to the Executive Commitee of
the Board of Elders at their first meeting upon his return.
WILL PASTOR CURT BE INVOLVED IN THE SEARCH PROCESS?
Pastor Curt is using this time like a sabbatical. He is enjoying the freedom to spend time with family
and pursue other interests that he has not been able to in the past few years. He has always been
available to help this body when needed. We are not intending to call on him except for the
occasional question or guidance on a special issue.
WHEN WILL WE HAVE A NEW SR. PASTOR?
It is impossible to say how long the search for a new senior pastor could take. Considering the time
for the search process and for a new Senior Pastor to relinquish his responsibilities at his
previous ministry and make a transition to Faith Bible Church the best information is that it takes
longer than six months and could take a couple of years.
HOW WILL WE FIND A NEW SR. PASTOR?
The Team will use the resources of different schools and seminaries that have job posting sites for
students and alumni to advertise the Senior Pastor opening at Faith Bible Church. Anyone can
recommend a possible applicant by having them submit a resumé (mentioning the person recommending
them) by email to SearchTeamAdmin@FaithBible.com. Having your name associated with the resumé adds
an extra special reference in the evaluation process. The Position Description is included below.
HOW WILL THE SEARCH PROCESS BE CONDUCTED?
Approving the new pastor will be a three-step process:
1. Evaluating Prospective Applicants by Search Team
The Search Team will evaluate prospective candidates and recommend one candidate to the Elder Board
based on complete consensus of the Search Team. The Search Team’s recommendation will be an
evaluation based on their resumé, questionnaires, reviewing sermons, reference check, background
check, visit of their church if possible, and personal interviews.
2. Elder Board Review
The Elder board will review the information gathered by the Search Team and determine if any other
information is needed. The candidate will be interviewed and reviewed by the Elder Board. Once the
Elder Board has completed their review, the candidate and his wife will visit the church for an
interview. This is not the formal candidating visit.
3. Approval by Church
Once a candidate has completed the formal candidating process with the church, the church will vote
on the candidate for final consideration as outlined in the church Constitution. The congregation has
the final decision-making authority regarding the Senior Pastor position. The Elder Board has
determined an 85% approval rate by the Congregation is needed to extend a call to the candidate.
WHAT IS THE CANDIDATING PROCESS?
The candidate (and family) will be brought to meet the church family for the official candidating
process. The church will have the following opportunities to get to know the candidate.
o Saturday Evening—Dinner meeting with the Elder Board and spouses
o Sunday Morning—Meeting with Adult Classes and preach in Worship Service
o Sunday Afternoon—Lunch with church
o Sunday Evening—Reception and Q&A with church
o Time TBD—Church Meeting to vote on candidate
o If approved, a call will be offered by the Elder Board
WHO IS ON THE SEARCH TEAM?
The Search Team has been intentionally made up of a broad representation of the church composed of
church officers, church staff, and individuals who have been involved at Faith Bible Church for many
years, as well as recent members of the church. The members of the Search Team are Sue Lord
(Secretary), Patti Calderon, LaJeanne Williams, Jeanine Holden, Elizabeth Greenwood, Dick Wick, Lyle
Hodge, David Urban, Russell Persky, Paul Kightlinger (Elder Liaison) and Dave Fournie
(Chairperson).
WILL THE CHURCH HAVE INPUT INTO THE APPROVAL OF THE NEW PASTOR?
Yes. When a candidate has been presented by the Elder Board to the church, the church will have an
opportunity to meet and interact with the candidate so they can have a basis for a final vote.
WILL WE HAVE AN INTERIM PASTOR?
Currently, we do not plan on employing an interim pastor to lead the staff or manage church
operations. We anticipate that the pulpit will be filled by guest preachers, our current pastors as
well as others who have been part of the Faith Bible Church family.
ARE THE SPECIAL SPEAKERS ELIGIBLE TO BE A CANDIDATE FOR SENIOR PASTOR POSITION?
The Elder Board has decided that they will not be eligible. It would be an unfair advantage to the
other candidates.
WHO CAN I TALK TO ABOUT THE SEARCH PROCESS IF I HAVE QUESTIONS?
You can contact the Chairman of the Search Team, Dave Fournie, with any questions. Also, any of the
members of the Search Team are available to provide information. Please be aware that confidential
candidate information cannot be shared outside the Search Team Members.
CAN I RECOMMEND SOMEONE TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THE SR. PASTOR POSITION?
Anyone can recommend a possible applicant by having them submit a resumé (with the person
recommending them mentioned) by email to SearchTeamAdmin@FaithBible.com. Having your name associated
with the resumé adds an extra special reference in the evaluation process. The Position Description is
included below.
POSITION DESCRIPTION: FAITH BIBLE CHURCH SENIOR PASTOR
A successful candidate for Senior Pastor will be, first and foremost, in love with Jesus and His Word. He will be an exceptional biblical communicator whose expository teaching will reflect Christ-like character in depth and integrity and will demonstrate full alignment with the church’s doctrine and practice. In addition, the Senior Pastor will be:
- A shepherd who knows the condition of the flock and can communicate God’s Word to them with warmth, and clarity; one who is personable and loves the congregation.
- A visionary who can relate to all generations; appreciative of the Faith Bible Churches’ rich
- An experienced leader with the demonstrated ability to collaboratively set direction with the
Specific Responsibilities
- Model Christ-likeness in all interactions
- Foster worship of the one true and living God
- Actively collaborate on vision and direction with the elders
- Recruit, train, and equip both paid and volunteer workers to minister effectively and meet the
- Develop and oversee the churches annual budget
- Oversee all programs and ministries of the church
- Promote discipleship and champion outreach and evangelism
- Demonstrate and inspire others to serve the church and community
- Continue to grow in Christ-likeness and skills and ability to lead
Job Requirements:
- Minimum of five years of pastoral leadership experience
- Pastoral roles include diverse and effective ministries
- Earned a four-year college degree and a Master of Divinity degree or higher
- Mentor and coach leaders to become more effective in their ministries and calling and possess
- Humility to self-assess decisions and seek the help of others
- Conveys authenticity, transparency, and humility—and even brokenness—in his preaching and his
- Creates a high-functioning collaborative team with all staff members
- Engages diverse people and groups, and has the heart of an ambassador, sharing vision with
- Is secure and confident in his own calling but remains humble and approachable
- Creates a staff culture that welcomes constructive feedback