Transitions
date posted: Jul 16, 2008
The summer is half over and it will be known as a summer of transition. We have been working through the time-involved process of reviewing resumes, reading applications, checking references, and holding interviews for a full time Adult Discipleship Pastor, Senior Teen Youth Pastor, and Children’s Pastor.
We announced the Rev. Sherrie Hittler as our hire for Adult Discipleship and Community Groups. She will oversee all discipleship, Sunday School, and Community Groups for adults. She and her husband John, will be moving to Spring Arbor soon for Sherrie to begin her duties on August 18. I look forward to having her on staff. The Hittlers found the Lord as adults and were nurtured in the Ypsilanti Free Methodist Church. They are former Free Methodist VISA missionaries to Mexico. For the last 10 years, Sherrie has been on staff at the Battle Creek Wesleyan Church and then a church plant in Lowell, MI that was birthed out of the Battle Creek church. Sherrie is an ordained Elder in the Wesleyan Church and has extensive experience in discipleship, counseling, spiritual formation, and life coaching. We are excited to have her on staff. John will seek work in home renovation construction.
We will be making an announcement regarding Children’s Ministry on or after July 27.
Our search for a senior teen youth pastor continues. We poured through a number of resumes that resulted in two interviews of two very good candidates. After much reflection and prayer, we or they felt that it was not the right match at this time. We now have another round of new candidates that we feel have promise. I am grateful for those who have prayed for the right fit for this important aspect of our ministry and community at SAFMC.
Transitions are hard. All of our new hires will have big shoes to fill. It is a real test of a church’s maturity in Christ – how they handle transition. We are thankful for the ministry of Pastors Rick Morgan, Doug Blume, and Becky Bell. Some may wonder if the transitions in youth, children’s, and community group ministry are related. I can assure you they are not. All three changes have come about for different reasons. The timing of so many changes at once has been purely coincidental.
I am grateful for those who have come to me directly to have their questions answered. I will be glad to continue to answer questions in the weeks to come.
We are trusting the Lord as head of our church to position us to faithfully follow his lead in the coming year. One thing has not change – the scope of our mission field and the opportunities that await us as we work and pray together to see as many men, women, and young people come to a transforming knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Prayer with us towards that end. The fall is fast approaching.
Pastor Mark