FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

When can we expect a new Senior Pastor to be in place?

We cannot be certain of the date at this point; however, our intention is to have a candidate elected by the Congregation before Reverend Troy’s anticipated departure in July 2024.

How was the Pastoral Search Committee formed?

The members of the committee were selected from the current Board and members who applied.

What does the Pastoral Search Committee do?

The PSC’s purpose is to screen and select candidates for an open Senior Pastor position. The committee’s general responsibilities include contacting potential candidates, conducting interviews, prayerful discernment and narrowing down to the candidate who would best fill the position, and recommending that candidate to the church to fill the Senior Pastor position.

Why does the PSC comprise only seven members?

Our By-Laws state: “The Pastoral Search Committee shall consist of no more than seven (7) members, and no less than five (5) members. The composition of the Pastoral Search Committee shall include two current members of the Board. The additional members of the Pastoral Search Committee shall be appointed by the Board from among the Members of the church who are not also current members of the Board.” 

Why is Reverend Troy leaving?  Was he fired? 

Reverend Troy and his husband Walter have been talking for some time about their plans after Troy is able to retire in the summer of 2024. Reverend Troy marked his tenth anniversary as Senior Pastor at Resurrection in March of this year.  He was most certainly not fired.  His decision to retire and move to Walter’s hometown in Illinois is completely planned by Troy and his family.

When can we expect a new Senior Pastor to be in place?

We cannot be certain of the date at this point; however, our intention is to have a candidate elected by the Congregation before Reverend Troy’s anticipated departure in July 2024.

How many candidates will be presented to the Congregation for election?

One candidate. 

Why only one candidate?

The PSC process, as approved by the MCC denomination and guided by appointed Elders, is designed to be so thorough as to attract only the best-fit applicants for the position. Those applicants will be evaluated with the utmost discernment, using the expressed desires of Resurrection distilled from your own survey results to the degree that the most successful applicant will naturally rise to the status of Candidate for election by the church membership. 

What if that one candidate fails to be elected by the Congregation?

The pastoral-search process will start over. An interim or “gap” pastor might be assigned to serve Resurrection temporarily during this time. 

Do you know of any pastors who are going to apply?

Not at this time, as the search process has not yet reached the point of advertising the open position nor accepting applications. We have many steps to take before that can happen, such as creating the advertisement and the application packet.  We are working fervently to complete these tasks in as timely a manner as possible. 

Will the names of applicants be reported here?

No; the names and all other information regarding any and all applicants will be held in strict confidence by the PSC. The only name and other information regarding any applicant will be that of the sole Candidate presented to the Congregation for election.

What are the criteria the committee is using to assess applicants?

The PSC is currently in the process of creating a profile of the ideal candidate, based on the results of the congregational survey.  This profile will contain the criteria for assessing applicants.

Can the Congregation vote on the next Senior Pastor? If a pastor comes in to preach one Sunday and then the congregation votes on who would be the best fit.

Yes, the Congregation will vote on the next Senior Pastor at either the annual meeting or a special-called meeting for that purpose.  However, this will not be conducted in the manner suggested above.  We will be having guest preachers in the interim; however, those preachers are ineligible to apply for the Senior Pastor position.  The Pastoral Search Committee, as prescribed and sanctioned by Resurrection and UFMCC, will advertise and distribute recruitment materials, will receive and review applications from interested parties, will narrow that pool of applicants to the ones who best fit our profile, and will interview a selection of those, from whom the ideal candidate will be chosen and presented to the Congregation for election to the position of Senior Pastor.  

Is Pastor Troy’s departure date September 2023 or 2024?  

Reverend Troy’s last day as Senior Pastor of Resurrection is August 31, 2023.  

What is the definition of a Gap Pastor and Interim Pastor? Do they do the same thing? Who pays for the Interim or Gap Pastor? How long will they be here?

A Gap Pastor is someone who fills in for as long as necessary until the Senior Pastor position is filled.  A Gap Pastor can choose to apply for the position of Senior Pastor.  An Interim Pastor is someone who specializes in serving a congregation for a specific period of time during the pastoral search process.  This person has been trained specifically for this type of circumstance.  The Interim Pastor is ineligible to apply for the position of Senior Pastor.  Resurrection will compensate the Gap or Interim Pastor.  The amount of time either will serve Resurrection remains to be determined.  

Is there going to be a going away celebration for Pastor Troy?

As this will be determined by the Board of Directors and the Executive Team and not by the Pastoral Search Committee, we do not have information on such an event.  Please watch and listen for any information to be broadcast during Sunday services, on Facebook, and in the weekly Mobilizer.