That’s the way to go – always advance, never retreat.   All the members of the various committees and ministries of Hayden Lake Friends Church were recently invited to a planning session that has been dubbed as an annual “Advance.”  Similar meetings have taken place over the past few years as times for prayerful planning for the coming months of ministry at HLFC.

This recent meeting was devoted exclusively to one topic – the pastoral leadership transition that will be taking place when Pastor Bob retires.  His announced timeline is in June 2011, at which time he and Marilyn will have completed 40 years of service at HLFC.  What a tribute to their faithfulness and loyalty.

The agenda for this most recent Advance was not necessarily to consider the methods for calling a new senior pastor, nor was it to specifically identify the step-by-step process for doing so.  Rather, it was several hours devoted to sharing and prayer for God’s wisdom to lead the process and for unity in the body as the steps begin to unfold.  It was acknowledged that not everyone will be able to know everything in terms of considerations and action, but it is critical to let everyone know what steps will be taken for the purpose of inviting discussion along the way.  To enhance the process, five persons were named at the Advance as a Communication Team who will work alongside the Elders.  Their responsibility will be to help establish a variety of forums over the coming months whereby everyone will have opportunities to participate in general discussions and be kept apprised about the progress.
 
The Faith and Practice of the Friends Church, and HLFC specifically, says that the Elders are responsible “to recommend to the church the calling of the pastor and other ministers, along with their terms of service.”  The final decision regarding the Elders' ultimate recommendation will be acted on by church members only, in keeping with our Faith and Practice.  They recently took action to widen the search process to include some Elders and some non-Elders, as well as representation from young adults and women.  It is important to point out, however, that the final recommendation will come from the Elders after everyone has had opportunities along the way to become informed. 

Again, the goal is to have open communication using various tools; i.e. small group meetings, bulletin insert updates, newsletter articles and occasional brief video updates or interviews on Sunday morning.  From this point forward over the next several months, everyone has a specific assignment.  This assignment, whether a member or non-member who attends regularly, whether young or older, whether a recent addition to our regular attendance or one of long standing:  Each one, would you take seriously the opportunity to be praying for (1) a strong sense of unity among the body of HLFC as the process unfolds in calling a new senior pastor, (2) wisdom on the part of our appointed leaders (Elders and search committee, when it is named), and (3) that God will be working in the heart of that person who will finally be called to serve.  Some have dubbed this incoming pastor as “Fred and his wife.”  So your prayer can be specifically that God will be preparing Fred for his future ministry leadership at HLFC.

At the Advance there was discussion about how difficult this overall process will be for some.  Some in our HLFC family have never known another pastor besides Pastor Bob.  Change is almost never easy; it is almost always necessary; it often results in "loss" because the known is replaced by the unknown; and it is quite often followed by anger.  Change is loss of certainty.  The Communication Team and Elders want to be proactive and help each interested person feel like you are being informed to best of their ability.  The spring of 2011 may seem like a long way off, but these months of united prayer and planning can be some of the best months in the history of HLFC.  You are a key to helping this become true.

Here’s the next step:  anyone who is interested in visiting with Elders informally is invited to meet with them prior to their next regularly scheduled meeting, Thursday, March 19.  The meeting will be in Cogswell Hall at 6:00 p.m.   It will include a brief summary of the Advance that was held a few weeks ago, along with preliminary models for how HLFC might go about calling a senior pastor.  These informal meetings will be repeated from time to time over the coming months.  At 7:00 the Elders will be excused to conduct their regular agenda.  Members of the Communication Team will remain until 7:30 to visit with those who care to continue discussion. 

Maurice