Search Committee Minutes-April 18, 2023

The Lead Pastor Search Committee met on March 18th, 2023.

Opening Devotions and Prayer led by Lisa VandeKamp “How to keep Christ at the center of the pastoral search process.” Reminder to pray for the future pastor and his family.

Opening Discussion

• Brad expressed thanks to committee members

• Brad emphasized the importance of confidentiality

• Minutes from the last meeting were approved

Search committee continues to follow and review CRCNA document “More Than a Search Committee”

Phase I – Preparation – complete

Phase II – Reflection – complete

Phase III – Nomination – in process

• Westminster Seminary ad has been posted
• Brad continues to have further conversations with submitted candidates

• Significant amount of time was spent by the Committee reviewing list of all names, status (Applicant/Nominations/Nominations no longer viable) of each and our next steps moving forward.

  • Reviewed Applicants

  • Reviewed Nominations

  • Reviewed Nominations that are no longer viable

• Discussed interview format at length

  • Justin offered conference room/equipment, likely at Avera on Louise (69^th and Louise)

  • Justin will coordinate a trial using MS Teams or WebEx

    • Lisa offered Eide Bailly as a back-up location

  • Next committee meeting will be at this location (Avera)

  • Plan two interviews (max) in an evening, this will allow time for candidate questions and for Committee to debrief/discuss

• General progression will be Round One interview, Round Two interview, recommend to Ad/Board Council – next steps yet-to-be-determined

• Discussed church staff members’ perspective on search process

• Briefly discussed Centennial Committee update

  • committee encourages having this valuable and most interesting information posted to the Church’s main webpage. Committee feels this information will be interesting and extremely educational to a Lead Pastor candidate.

• At next meeting – finalize interview questions, and practice with interview technology

Next Steps/Action Items

• Committee to continue reviewing CRCNA Search Committee Profile site and explore word-of-mouth for additional candidates

• Justin arrange/test Avera meeting room

• Committee members are to watch services and/or listen to sermons of applicants prior to our May 1^st meeting

• Review/fine-tune interview questions

• Amber to add tabs for Agendas and Minutes to Google Doc (and possible tab for Interview Questions?)

• Brad will reach out to applicants regarding possible interviews set for early May

Next Meetings are set as follows:

• Monday, May 1st, 5:30-7pm, (Avera on Louise)

  • Opening devotions – Amber Vanderwal

• Monday, May 8; 6:00pm

• Wednesday, May 10; 6:00pm