Search Committee Minutes-February 2023

The Lead Pastor Search Committee met on February 16, 2023.

• Brad expressed thanks to committee members for their incredible work
• Minutes from the last meeting were approved
• Email address search@firstchristianreformed.org has been established.
• Discussed Core Values Statement
  • Ad Board is considering leaving Statement as it currently is, allowing future leadership to finalize/refine/refresh.
• Search committee continues to follow and review CRCNA document “More Than a Search Committee”

• Discussed Sunday night meetings. Timing is to be determined.
• List of potential interview questions were available for review.

• Brad provided tour of “Pastoral Search” section of church website. Committee approved all content in this section.
• “Church Profile” section will be in text and graphic form in order to include all the needed information.
• “Church Life” will include scrolling pictures.
• Plans for going LIVE:
  • 2/17 and 2/18-Council will have the opportunity to review
  • Sunday, 2/19-Brad will briefly demonstrate the “Pastoral Search” section during both morning services.
  • Monday, 2/20-“Pastoral Search” section of the website will officially go live.
• Discussed having the Lead Pastor website information in the pre-service scrolling banner for the next few weeks.
• Paper copies of “Nominations for Lead Pastor” will be made available
• Lead Pastor ad will be posted on CRCNA, RCA, and Alliance of Reformed Churches websites. Ad will be submitted to Banner. Ad will be shared with Calvin and Western Seminaries.

• A sub-group of committee members will compile and edit interview questions for pre-interview, initial interview, and follow-up interview.
• A sub-group of committee members will create two types of letters to send to potential candidate(s)
  • #1 – Letter to candidate whose name was referred to Search Committee
  • #2 – Letter confirming receipt of application and next steps
• The committee will set up a Google Drive Sheet to serve as a repository for candidate applications that the committee can review in real-time.
• Lengthy discussion regarding next steps, application and interview processes.
• Closing Devotions and Prayerwere provided by Josh Soodsma “God’s Will vs Our Will”which was based on Proverbs 16:2-3 and Philippians 3:13-14.
• Meeting concluded with the committee re-affirming the importance of confidentiality.
• Next Meeting is set forTuesday, March 14, 2023, 5:30-7pm, with Pam Koelewyn responsible for devotions/opening prayer.