Shuswap Community Church,
Here is an update on the status of our church since moving away from the multi-site model and also on our search for a lead pastor.
As a quick bit of context: a year and a half ago our previous lead pastor left. The role and tasks of Lead Pastor was then shared by the Board and our Executive Pastor, Andy. Through this time of transition, Andy led us exceptionally, with grace, love and humility. We are thankful that God placed him in that position and for all the work he has done.
In November the church reevaluated the multi-site model and voted to dissolve SCC Central - the central operating entity of SCC - as well as to plant the Sicamous and Sorrento campus churches. This also meant that the role of SCC Central Executive Pastor would be dissolved once Sicamous and Sorrento were fully autonomous. Both campuses are waiting on a few final orders of business to become fully autonomous and they are now handling these tasks on their own with new leadership teams in place.
Andy applied for the role of Lead Pastor in November. The Search Committee was formed towards the end of the year and has been working hard to discern what God has planned for His church. After much prayer and discussion, the Search Committee with support from the Board discerned that Andy would not be pursued for the Lead Pastor position. Andy was informed of this decision in recent weeks. Following this there was discussion of a possible future role for Andy at SCC; however, Andy informed the Board that it would be best for him to move on, and the Board supports Andy in this decision.
The Board would like to make it clear that Andy’s departure from SCC is not a resignation or a firing, but simply his role as Executive Pastor coming to an end as agreed upon when SCC Central dissolved. While our time with Andy has come to a close we would like to thank him for all his hard work at SCC for the last 12 years. He has served the Church faithfully and there will be a signicant void in our church without him here. Andy will be given compensation for the dissolving of his role, the details of which will be discussed by the board. If you wish to write an encouraging note or letter for Andy, you can drop those off at the Welcome Center over the next two weeks and we will ensure he receives them.
Andy is well-loved in this church and will be greatly missed.
In their time together, the Search Committee also considered another internal applicant in Kevin Hardy. The Committee had numerous meetings and spent countless hours in consideration, discussion, prayer and fasting as they sought to serve our church well. Through all this, the search committee recommended to the board Kevin Hardy for the Lead Pastor position. The Board is in support of this decision and would like to hold a period of candidacy effective immediately. In future weeks we will elaborate on this decision, the candidacy process, and have more to report on what the future may look like for SCC and what we believe His will is for our Church. Our bylaws state a minimum of 4 weeks notice to be given for a Special Resolution regarding a lead pastor candidacy; therefore, this is notice of a Special Business meeting on Monday, July 8th (changed from July 3rd), 7pm at the church building.
We know that this is a lot of information to give you all at once. For the sake of the church staff and you, the church, we wanted to provide this information to you quickly and in all transparency so that we might communicate clearly and move forwards in gratitude and anticipation. We are thankful for your patience, trust and faithfulness as we have prayerfully walked this time of seeking and waiting on the Lord for direction. We humbly ask for your continued trust but we recognize that there will also be questions — feel free to direct these questions to the Board (board@aplacetobelong.ca) or the Search Committee (search@aplacetobelong.ca).
Your Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
The Shuswap Community Church Board