Update from the Church Council (3/10/24)
Dear New Life Family,
Since Pastor Tim and Cheryl announced their intention to resign as Lead Pastor and Worship Director effective April 14, 2024, the Church Council has convened and met with Pastor Daniel Houck from the Assemblies of God district leadership with the New York Ministry Network (NYMN) to discuss the transition, process, and next steps.
The NYMN advised that our first step be to create and distribute a survey to our congregation that will allow us to hear from the heart of each person who calls New Life Church their home church. We would like to hear what you believe to be some of our church’s greatest strengths and areas for growth. This survey will also ask you to share the attributes you believe we should seek in a new Lead Pastor.
The Council has started a draft of this survey, will finalize it this week, and will distribute it beginning next Sunday, March 17. Hard copies will be available in the Welcome Center and with Greeters and Ushers on Sunday, March 17, and Sunday, March 24. We will also mail an electronic copy if you prefer to print and complete it at home. Completed surveys should be returned to the box in the Welcome Center by Sunday, March 31. All attendees may participate in the survey.
NYMN is responsible for providing resumes of interested, Assemblies of God-credentialed candidates to the Council. They have informed us that Pastor James Louis is interested in consideration for the Lead Pastor position. There is not an immediate promotion into the Lead Pastor role without going through the recommended process. Please understand that the Council is doing our due diligence to follow the process recommended by the NYMN and our discussion and consideration of candidates at this stage must remain confidential.
This process may take several months to complete. Once the Council has reviewed the candidate(s), conducted interviews and reference checks, and a majority of the Council votes in favor of a candidate, we will hold a special business meeting for voting members. We currently have 41 voting members, and they will be able to attend and cast their vote for the candidate the Council puts forward.
Going forward, we will share any relevant updates during the Announcements following the sermon and again via email on Mondays. Please make sure you are on our email list. If you haven’t been receiving the Church’s weekly emails each Wednesday and Saturday, please leave your email address at the Welcome Desk on your way out today.
One of the most important things you can do during this time is pray for our church, for our pastoral transition, and for unity within the Council and within the congregation. This is a vital activity for our church in this season. We will host a brief, weekly prayer session at 7:30pm on Thursday evenings via Zoom. We welcome and encourage you to join us. We will start this on Thursday, March 14. Please check your email or email council@newlife-saugerties.org for the Zoom link.
Please don’t hesitate to contact any of us with any questions you may have. You can email us at council@newlife-saugerties.org or chat with any of us before or after services each week. Thank you for your prayers and support.
With love and blessings,
The Church Council
Rachel Senor, Secretary
Jeannie Bach, Treasurer
Ruben Haro Montelongo
Jill Hummer
James Kimberly
Melissa Lasher
Joel Panthappattu
Since Pastor Tim and Cheryl announced their intention to resign as Lead Pastor and Worship Director effective April 14, 2024, the Church Council has convened and met with Pastor Daniel Houck from the Assemblies of God district leadership with the New York Ministry Network (NYMN) to discuss the transition, process, and next steps.
The NYMN advised that our first step be to create and distribute a survey to our congregation that will allow us to hear from the heart of each person who calls New Life Church their home church. We would like to hear what you believe to be some of our church’s greatest strengths and areas for growth. This survey will also ask you to share the attributes you believe we should seek in a new Lead Pastor.
The Council has started a draft of this survey, will finalize it this week, and will distribute it beginning next Sunday, March 17. Hard copies will be available in the Welcome Center and with Greeters and Ushers on Sunday, March 17, and Sunday, March 24. We will also mail an electronic copy if you prefer to print and complete it at home. Completed surveys should be returned to the box in the Welcome Center by Sunday, March 31. All attendees may participate in the survey.
NYMN is responsible for providing resumes of interested, Assemblies of God-credentialed candidates to the Council. They have informed us that Pastor James Louis is interested in consideration for the Lead Pastor position. There is not an immediate promotion into the Lead Pastor role without going through the recommended process. Please understand that the Council is doing our due diligence to follow the process recommended by the NYMN and our discussion and consideration of candidates at this stage must remain confidential.
This process may take several months to complete. Once the Council has reviewed the candidate(s), conducted interviews and reference checks, and a majority of the Council votes in favor of a candidate, we will hold a special business meeting for voting members. We currently have 41 voting members, and they will be able to attend and cast their vote for the candidate the Council puts forward.
Going forward, we will share any relevant updates during the Announcements following the sermon and again via email on Mondays. Please make sure you are on our email list. If you haven’t been receiving the Church’s weekly emails each Wednesday and Saturday, please leave your email address at the Welcome Desk on your way out today.
One of the most important things you can do during this time is pray for our church, for our pastoral transition, and for unity within the Council and within the congregation. This is a vital activity for our church in this season. We will host a brief, weekly prayer session at 7:30pm on Thursday evenings via Zoom. We welcome and encourage you to join us. We will start this on Thursday, March 14. Please check your email or email council@newlife-saugerties.org for the Zoom link.
Please don’t hesitate to contact any of us with any questions you may have. You can email us at council@newlife-saugerties.org or chat with any of us before or after services each week. Thank you for your prayers and support.
With love and blessings,
The Church Council
Rachel Senor, Secretary
Jeannie Bach, Treasurer
Ruben Haro Montelongo
Jill Hummer
James Kimberly
Melissa Lasher
Joel Panthappattu
Posted in Lead Pastor Search