Update from the Church Council (3/17/24)

Dear New Life Family,

Today we are distributing the survey we mentioned last weekend. As a reminder, we want to hear from the heart of each person who calls New Life Church their home church. This is not just for voting members but for all attendees. We would like to hear what you believe to be some of our church’s greatest strengths and areas for growth. This survey asks you to share the attributes you believe we should seek in a new Lead Pastor. When you have completed the survey, please return it to the box on the Welcome Desk by the front door. The last day to turn in your survey is Easter Sunday, March 31. The Council will then meet on April 9 to review and discuss all of the responses. Thank you in advance for participating in this important step in the pastoral search process. (Download and print the survey here.)

If you aren’t receiving our emails, which are now sent on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, please stop by the Welcome Desk to add your name and email to the clipboard or email us at council@newlife-saugerties.org.

We have changed the weekly prayer time. Instead of Thursday evenings on Zoom, we will meet at 9:45 a.m. here before the 10 a.m. service on Sundays starting next weekend, March 24. Please join us in person for this important time of prayer each Sunday.

Today’s update will cover two of the most common questions we have received so far about the process.

What happens after April 14 if a Lead Pastor is not selected by then? Who will deliver the sermons? Will there be an Interim Pastor?
The process will not be complete by April 14 and we will not have an Interim Pastor. The district does not allow a candidate for the Lead Pastor role to serve as Interim Pastor, so that is why Pastor James will not serve in this capacity.

Pastor Tim Janzen, Presbyter and Pastor Daniel Houck from the Assemblies of God district leadership with the New York Ministry Network (NYMN) will work with the Council to ensure that our pulpit is covered each weekend. We will have the Word proclaimed during every worship service. Before this transition was known, we had three special services planned in April and May, so not every weekend will need coverage.
  • 4/21/24 - The Walter Hoving Home Choir will be leading service
  • 5/5/24 - A Missions Service: Diera Ware, one of the missionaries we support who serves in Latin America, will be our speaker
  • We are working on scheduling a Compassion Sunday with our own Bob Lucido

The Church Council will lead all church operations and logistics until a new Lead Pastor is appointed. Please direct all questions to me and I will work with the Council to provide answers.

If Pastor James is hired as Lead Pastor, will we hire an assistant pastor to replace him?
The new Lead Pastor will get to select his or her staff. Their giftings, time available, and budget are likely to be part of the deciding factors.


Please don’t hesitate to contact any of us with any questions you may have. You can reply to this email 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