“Now that we have a pastor, what are we going to do about our other staff needs?” I’ve heard some version of this question asked many times over the past several weeks, as I imagine many of you have! Our church has been in a period of staff transition for quite some time, and all of us are ready to feel settled and confident about the leadership plan for our congregation.
I am delighted that we are starting to put some of those pieces in place. Our church newsletter has announced the additions of two part-time staff members. Rachel Greco joins us as Communications Manager to help think strategically about how we share who we are and what we are doing with both our membership and our community. She brings experience in print and online publishing and a great eye for design and content. On top of that, she has a warm and vibrant personality and is a lot of fun!
Our own Dusty Fuller has begun work as our part-time facilities manager. Dusty will lead us in thinking strategically about our property, evaluating our needs and prioritizing where resources and energies are best spent. He will coordinate maintenance efforts with our faithful volunteers and work towards creating proactive plans for the upkeep of our beloved space. Dusty brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in facilities management and also has the heart of a church member who is deeply invested in this place.
In my conversations with the pastor search committee around what additional staff support I would need if I became pastor, I named the desire for some additional administrative support in the areas of communications and facilities, and I’m grateful that the personnel committee has moved on securing these new roles so quickly. I feel a difference already.
I also asked the pastor search committee to consider carving out a portion of my compensation package for a someone else who would preach once a month. We have worked out an arrangement with Craig McMahan to preach monthly over the next year to give me some breathing room as I find my pastoral rhythms. I like to call Craig my “relief preacher,” but formally we will call him our Preacher-in-Residence. His pulpit presence will give me the opportunity to lean more heavily into my pastoral care and organizational leadership responsibilities on my “off-weeks,” though I will continue to lead in other areas of worship on those Sundays when I do not deliver the sermon. I know our congregation will continue to benefit from hearing varied voices from the pulpit, particularly Craig’s voice as a beloved and trusted leader in this congregation.
As to what’s next with ministerial staff hires? We are still discerning all of that, together, but be assured that the personnel committee and other church leaders will actively keep those conversations before us. In the meantime, I take comfort and hope in the statement that for a season was printed on our worship bulletin’s staff listing: “Every Member a Minister.” Thanks be to God!