Welcome!

This page will update members and friends of New Hope Church of the Nazarene as we progress with our pastoral search. 

On February 28, 2010, the New Hope church family bid farewell to Pastor Michael DeBoef and his family where he  continues in ministry as the Senior Pastor in Visalia, California.  We are thankful for the leadership and growth that we have experienced during the time he has served as our Senior Pastor at New Hope and we believe in faith and prayer that God will continue the work He has begun in us and our community.

The Church Board and Leadership Team meet regularly with the District Superintendent  to provide interim leadership and guide the church through the pastoral search process.  The following steps (see 10 Steps in the Calling of Pastor) are being followed and regular updates and communication are being provided to members and regular attenders.

Update – July 27, 2010 

• In a meeting with the District Superintendent on July 25, 2010, the church board reviewed detailed resumes on a total of eight potential candidates for the position of senior pastor.  Each of the resumes revealed truly gifted and committed servants of God; any church would be blessed to have any of the candidates as a senior pastor.  In an effort to focus in on the most promising candidates, the board reviewed the characteristics the church body identified in our town hall meeting on July 11, 2010.  We are seeking a senior pastor who 1) communicates effectively; 2) provides spiritual leadership; 3) is comfortable with cross-cultural and cross-generational ministry;  4) delegates and builds consensus; and 5) has extensive leadership experience.  By prayerfully considering each of the potential candidates against the set of characteristics, the board identified to the District Superintendent three candidates for further review.
  

• Although the names of the potential candidates remain confidential, some broad information about the group can be released.  The three candidates range in age from early 40s to mid-50s.  All are married, with children ranging from age seven through adulthood.  All three clearly display the characteristics our church is seeking, although their individual strengths are unique.

• Over the next several weeks the church board will be continuing to pursue further information on the three current candidates, with the goal of identifying one of them for a formal interview with the church board.  Please remain in prayer for our church board as they seek God’s will in finding the correct candidate to recommend to the church body.

Update – July 21, 2010

Pastoral Search

• District Superintendent Dr. Jeren Rowell met with the church board on July 15. Dr. Rowell presented information concerning six new possible candidates for pastor. The board discussed these candidates and a couple other names from our original search process for more than two hours. Board members are evaluating the list of candidates based on the characteristics garnered during our Oasis Forum on July 11. The board has also asked Dr. Rowell to acquire additional information regarding a few of the candidates so it can be reviewed prior to our next meeting later in the month. Please pray for the board and for God’s direction.

 Possible Interim Pastor

• The church board also discussed the possibility of having an interim pastor. The reasons the board feels the church needs an interim pastor include: the ongoing pastoral care needs of our congregation, follow-up of visitors, staff support, and preaching. The board asked Dr. Rowell to recommend someone who could be hired for 20 hours a week. If a suitable interim pastor can be found, the leadership team will be given the opportunity to meet with the person before their appointment by the district superintendent.  The process of hiring a new, full-time pastor will not be delayed by having an interim pastor.

Pastor Dan is Full-time Beginning August 1

• The church board unanimously voted to make Dan York a full-time employee of the New Hope Church. Dan is now our Pastor to Young Adults in addition to being our Pastor of Music and Worship. Congratulations Dan! We appreciate you and your ministry.

Update – June 20, 2010   

• Our District Superintendent has called our church to a time of prayer and fasting regarding the selection of a pastor.  Please make time each week to pray and fast regarding this important decision. 

• The Church will have a potluck Oasis-style meeting on Sunday, July 11th from 5:00-8:00 PM to solicit feedback from the congregation regarding the selection of our next pastor. (At the start of this meeting we will also hold our Annual Meeting and elect delegates to the District Assembly.) Then on July 15^th, the Church Board will meet with the District Superintendent to continue to review possible candidates.  We also continue to welcome any names of potential candidates you would like to suggest.  Please send names and contact information to the church office at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  or you may complete the online form on this web page and submit it.

 Update – April 5, 2010

• The newly elected church board met with our District Superintendent on Wednesday, March 31 to begin developing a profile of the type of pastor we feel the Lord would want us to have at New Hope. We also gave him information on the goals of the church so he can share them with pastoral candidates.
• We are seeking input from the congregation either by filling out the form on this website or by requesting a form. Ask at the Welcome Center or download a blank form. Please sign the form and return it to the church office.  The electronic form may be filled out and submitted here: Pastoral Suggestion
• The board will be meeting again with the District Superintendent on April 14 to discuss the input we've received.
  
  

The District Superintendent met with the Advisory Council and Leadership Team on Thursday, February 18, 2010.  The highlights of that meeting are as follows:

• Within one month, it is anticipated that approvals will be received by the District Advisory Board and the General Superintendent to change the status of the church so that a church board can be elected for 2010-2011.  This was accomplished and announced to the congregation by written communication from the District Superintendent on February 28, 2010.
• Pastor Michael will make recommendations to the Advisory Committee for appointments to a Nominating Committee for electing a church board.
• The Nominating Committee will work with the DS according to the Manual to nominate and follow the election process for the church board.  The Nominating Committee is appointed and will meet the week of March 1, 2010.
• The pastoral search process will continue with the newly elected church board.
• Interim leadership responsibilities will be covered by a Leadership Team consisting of Dr. Kendall Hughes, Rev. Rich Houseal, Evan Kinser, and Joe McLamb.
• The current church staff will continue to serve during this pastoral transition.

10 Steps in the Calling of Pastor

One of the benefits of being part of a denominational family like the Church of the Nazarene is a clearly defined and structured process for the selection of a new pastor.  We are guided by the Manual of the Church of the Nazarene in this journey.

                    
        

1.  Saying Goodbye to Beloved Pastor and Family – Because we are praying and trusting God and because the board and district superintendent are hard at work on our behalf, we as a congregation can focus on our departing pastor, who has served us faithfully and sacrificially, expressing to him our love and gratitude as well as covenanting to pray for him and his family as they obediently follow God’s leading for their lives.  

2.  Establish Interim Arrangements – The district superintendent will meet with the church board and staff to explain the transition process. Then, the board and district superintendent will establish interim arrangements to maintain as much continuity as possible. A regular and effective system of communication to the congregation will be established in order to provide opportunity for input and participation in the search process.
 
3.  Assessment of Church Status – The board and district superintendent will review membership, attendance, and financial records. Physical plant will also be inspected and assessed. Interviews with staff will seek their input. Congregational input will be sought by various means. Conversations will take place with the various constituencies of the church.
 
4.  Development of Profiles for Church and Potential Pastoral Candidates – Based on information gathering in step 3, the board and district superintendent will develop a local church profile, which will include expressions of the vision and the mission of the local church. The board and district superintendent will also develop a profile for potential pastoral candidates.
 
5.  Identification of Potential Pastoral Candidates – The district superintendent develops a list and researches potential candidates based on the local church profile. Congregational input will be asked for in developing a list of potential candidates. All candidates should be credentialed ministers in the Church of the Nazarene. The board and district superintendent will review profiles of the church and potential pastoral candidates comparing the profiles with the names collected in order to refine the list of names.  A short list of candidates will be created, and candidates will be prioritized.

• As we enter Step 5, the pastoral search process moves from open congregational dialogue to a very confidential and guarded consideration of prospects by the church board and district superintendent. This is not an attempt to be secretive and hide the process from the church. Rather, we believe we have an obligation to the pastoral candidates to be responsible with the future of their ministries. Most, if not all, of our prospects will have active, current pastoral assignments, and we would not want to unduly disrupt those ministries. Second, the church has asked the board to lead this process, and the board will need to focus on research, prayer, interviews, and decision-making without undue distractions.  Please feel free to communicate new names and information to the board. But know that the board will not be releasing a list of the names submitted, nor will it disclose information on the names until we are ready to submit a name to the congregation for consideration as pastor. Please do not ask board members to inform you of the list of names being considered, nor would it be appropriate to lobby or campaign in any way for any prospect.
• Step 5 may take several weeks. It is obviously a critical step, and we want to do it properly. We ask the church to join the board in prayer as we gather names of prospects and do the appropriate and necessary research on them.
  
  

• Spend time in prayer asking the Lord for guidance as we continue through the pastoral search process.
• Express your thanks and appreciation for our existing pastoral team and their ministry in the midst of our transition.

 
6.  Interview Process – Because most, if not all, of the candidates will be involved in current ministries, we will conduct this part of the process with great attention to confidentiality and sensitivity so as not to distract from or damage the current ministry of a candidate. The district superintendent alone will be responsible for contacting candidates, leading research efforts on those candidates and extending invitations for interviews. Interviewing begins with the first name on the prioritized search list.  A decision is made after the interview whether to present the name to the congregation or to release the name from the process and move on to the next name on the list.
 
7.  Board Nomination of a Candidate to the Congregation for a Vote – Two-thirds vote of the church board by ballot is required. Results are reported to the district superintendent who communicates the vote to the candidate. Candidate accepts or declines to allow his/her name to be presented to the congregation for a vote. The decision to let the congregation vote does not bind the candidate to accept an affirmative vote.
 
8.  Congregational Vote – Announcement of the vote will be made in two regular services prior to the vote. Communication about the candidate will be given to the congregation so that they may vote knowledgeably. Two-thirds favorable vote by ballot of church members of voting age (15 and older), present and voting, is required to extend a call.
 
9.  Response of the Candidate – The candidate has 15 days to decide whether to accept the call. His/her acceptance will serve as the final confirmation that we have been led by God in our decision. A declined invitation will indicate God calling us to make a correction in our decision, and the process will go back to the church board to interview another candidate.
 
10. Arrival of a New Pastor – The board and district superintendent work on the details of the new pastor’s move and starting date. The announcement of our new pastor is communicated to the community and broader Nazarene family. The district superintendent will conduct a formal pastoral installation service. We celebrate God’s continued faithfulness to His Church. We make our new pastor and family feel very welcome and help make their transition as smooth as possible.  We begin this new chapter in the life of the church with a spirit of joy and anticipation.
 
NOTES:

1. With confidence in God and in our local and district church leadership, we continually bathe this process in prayer. Suggestions for the nature and content of our prayers are provided as we progress along the journey. 
2. The board and district superintendent will provide official communications regularly regarding our progress and interim arrangements. Please do not expect the staff to be able to answer questions about the process. In fact, they are asked simply to refer to official updates from the board. 
3. Please do not contact pastors and ask them to submit resumes.  
4. If you have questions about the pastoral search process within the Church of the Nazarene, please contact a member of the church board.