Originally published in the Fall 2016 Quarterly Explorer.
As of this mailing of this newsletter, the Pastor Search Committee (PSC) will have held its 50th regular meeting since we were formed in October 2015. There has been excellent attendance by committee members throughout the search process – indicative of the commitment of all members to this process. Our friendship for each other has deepened and our respect for each other has increased. We have become a team.
We have just concluded video interviews with six individuals, all of whom we believe represent excellent candidates for the position of the sixth pastor of River Road. We have now narrowed the field to three candidates and have onsite visits with each scheduled prior to the first of September. In the meantime, visits, by a few members of the search committee, are planned for the home church of each candidate.
We have followed several fundamentals: 1) Read the scriptures, e.g., from Proverbs this advice, “commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established” and “The human mind plans the way, but the Lord directs the steps.” 2) Prayed that “God gives us wisdom” and that “not our will but God’s be done.” 3) received advice and wisdom from others. And now 4) are ready to make the decision we feel is the best and trust in God’s sovereignty. This is the hardest part, and we fervently hope we will make the best decision.
As we enter this critical time, we ask that the congregation continue to remember the committee and the candidates in your prayers.
I personally want to thank the Pastor Search Committee for the 50 plus meetings. What you are doing is most important to our church and her future. I look forward to the day you recommend a new person of God to lead us onward. Your efforts on behalf of the membership is so vital to where River Road Church will find it’s self in history! Your difficult work will be a blessing to us all! THANK YOU ALL!!
Thank you to each of you. I may not physically be in church anymore but hope to return one day soon. I long to return to the church and the choir. Who knew in September of 1971 that substituting for your soprano section leader would evolve into a 45 year love for River Road. I will pray for your wisdom and understanding and offer thanks for the patience of your families during this time. River Road has kept me near to the heart of God and been a major part of my adult life. I will be happy to get back into my black robe and white frock. Go with God and with his wisdom and we shall all be the recipients of the blessings that will unfold.