Succession Team Update: September 2011

The Succession Team is meeting regularly to assure a thoughtful, caring and appropriate succession in pastoral, music and worship leadership at Ascension.

There are three phases to the succession plan:

Phase 1 – We have been in this phase since Pastor Chris arrived last November. During this time, Pastor Chris has been serving as associate pastor, working closely with Pastor Frank, learning about Ascension’s programs and ministries, getting to know people, and taking on a variety of responsibilities.

Phase 2 – Upon Pastor Frank’s return from Sabbatical and following a period of reflection, assessment and discussion, Phase 2 likely will begin early in 2012. During this phase, Pastor Chris and Pastor Frank will serve as co-pastors, with Pastor Chris assuming more responsibilities, and he and Pastor Frank more equally sharing the administrative, ministerial and other pastoral duties at Ascension. The length of Phase 2 is flexible, but probably will be about 12 to 18 months.

Phase 3 – The start and end of this final phase are not known at this time. They will be determined based on discussions between the pastors, Succession Team and the church council. During this phase, Pastor Chris will become Lead Pastor at Ascension and Pastor Frank will reduce the level of his involvement in Ascension’s day-to-day ministries. Deaconess Jan also will transition the remainder of her responsibilities. At the end of this phase, Pastor Frank and Deaconess Jan will retire from their ministries at Ascension and leave the congregation. There will be celebrations of their ministries and service to Ascension, and many opportunities to thank them and say our farewells.

The thinking now is that we will hire an interim pastor to assist Pastor Chris after Pastor Frank leaves, much like Pastor Pam did after Pastor Jim’s departure. During this time, a Call Team will be organized and the search for a new Associate Pastor will begin.

Questions and feedback
We want to be as open and transparent as possible throughout this time of transition, and we invite your questions and feedback at any time. You may talk with anyone on the Succession Team – Rick James, Chris Holloway, Jim Stukel, Deb Scheffler, Kathy Williams or either of the pastors. Or, you may speak with anyone on the church council, Peter Laper (Director of Operations), or any of the wing leaders – Jan Janzow, Kris Wiese and Becky Klotz.

Questions and feedback are important to the success of this process and critical to Ascension’s long-term health, stability and spiritual vitality. To facilitate a thoughtful, constructive feedback process, we will not pass along anonymous feedback. Instead, we are adhering to Biblical principles taught in Matthew 18:15-17, which encourage all of us to take our issues and concerns directly to the person involved. We will listen to you, but if we feel it would be beneficial for you to share your comments directly with the person involved, we will encourage you to do that.

Please pray for Ascension, Pastor Frank, Pastor Chris, Deaconess Jan, our church leaders, worship leaders and everyone who calls Ascension their spiritual home. With your prayers, help, patience and understanding, God surely will bless our efforts.

In Christ,
Rick James
Succession Team Lead