Worship Candidate Weekend
The search for new pastoral staff is an arduous process for the search team, the elders, and the applicants. Most applicants don’t survive the process either because we see that they are not a fit for our church or they see that we are not a fit for them. I’m happy to report that one candidate for Worship Pastor has survived to the final step in the process, the candidating weekend. David Smith and his wife Ruth will be visiting with us next week from Thursday through Monday for that final step in the process.
The search team and the elders have carefully scrutinized David’s application materials, we have interviewed David and Ruth several times by phone and by Skype, and we have interviewed several people who know him or who have worked with him. Everything we have learned about this couple so far says that they are a good fit for our church. The candidating weekend allows both us and the Smiths to confirm that in person.
David will meet with the worship team and lead their rehearsal on Thursday evening and then will lead us in worship on Sunday morning. He and Ruth will meet and interview with several teams and groups throughout the weekend and we will make sure they get at least a brief tour of the city of Portland and the surrounding areas. We have invited them to stay here for the Super Bowl and then they will fly home on Monday.
During the week following their visit, the elders will be seeking feedback from the people and teams that met them and from the whole church about the Smiths. We hope to make a decision by the following week about whether or not to invite David to join our pastoral team. If you are part of the Greater Portland family, your opinion matters so please be with us for worship on Sunday, February 7.
Meanwhile, keep reading and meditating in the Psalms. This week we will learn about—and practice—complaining to God in Psalm 13. Maybe you should practice ahead of time, just to be ready.