BCC Heals

No News - Part 2

A couple weeks or so after BCC extended an offer to bring a new lead pastor to our church, work behind the scenes continues.

Based on my experience in recruiting, hiring and firing, I had become virtually convinced that BCC had been turned down.  Not so, according to two elders.  And contrary to my gut feeling, the word is that things continue to move in a positive direction.

That's where it stands today as far as I know.  Understandably, no official announcement will be made until there is a definitive answer either way.

News from "The Gathering"

We haven't talked about the Fosters or the new church they founded called The Gathering in awhile.  Many of us have followed the announcements if not checking it out in person. I have not been since the initial meeting at the Maxwell House.

Still, there is plenty of activity surrounding The Gathering, offering two services on Sunday mornings.  True to its "no bricks and mortar" charter, the church has moved several times since the summer - most recently to from a Green Hills movie theater to a Cool Springs movie theater.  Dr. Foster had a book signing at Davis Kidd Monday night for A Renegade's Guide to God. Here's an excerpt from his reflections a day later:

After so many years of having book-signings all over the place and doing interviews, you'd think I'd get used to them. But this night was special. This past year I have gone through a lot of controversy. A lot of public attention has been directed my way, none of which I've wanted nor could have ever anticipated...

...So if you're facing opposition and conflict because you stand for things that bring out the worst in mean, mad, or messed-up people, continue to stand. God will stand with you. And you'll be surprised. He'll come alongside. There's a little bit of renegade in all of us.

Today, Paula Foster sent out a "News Flash" email that announced an expanded children's ministry. An excerpt from that:

February 4th @ 10:00 AM begins a new journey for the older kids 5th grade and up at The Gathering! Be a part of this adventure as our leader and the team seeks to offer a place for our older kids to gather and begin and build a relationship with God and with each other. The leader of this great time with the kids is Steve McDuffie. The team who will begin with him are Erin McDuffie, Lindsey Foster, Sean and Paige McVity, and Kerri Boyte. Thank you guys for being willing to give of your time and talents to reach our older kids for Christ at The Gathering.

You'll remember that when Randy Holland questioned a prominent role for Lindsey Foster at BCC's student ministry Dave and Paula reportedly threatened to leave the church.

BCC and the Fosters have gone their separate ways and it seems like it was a lot longer than just 5 months ago when the church fractured. In that short time there has been a lot of progress.  Who would have thought this town was big enough for the new BCC and the Foster's Gathering?

No News

Going into the weekend, I think many of us were expecting to hear news about whether the offer out to a lead pastor candidate had been accepted or rejected.  But there is no news that I am aware of.

Furthermore, BCC staffers who were once chatty about the prospects of landing a new lead pastor are not talking about the matter recently.  Despite one of the most intellectual messages I've ever heard at BCC, was that a somber mood I detected from other staffers?

I could be reading much too much into "no news" and "no talking".  But it may be that this one got away.

Pastor decision nearing resolution

From several sources, it appears the offer to BCC's lead pastor candidate has reached a head and an announcement of some sort is imminent.

No one is saying to me which way this is going. Certainly, I respect the church leadership's desire to announce news at the right time in the right manner.

A friend in leadership told me: "Please respect our intentions to make decisions public in a way that best serves BCC."  I absolutely do.

We're all anxious to hear, but our responsible elders and staff will manage this process capably.  Still, I may watch for white smoke from the hills of Hope Park for a sign.

Lead Pastor candidate considers BCC's offer

BCC extended an offer to the candidate, well known to the church by now, who is currently considering whether he'll accept the lead pastorship of Bellevue Community Church.  Director of Administration/Operation Randy Thompson told me today that (the candidate) has "one foot in the boat and the other on the beach," adding that he understands the desire to take some time making such a big decision.

After entering the running last August, this current pastor of a church he founded became the front runner quickly.  As he was recruited, he delivered a weekend message in early December and  visited again  and took several questions from stage.  All along, interviews, meetings and then negotiations went on behind the scenes. That's over now, according to Thompson, and the decision rests with the Lead Pastor candidate. (I'm still choosing not to identify him by name since anyone concerned knows it. However it's not clear that he's told his current church about his intentions.)

Although church staff and the elder board hoped to get an up or down decision from him this past week, it will stretch into the middle period of this month.  While BCC is being patient, he knows "we can't wait forever", Thompson said with a smile.

A new year. A new pastor?

BCC welcomed the lead pastor candidate back this weekend, and he appears to be a step away from getting the job.

In a short sit down interview on stage, Dr. Mike Hueneke posed some questions that any of us would want the candidate to answer.  To paraphrase and sum up:

• What has led you to BCC?  Even though the situation was good at the church he currently pastors, he and his wife began to experience a spiritual stirring about 18 months ago. BCC approached him this past summer and he came to hear Vision Night in August. they've been drawn ever closer during the recruitment process.
• Family? Wife of 15 years and two children under 10.  He's especially concerned about a strong program to develop the church's next generation.
• Leadership style? Leadership is one of his primary spiritual gifts.  He prefers to work in a team, collaboratively, and to have a strong relationship with the staff and elder board.
• Vision for BCC?  He agrees with the vision articulated by the elders, emphasizing the importance of touching those who will never walk through the doors.

This last - an emphasis on missions - is remarkable for BCC.  The statement about reaching those who might never walk through the doors contradicts the ruling idea in the past in which "the most important people to BCC are the ones that haven't been there yet.  (Perhaps this could include missions, but that has not been an emphasis in the history of BCC I'm familiar with.)

The real question of the day is, "Where are we in the pursuit of a lead pastor?"  Mike Hueneke told me today that it's likely something will happen this week.  Everything with this candidate put him head and shoulders above others, including a local latecomer into the discussion this past week. So this weekend was about a contact that would lead to a decision by both the church and the candidate.

It's my impression, not something I've been told, that BCC will make a call to this candidate.  And to hear him speak so warmly about BCC and to see him warmly greeting people in the atrium leads me to believe he would accept.  I'd like to see it happen based on his teaching from the stage, the answers he gave, and also to the genuine authenticity he exudes in person.

Let's hope to hear more news later this week.

In the latest in a string of biblically rooted and hope filled messages, Bill West launched into BCC's new series this weekend.  The topic, Experiencing the more you long for, I heard that I can always have hope wherever I am.  It's so tough for me to own the idea that what I'm going through now is not the whole story - it's not all that God has in store for me. 

"Sorry for any confusion"

Oops...I was wrong. My reading of a message to volunteers yesterday gave me the impression that our lead pastor candidate would be taking unscripted questions from the stage.  Well, he's taking quesions, but they'll all be asked by one person. Elder Dr. Mike Hueneke will pose hand-picked questions.  That was made clear today in an email from Randy and an "important clarification" email from the Kids Place staff.

Forgive me for forgetting for just a moment that BCC does very few things without a script.  Now, if you'd like to ask your question of (the candidate), he'll be available during happy hour.  You'll find him an extremely pleasant and authentic individual.

I wonder why it's not possible, or acceptable, or appropriate to have an unscripted exchange where everyone can hear the questions and answers.  It worked really well during the cottage meetings.  Maybe it could be done in the afternoon, so those who are REALLY serious and interested could attend.  We've come a long way on the transparency front, but why are we scared to have a lead pastor candidate interact with the body as a whole?  It's like an episode of Inside the Actors Studio except James Lipton doesn't turn it over to the students at the end.  And everyone changes the channel. Why Why Why?

Wouldn't it be a more lively and authentic experience for everyone if we had an open and communal dialogue on a the positive side?  Is it only appropriate when there's a crisis?

Candidate returns to BCC this weekend

The front running lead pastor candidate we met at the beginning of December will be back at BCC the weekend of January 6-7.  From a message sent out to volunteers Wednesday:

(The candidate) will be at BCC again this weekend. He will not be speaking, but will be answering some of the top questions from the stage… that people are asking the elders. Then he will be available in the atrium in-between services and at "Happy Hour". The Next Generation Staff wanted all of our volunteers to be able to meet and speak with (the candidate) as well; therefore postponing January's meeting. Also, due to this fact of (the candidate) and the elders having a Q&A time from the stage, the service my go over a few minutes. We wanted to make you aware of that fact before you arrived this weekend. Please prepare a little extra time in your class preparations. Bill did say he will do his best to keep it to only 5 or 10 minutes over.

I'm still keeping his name out of this site but here's hoping that won't be for much longer. More importantly, I'm encouraged that the elders and staff responsible for the search have listened to feedback and incorporated an in person and unscripted Q&A into the process. I found this candidate extremely authentic and approachable in the short time we chatted so I expect this to solidify his candidacy with the membership.

Of course, not everyone will be thrilled.  But let's all keep an open mind and remember a few things:

• There are no perfect people and that applies to lead pastors. (Don't we know that by now?)
• This candidate is the only viable candidate at this time.  While the time issue should be a God issue, many have faithfully come to believe that sooner is better than later.
• BCC is on review for this candidate as well as the other way around.

The opportunity to participate in a Q&A with our lead pastor candidate is a privilege.  Let's remember that as well and that this exchange will be taking place in God's house of worship.

BCC New Year's Resolutions

Happy New Year everyone! May God's grace and peace be with you in 2007.

It's been some time since I posted here, but be assured (or annoyed) that I intend to continue blogging about my church home.

If you made it to church this past weekend, you heard an enthusiastic and relevant message from Director of Student Ministries Jeff Franks.  Jeff taught us How to Start the New Year.

Now that it's 2007, many are making those New Year resolutions.  As Jeff pointed out, a lot of them will center on making our lives better.  Another way of saying that I suppose is resolving to be healed or free of something.   We usually take this burden on ourselves.  But the Bible teaches that Jesus heals us (Mark 10: 46-52).

Maybe we, as the church that gathers at Hope Park, ought to beg God, rely on God and wait on God for "...This is God's year to act." (Luke 4:18-19)  I wanted to write about these elements of Jeff's message because it occurs to me that renewal is offered not only to me, but our church body.

These are some of the things I would beseech God for in the new year:

• A lead pastor that He's planned for BCC
• Tremendous growth in numbers.
• Tremendous growth in community that makes us feel like a small church
• Healing for those on staff that still carry anger towards David Foster
• That David Foster would personally ask for forgiveness from those he hurt through his actions
• Blessings for and through a new BCC ministry called Element
• Growth and blessings for the student ministries
• A board of elders that humbly accepts feedback and considers it while they prayerfully lead the vision of BCC
• That those who have been estranged from BCC will give it another chance or find another church home

I personally believe that God will advance His plan for the church this year.  May we be bold and strong enough to be His instruments.