COMPositions 29
CONGRATULATIONS to all our high school graduates and their families: Cole Brooks, Micah Crum, Peyton Henderson, Mackenzie Robinson, Ember Temple, and Alice Williamson. We are proud of their achievements and excited about their futures. Their display tables in the lobby on Sunday were very informative and beautifully decorated. And it was a blessing to see their families and friends celebrating this significant milestone. May God continue to bless and direct their steps as they begin an exciting new chapter of life.
LEAD PASTOR CANDIDATE WEEKEND: What an amazing weekend we shared together with the Feirtag family. The weather was absolutely perfect, the planned activities were simple & fun, and the participation was significant. I want to thank everyone who helped plan, host, or participated in any of these events. I believe God was orchestrating all the details to clarify and confirm Jim’s calling to NorthPark. Please allow me to provide some background and context for this conviction.
FIRST, the entire process has been so prayerful and providential. The Search Team was formed in August, 2020 right after Pastor Ben’s resignation. They started meeting weekly to pray, seeking the Lord’s direction. We received the Church Assessment Report from New Church Specialties on November 4th from which the Search Team developed the Pastoral Profile. The Search Team was commissioned on Sunday, January 3rd and immediately started receiving applicants and requesting recommendations. On February 24th the Search Team received 3 strong recommendations from several trusted leaders of the Church of God in Anderson, Indiana. After reviewing the information and some discussion it was unanimously agreed that Jim Feirtag was the top choice. The Search Team had an initial Zoom call with Jim on March 11th and was so impressed they set up a second Zoom call with Jim & Julia on March 25th. On April 14th the Search Team introduced Jim to the Governance Board prior to their initial visit on April 19th & 20th. During this visit, Jim & Julia, spent considerable time with the staff and had a long meeting with the Governance Board from whom Jim received their full and unanimous support. On April 28th the Governance Board had a follow-up Zoom call to discuss details and finalize a compensation package. This all culminated in the Candidate Weekend Visit, May 14-16, when the Feritags were introduced to the NorthPark family through several social gatherings and Jim preaching on Sunday.
SECOND, Jim met or exceeded every characteristic listed in the Pastoral Profile which reads in part: “This profile is intended to unify the Search Team and provide an initial template to sort through all applicants for the position of Lead Pastor at NorthPark Church. These are general characteristics considered to be best suited to meet the needs and expectations of our church family and lead us into a dynamic future. It is our opinion that the church needs a pastor with strong interpersonal skills, who can cast vision, and lead the church into the future. This is not an exhaustive profile of all that needs to be considered, but it does address the issues revealed in the assessment report.” Those characteristics included education, experience, theology, giftedness, and passion.
FINALLY, Jim brings the following unique and significant qualities to NorthPark which will enhance our outreach and effectiveness:
1. A Doctorate in discipleship with years of implementation and refinement.
2. Eighteen years of experience and proven success.
3. A visionary leader and team builder.
4. High endorsements by trusted leaders in the Church of God.
5. Leadership roles with the Church of God on a national & global level.
6. Energy & innovation of youth with the wisdom & experience of middle age.
7. Bridge generation, he has influence with the generations on both sides.
8. He has a heart for racial reconciliation and evangelism.
This Sunday, May 23rd, at 10:00 AM we will be conducting a Special Called Business Meeting, as required by our Bylaws, to approve and ratify the calling of Jim to be our next Lead Pastor. Our Sunday Morning Life Groups will be meeting from 9:30 to 10:00 AM and then dismiss to the sanctuary for this important business meeting. If you are not currently attending a Life Group, please plan to join us in the sanctuary at 10:00 AM. For those who may be out of town or unable to attend, absentee ballots are available in the lobby or through the Church Office and must be returned prior to the meeting on May 23rd.
I honestly believe Jim Feirtag is the Lead Pastor NorthPark needs, wants, and deserves. I am confident he will build on the legacy entrusted to you by those who have gone before and lead you to new heights in advancing the kingdom of God here in Meridian, Lauderdale County, and beyond.
For His Glory, Pastor Greg
LEAD PASTOR CANDIDATE WEEKEND: What an amazing weekend we shared together with the Feirtag family. The weather was absolutely perfect, the planned activities were simple & fun, and the participation was significant. I want to thank everyone who helped plan, host, or participated in any of these events. I believe God was orchestrating all the details to clarify and confirm Jim’s calling to NorthPark. Please allow me to provide some background and context for this conviction.
FIRST, the entire process has been so prayerful and providential. The Search Team was formed in August, 2020 right after Pastor Ben’s resignation. They started meeting weekly to pray, seeking the Lord’s direction. We received the Church Assessment Report from New Church Specialties on November 4th from which the Search Team developed the Pastoral Profile. The Search Team was commissioned on Sunday, January 3rd and immediately started receiving applicants and requesting recommendations. On February 24th the Search Team received 3 strong recommendations from several trusted leaders of the Church of God in Anderson, Indiana. After reviewing the information and some discussion it was unanimously agreed that Jim Feirtag was the top choice. The Search Team had an initial Zoom call with Jim on March 11th and was so impressed they set up a second Zoom call with Jim & Julia on March 25th. On April 14th the Search Team introduced Jim to the Governance Board prior to their initial visit on April 19th & 20th. During this visit, Jim & Julia, spent considerable time with the staff and had a long meeting with the Governance Board from whom Jim received their full and unanimous support. On April 28th the Governance Board had a follow-up Zoom call to discuss details and finalize a compensation package. This all culminated in the Candidate Weekend Visit, May 14-16, when the Feritags were introduced to the NorthPark family through several social gatherings and Jim preaching on Sunday.
SECOND, Jim met or exceeded every characteristic listed in the Pastoral Profile which reads in part: “This profile is intended to unify the Search Team and provide an initial template to sort through all applicants for the position of Lead Pastor at NorthPark Church. These are general characteristics considered to be best suited to meet the needs and expectations of our church family and lead us into a dynamic future. It is our opinion that the church needs a pastor with strong interpersonal skills, who can cast vision, and lead the church into the future. This is not an exhaustive profile of all that needs to be considered, but it does address the issues revealed in the assessment report.” Those characteristics included education, experience, theology, giftedness, and passion.
FINALLY, Jim brings the following unique and significant qualities to NorthPark which will enhance our outreach and effectiveness:
1. A Doctorate in discipleship with years of implementation and refinement.
2. Eighteen years of experience and proven success.
3. A visionary leader and team builder.
4. High endorsements by trusted leaders in the Church of God.
5. Leadership roles with the Church of God on a national & global level.
6. Energy & innovation of youth with the wisdom & experience of middle age.
7. Bridge generation, he has influence with the generations on both sides.
8. He has a heart for racial reconciliation and evangelism.
This Sunday, May 23rd, at 10:00 AM we will be conducting a Special Called Business Meeting, as required by our Bylaws, to approve and ratify the calling of Jim to be our next Lead Pastor. Our Sunday Morning Life Groups will be meeting from 9:30 to 10:00 AM and then dismiss to the sanctuary for this important business meeting. If you are not currently attending a Life Group, please plan to join us in the sanctuary at 10:00 AM. For those who may be out of town or unable to attend, absentee ballots are available in the lobby or through the Church Office and must be returned prior to the meeting on May 23rd.
I honestly believe Jim Feirtag is the Lead Pastor NorthPark needs, wants, and deserves. I am confident he will build on the legacy entrusted to you by those who have gone before and lead you to new heights in advancing the kingdom of God here in Meridian, Lauderdale County, and beyond.
For His Glory, Pastor Greg
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