FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS - January 2024
(Pastor Mike's transition, retirement and the CPNC)
When did Pastor Mike and Amy first come to SBPC?
Mike’s first day was February 2, 2003, and he was installed as senior pastor on February 16, 2003.
When is Pastor Mike retiring?
Pastor Mike has announced his desire to retire and will set a specific retirement date when a new co-pastor has been identified and called by the congregation.
What is a co-pastor?
The co-pastor is an installed pastoral position called by the congregation. In the case of retirement, the co-pastor model is used to transition pastoral leadership; when one co-pastor retires, the other co- pastor becomes the next senior pastor.
Why is Session recommending we identify our next senior pastor through a co-pastor process?
The primary advantage of calling a co-pastor is it tightens the transition period from one leader to the next. If we instead were to call a traditional replacement, we could not start that search until the position was vacant. In that scenario, Mike would need to retire from his position, we would have a temporary/interim pastor assigned to our church, and only then start the search for the next senior pastor. By calling a co-pastor, we eliminate the time lag between Mike retiring and the next pastor starting.
Where else has the co-pastor process been used?
In Southern California, the co-pastor model has been successfully used most recently in the San Fernando and Pacific Presbyteries. This is the first time a church in the Presbytery of San Diego has used this process, and Session is grateful to take a leadership role in demonstrating this approach to a pastoral transition.
How is the Co-pastor Nominating Committee (CPNC) selected?
The Nominating Committee, which works every year to nominate qualified elders and deacons, will be elected at the Congregational Meeting on Sunday, January 28. Their first task will be to evaluate names submitted by SBPC members/leadership, interview those people, and then prayerfully nominate women and men who represent the diversity of our congregation for the Co-Pastor Nominating Committee (CPNC).
How do I submit names of potential members to serve on the CPNC?
Like with elder and deacon nominations, members are encouraged to submit names either through paper forms available at the Congregational Meeting or online at the click here.
Who approves the members of the CPNC?
After the Nominating Committee has prayerfully identified CPNC nominees, they will be presented to and elected by the congregation at another Congregational Meeting. Session’s goal is for that meeting to occur on Sunday, February 25. Therefore, we are asking church members to submit names for potential members of the CPNC by Sunday, February 3.
Once the CPNC is formed, what involvement will the Presbytery of San Diego and Pastor Mike have with their work?
Presbytery’s Committee on Ministry has appointed the Rev. Tim Avazian of Lakeside Community Presbyterian to serve as liaison and assist the CPNC through the process. Pastor Mike is an ex-officio member of the Nominating Committee but will not be a member of the CPNC.
How will the CPNC find potential pastor candidates?
The conventional call process of the Presbyterian Church (USA) involves matching a church’s Ministry Information Form (MIF)—a standardized document articulating vision, mission, and strategy—with pastors’ Personal Information Forms (PIFs). In addition, there are networks of churches and agencies that will help us publicize the position, and potential candidates may make self-referrals by sending their PIF directly to the CPNC. We will have a page on the SBPC website dedicated to updates and information.
How long will it take the CPNC to identify the new pastor?
There are many factors involved, but our expectation is that the search will take between 6 and 18 months.
Once identified by the CPNC, how is the pastor approved by the congregation?
Like previous pastoral searches, the CPNC will prayerfully receive applications and interview potential pastor candidates. Once the discernment and credentialing have been completed, the final candidate will be presented to the congregation to meet and hear preach before approval through a vote.
Once installed, how long will the transition time be with Pastor Mike alongside the new pastor?
The transition time of co-pastors serving together is not prescribed by the PC(USA) Book of Order, but the overlap is usually weeks or months.
What will be accomplished with an overlap of Pastor Mike and the new pastor?
By having a short overlap period, a co-pastor can be better introduced to the variety of our programs within SBPC. We operate a Preschool with 100+ students. We partner with numerous non-profit organizations, including groups like Casa de Amistad and Pathways to Citizenship, which share our church offices. We have a 7-acre campus that is utilized seven days a week. It is important that our next Senior Pastor is prepared for all parts of their position and can be properly introduced to the various friends and neighbors who intersect our campus.
What will Session do during this season?
Session’s role in spiritual governance of the congregation is to monitor and measure the effectiveness of our Global End, which is to make disciples who are growing in love for God and others, and to listen to God and the voice of the congregation as they lead. Session will prepare the MIF and brief the CPNC. Session will provide regular updates of CPNC’s progress to the congregation via the SBPC website. Session will call a Congregational Meeting when a candidate is identified. Session will recommend terms of call (salary and benefits) to the congregation for its approval and address the challenge of rising housing costs in North County Coastal San Diego.
What will staff do during this season?
Pastor Mike will continue to lead the staff in setting and implementing goals that help us be fully devoted followers of Jesus in our intergenerational, missional, and transformational worship life, in our service to each other and the world, and in our small groups. Our staff of 32 full-time and 35 part-time employees has the blessing of working together for decades and welcoming new staff along the way. We believe God is at work and is helping us to build on a strong foundation for the next season of leadership.
What will the congregation do during this season?
If SBPC is your church home, you can help us transition well to new leadership and a new season of ministry. Remain faithful in prayer for each other, staff, Mike and Amy, Session, deacons, and the CPNC. Give financially with uncommon generosity. Attend Congregational Meetings and add your voice to our discernment and decision-making. Lead enthusiastically where God has called you to serve in the church and in the world. Gather consistently for worship and spend time alone with God to know his
leading and comfort in times of transition. Ask questions of Staff and Session (How can I pray? How can I help?) and stay up to date with communications from the CPNC, Staff, and Session.
