Meet the Michaleks

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imageFollowing a process that has unfolded over years – – and a search that began in the spring of this year – – the search committee, deacons, and trustees are ready to recommend an associate pastor candidate to the church! Our church will vote on calling Tim Michalek as associate pastor of youth and worship at a special business meeting on October 19 at 4:00 PM. Additional information about when you can meet the Michaleks is available here.

A number of years ago, I was at a point where it was time for me to choose a topic for my doctoral thesis. My program was a doctor of ministry program that meant that I would be choosing an area of research that relates to pastoral ministry. Said another way, a doctor of ministry degree is supposed to be more practical than theoretical.

I chose to focus my study on the pastoral search process. I focused on pastoral searches because nothing is more strategic for a local church than the pastoral staff they call. This doesn’t mean that pastors are more important. Rather, calling pastors is critical because it does so much to influence the trajectory of a local church.

When the Word Leads Your Pastoral SearchMy choice of thesis topics was affirmed in several ways. First, I was awarded a doctorate when I completed thesis and my oral defense. After researching and writing for months and even years, that was no small matter! Second, Moody chose to publish a revised version of my work as the book When the Word Leads Your Pastoral Search.

But the most important way I think my work was affirmed is that my doctoral research has given me a special heart for the search process for our church. Through writing and researching, I have learned so much about the pastoral search process. I feel really good about this one. For a number of reasons, I believe our church family will agree that Tim and his family are a special answer to prayer.

By this Sunday, October 5, 2014, we will be distributing a schedule of when you can meet the Michaleks, as well as more information about the search. The first opportunity to meet the Michaleks is scheduled for the youth group (6th grade – 12th grade) and their parents for this Sunday, October 5 at 5:30 PM here at the church.

Let’s be praying in a special way over the next couple of weeks that God uses this time to encourage our hearts and the Michaleks as we seek God’s direction together.