A message from the Hope Fellowship Board of Directors
This is a significant moment for Hope Fellowship. After much prayer, discernment, and gratitude for the ministry that has shaped our church, we have entered a formal pastoral search process. We want to keep our congregation informed, involved in prayer, and confident in the process ahead.
This page will be updated regularly. We are committed to transparency, and we want you to know where things stand.
This page will be updated regularly. We are committed to transparency, and we want you to know where things stand.
How the Search Works
We are committed to a thorough, prayerful, and well-resourced process. Here is how it unfolds:
Phase 1 — Foundation
Phase 1 — Foundation
- Pastoral Profile Completed — The Board of Directors develops a detailed profile of the gifts, character, and calling we are seeking in our next Lead Pastor.
- Search Firm Chosen — We engage Slingshot Group, a nationally recognized firm specializing in church staffing and pastoral placement, to guide and support the search.
- Search Committee Formed — The Board of Directors organizes and empowers a Search Committee to serve in an advisory role throughout the candidate review process. The committee is comprised of two lay leaders from each campus — one man and one woman — each meeting Elder qualifications.
- Pastoral Profile Integrated into Search — Active searching begins.
Phase 2 — Search Launch
Phase 2 — Search Launch
- Candidate Application Window — Slingshot Group opens and manages a formal application window, receiving and organizing submissions from prospective candidates.
- Search Committee & Slingshot Group Collaborate — The Search Committee and Slingshot Group work in close partnership, reviewing applicants and beginning initial candidate conversations.
Phase 3 — Evaluation
Phase 3 — Evaluation
- Slingshot Group Vets Applicants — Slingshot Group conducts thorough vetting and brings a qualified pool of candidates forward for the Search Committee to review.
- Search Committee Interviews Candidates — The Search Committee interviews candidates, gathers observations, and brings their feedback and recommendations to the Board of Directors for consideration.
- Board Enters Discernment Phase — With the Search Committee's input in hand, the Board of Directors engages in a prayerful discernment process with candidates.
Phase 4 — Discernment & Election
Phase 4 — Discernment & Election
- Board Nominates Candidate(s) — The Board of Directors brings its recommendation(s) forward through Hope Fellowship's formal governance process.
- Elder Discernment Process — The Elder Team engages in a formal discernment process with the nominated candidate(s).
- Candidate Election — A formal vote is held, consistent with Hope Fellowship's governance structure.
The Search committee
The Search Committee is organized and empowered by the Board of Directors to serve in an advisory capacity throughout the search. They are not the final decision-making body - that responsibility belongs to the Board of Directors.
The committee is comprised of two lay leaders from each Hope Fellowship campus - one man and one woman - each meeting Elder qualifications. Their role is to work alongside Slingshot Group to review applicants, conduct candidate interviews, and bring their observations and recommendations to the Board for consideration.
We are grateful for the men and women who have said yes to this important work on behalf of our church.
The committee is comprised of two lay leaders from each Hope Fellowship campus - one man and one woman - each meeting Elder qualifications. Their role is to work alongside Slingshot Group to review applicants, conduct candidate interviews, and bring their observations and recommendations to the Board for consideration.
We are grateful for the men and women who have said yes to this important work on behalf of our church.