Hello Grand Point family,

I am excited to share with you some changes that will be coming to our ministry.

Six years ago, I was in Denver taking some leadership classes at Denver Seminary and one of my instructors, who actually become an unofficial mentor, was talking one day about ministry succession and at what age should that occur. I fully understand that might be different for everyone depending on their situation, but it prompted Penny and me to prayerfully consider what is that time for us.I met with my mentor, Dr. Gordon McDonald, personally and he strongly encouraged me to consider a transition at the age of 61. But that time was not right for us, and for Grand Point, however the reality of a pending succession remained in our minds.

In 2024 I met with a group of large church pastors in Lancaster and we spent an entire day talking about succession. I read books and articles on succession. Penny and I met with a couple who did succession very effectively.

It was during this time we both came to the conclusion that the time is now.

During 2025, the Elders and I started talking seriously about a succession plan and my transition to a new area of ministry. We also formed a Succession Team that has been meeting and praying with us. The Elders and the Succession Team all agreed that this plan needs to be shared with the entire church so that we can all be a part of the process. And so today, we are sharing that plan. In a relay race this would be called, the passing of the baton. The reason for passing the baton is because the next runner is able to run faster and further than the runner who is currently carrying it.

What that means for us is that on June 1, we are beginning the search for the next Lead Pastor at Grand Point Church. This is not my resignation as much as it is about announcing the process we are planning to take. This transition will not happen overnight. There is no rush, in fact I would rather you not find the new pastor next month. I still have some distance to run!

I am so honored and privileged to be here at the beginning of the succession to invite you into the process. I am planning to be here during the entire process still serving as the Lead Pastor. At this time, I have no plans to go anywhere. There is not another church that I am going to, and there is no hard-deadline here. That might all change if you are still looking for a new pastor when I am 80 years old!

You need to know that Penny and I absolutely love this church. You have made Grand Point a delight to lead and God has done so much through you during our time here. For that reason, we plan for this to be our church as we transition to what is next. We have been here almost 14 years and there is no place we would rather be.

My overriding objective is to assure a smooth transition to the next Lead Pastor and I firmly believe that will happen.

Some of you might be thinking, great, I just started coming to GPC or I just became a member now this. If you are a first-time guest you are probably wondering what you just walked into. I would just like you to think of it this way, what is happening here is nothing less than a God-ordained transition within the family. And, this is a good transition.

I am not burnt out. There is nothing that happened. I am not being asked to leave, in fact, Grand Point Church is so healthy that in the spirit of self-interest it makes no sense to leave.

But, in the spirit of sustainability and the future health and growth of the church, it makes sense that we would begin the leadership transition process now, and it is a healthy transition that we will go through together. In fact, I will go so far to say that this is a great time to be at Grand Point Church! GPC is growing with record attendance, healthy finances, a well-functioning leadership team, and a robust next generation that God is raising up to change the world! God is going to bring a leader that will advance God’s work and lead us into an amazing future! A leader who will take the baton and run the next lap well. I am convinced that the best days are ahead for the church, and that will be realized if we do this transition well.

Penny and I are asking you to pray with us as we transition, and as the church walks this journey together.

 

Regular updates will be shared on our website and through our all-church email newsletter.