Three weeks ago the elders announced that we were considering Jay as the preaching minister and asked for the input from the entire congregation on this potential selection. We asked for your response in two weeks. We are very grateful for the many responses we have heard from you, and we thank you for sharing your views and concerns with us.

While the comments ran the full gamut from enthusiasm for the selection to total disagreement with it, the overwhelming response was very positive. Some were positive with reservations and concerns. There were no negative comments about the character or godliness of Jay or Mandy. Everyone who has had a chance to talk with them at all was very positive about them personally. All of the concerns we heard dealt with issues related to Jay’s age, experience, and perceived maturity. Every single comment was heard, appreciated, and carefully considered in reaching our decision. We are convinced that all of the concerns can be effectively addressed.

We think that Jay has both the desire and the ability to preach effectively. We believe that he has the ability to satisfactorily handle the functions demanded by the role. We also feel certain that he will continue to improve with time. Beyond basic abilities, which many potential candidates may possess, our primary concern in this selection deals with the man himself. We’ve had a chance to get to know Jay, and we believe he has an excellent knowledge of God’s word and complete reliance in that word to guide his thoughts, actions, and his preaching. We believe that he is a godly man, whose conduct within and outside the church will gain the respect of outsiders as well as the family. And we believe that Jay has the courage and ability to proclaim God’s word boldly as it is needed. We believe that he recognizes that his responsibility is first to God and only then to any man.

We believe that the elders have the desire and commitment to support him and help in his continued growth and development, both spiritually and in the skills required by the role of the preaching minister. We have committed to prayer and a specific development plan that will involve members in the congregation.

Considering all of these things, we have decided to proceed with the selection and have made an offer to Jay, which he has accepted. I want to re-emphasize that every one of your comments and concerns has been discussed in detail and plans are being made to mitigate each concern and help in Jay’s growth and development. I also want to remind you that all of us share in the responsibility to help this brother fulfill his role – just as we all share in the responsibility to help each other fulfill our roles and so please God and glorify Him and our Lord, Jesus.

We need to say a few things specifically to our young people. You are all extremely important to us. We realize that is some ways we may seem to be pulling the rug out from under you. We realize that you are just getting to know Jay and Mandy and some of you feel that you are now being ignored. That is not true at all.

We want everyone to realize that Jay will continue to be the Youth Minister until we get someone else to fill the role. Rather than being left without

a YM, for a few weeks you will have two. That will give everyone a chance to get to know one another before Jay assumes his duties as the preaching minister. During the time between now and this taking place, the speaking duties will continue to be shared by the men in the congregation. This includes Jay, but his responsibilities toward that preaching role will be limited to delivering a sermon now and then while continuing in his primary role as YM.

The YM selection team had identified several candidates before Jay was offered that position. One of their top selections is a man named Carter
Davis who is presently working as a youth minister in Coos Bay, Oregon. He is still interested in the position and will be here the weekend of December
11. The YM selection team is putting together a schedule for all of us to meet him and his wife and baby.

Understand that no offer has been made to Carter, nor is there any immediate plan to extend one to him – that depends on how we ALL judge his suitability and acceptability when he visits here. We want everyone, young and old alike, to get to know him as well as possible during that visit and to provide realistic, thoughtful assessment of his potential in the role. Again, everyone’s input is needed, requested, and will be heard and appreciated.

Any of the elders would he more than happy to discuss any questions you may have about any part of this announcement. Please feel free to contact us.

The elders