Real Life is in the process of finding a new lead pastor.  This search began soon after Pastor Vince Nelson stepped down as the lead pastor of RLCC in November 2011.  We have a detailed selection process that guides our church in finding a new leader.

The Lead Pastoral Selection Process

The lead pastoral selection process includes the district superintendent (Dr. Lee Woolery), the church board (see names below), and the Real Life congregation.  The district superintendent is charged with the responsibility of working with the local church board in the initial phases of the pastoral search process.  Suggestions for candidates may be received from the congregation and the board as well as candidates the district superintendent would recommend.

It is the responsibility of the district superintendent to gather information regarding any pastoral candidate.  That information includes an official resume, the responses to a detailed questionnaire initiated by the district superintendent, information gathered by the district superintendent from references submitted by the pastoral candidate as well as conversations the district superintendent might have with other individuals that would be helpful to the process. 

The district superintendent and church board working together will evaluate all the information that has been gathered to determine the top candidates.  A decision will then be made, selecting the top prospect from the candidates that have been identified.  The district superintendent will contact that candidate, extending an invitation for a formal interview.  The interview process will include a get acquainted congregational meeting where information about the candidate will be shared.  A part of this meeting will be the opportunity for members of the congregation to ask questions of the candidate.  The church board will conduct a formal interview with the candidate and spouse.  The interview process may or may not include the candidate preaching on a Sunday morning.  This decision will be made as part of the process.

Following the formal interview the church board, usually within a week of the interview, will make a decision as to whether or not to ask the candidate for permission to present his or her name to the congregation for a congregational vote.  If a congregational vote is agreed to, an announcement will be made to the congregation for two consecutive Sundays prior to the vote being taken.  The vote will occur as part of a Sunday morning worship service.  Those eligible must be official members of the local church and must have reached their fifteenth birthday.

The vote by the congregation requires a 2/3 majority affirmative vote to pass.  If the 2/3 majority is not reached the district superintendent and church board will resume the search process.  If the 2/3 majority is reached the candidate will be informed of the results of the vote.  The candidate will then have up to fifteen days to respond to the invitation of the congregation to accept the call to come as pastor. If the candidate does accept the invitation, he or she will immediately resign from their current assignment.  Plans will then begin to identify the first Sunday the candidate will be present to begin his or her new assignment.  If the candidate declines the invitation, the district superintendent and church board will re-enter the search process.

How long will the selection process take?
The search has already begun. There is no set timetable to have a new lead pastor in place.  We know that God will bring the right person to Real Life at exactly the right time.

How is this search different from the last time Real Life was looking for a lead pastor?
Last time (prior to selecting Vince Nelson as our lead pastor), we went through an intentional 9-month self-evaluation process.  This evaluation was led at the time by a “transitional interim pastor”.    We will not be going through that same evaluation process this time, nor will we need an interim lead pastor. Instead, we will leave the position open until a permanent lead pastor is found. Our leadership board and staff will continue to lead Real Life during this time.

Who are the current RLCC elected leadership board representatives?
Dale Misch (Board Leader - Church Board Secretary)
John Belcher
David Simpson
Stephanie Kaiser
Tim George
Cathy Patterson
Tim Wilson
Diane Tilford
Kurt Knutsen

How does this affect current Real Life staff?
The RLCC staff is made up of a team of pastors and support personnel. In the search for a lead pastor, we are looking for a qualified leader to join to our staff and continue the work that this team does.  Each of our dedicated staff members is doing a great job in their current roles and we foresee that continuing with a new lead pastor. No current or former staff members of Real Life are being considered for the lead pastor position. 

Dear Real Life Family,

Over the last year we have been experiencing what discipleship is like with the most important element of it being hearing and responding to God.  What I've found is that Jesus often uses situations and experiences, like speed bumps or ah-ha’s, what we’ve learned about as a Kairos, to get our attention.  God’s purpose in speaking to us often times is to address the deeper things in our life so that we can be made "more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image" (2 Cor. 3:18).  God was getting my attention in a profound way, revealing areas of my life that need deep healing, issues going all the way back to my childhood that I've not dealt with in 43 years.  After beginning the process of getting help to address those issues, I've come to the realization that in order to truly heal, I need to step out of ministry and take time to heal and focus on my family.  What I'm learning is that truly "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed." (Psalm 34:18).  God is very good and is the leader and healer of my life.  November 27, 2011 was my last Sunday as Lead Pastor.  If you missed last week, you can stop by our Resource Center to order a copy of the service DVD.  While this decision is very difficult as Real Life has been our home, I know it’s the right one for my family as well as for Real Life.  Over the last year I’ve seen both the staff and board grow in tremendous ways, hearing and responding to God.  They are precious people and full of the Holy Spirit.  I know that they will hear God and respond to him through this process. 

Thank you for your friendship and prayers.  My family and I will continue to pray for you, that God's Spirit will continue to be poured out in a powerful way in each one of your lives as we all grow in our ability to hear and respond to our loving Heavenly Father.

Below I leave you with this letter that has meant a lot to me recently, a letter that wasn’t written just for me, but is also written to you from our Heavenly Father, because you are truly priceless.

Your friend,

Vince Nelson

My Child,

You may not know me, but I know everything about you. Psalm 139:1

I know when you sit down and when you rise up. Psalm 139:2

I am familiar with all your ways. Psalm 139:3

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. Matthew 10:29-31

For you were made in my image. Genesis 1:27

In Me you live and move and have your being. Acts 17:28

For you are my offspring. Acts 17:28

I knew you even before you were conceived. Jeremiah 1:4-5

I chose you when I planned creation. Ephesians 1:11-12

You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in My book. Psalm 139:15-16

I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live. Acts 17:26

You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 19:14

I knit you together in your mother’s womb. Psalm 139:13

I brought you forth on the day you were born. Psalm 71:6

I have been misrepresented by those who don’t know me. John 8:41-44

I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love. 1 John 4:16

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you. 1 John 3:1

Simply because you are my child and I am your Father. 1 John 3:1

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could. Matthew 7:11

For I am the perfect Father. Matthew 5:48

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand. James 1:17

For I am your provider and I meet all your needs. Matthew 6:31-33

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. Jeremiah 29:11

Because I love you with an everlasting love. Jeremiah 31:3

My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore. Psalm 139:17-18

And I rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17

I will never stop doing good to you. Jeremiah 32:40

For you are my treasured possession. Exodus 19:5

I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul. Jeremiah 32:41

And I want to show you great and marvelous things. Jeremiah 33:3

If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me. Deuteronomy 4:29

Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

For it is I who gave you those desires. Philippians 2:13

I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine. Ephesians 3:20

For I am your greatest encourager. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you. Psalm 34:18

As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart. Isaiah 40:11

One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes. Revelation 21:3-4

And I’ll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth. Revelation 21:3-4

I am your Father, and I love even as I love My Son, Jesus. John 17:23

For in Jesus, My love for you revealed. John 17:26

He is the exact representation of My being. Hebrews 1:3

He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you. Romans 8:31

And to tell you that I am not counting your sins. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you. 1 John 4:10

I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love. Romans 8:31-32

If you receive the gift of my Son, Jesus, you receive me. 1 John 2:23

And nothing will ever separate you from my love again. Romans 8:38-39

Come home and I’ll throw the biggest part heaven has ever seen. Luke 15:7

I have always been Father, and will always be Father. Ephesians 3:14-15

I am waiting for you. Luke 15:11-32

Love, Your Dad, Almighty God!

Celibacy can be a choice in life, or a condition imposed by environmental encounters.  While attending a Marriage Encounter Weekend, Walter and his wife Peg, listened to the instructor declare, " It is essential that husbands and wives know the things that are important to each other."  He addressed the men, "Can you name and describe your wife's favorite flower?" Walter leaned over, touched Peg's arm gently and whispered, "Pillsbury All-purpose, isn't it? And thus began Walter's life of celibacy.

This is exactly why we all need help in relationships!  God designed us to experience the incredible gift of love and passion in marriage.  We learned last Sunday in the 4 week series titled S.O.S. (Song of Songs) that God wants us to love our spouse in three different ways as we looked at the Hebrew words for love in Song of Songs: Raya (deep friendship kind of love that shares life together), Ahava (the kind of love that your so committed to them, that you would die for them without thinking about it, having a heart that serves them always.  This is the kind of love God has for us), and Dode (to be passionate for another).  When we love with all three types of love, and approach it God’s way, we experience marriage relationships the way they were meant to be…and we are fulfilled!  Last week we also looked at dating, and how important it is for us to follow God’s lead and have a good name, have strong character, and look for a person who is the same. 

Over the next three weeks, we will grow with the couple in Song of Songs and see what the wedding looks like, what a deep intimate marriage full of passion looks like and how to have it, and how to make your marriage last a life time. This is one of the most exciting and important relational series we’ve done to date.  If you missed last week, check our website to watch last week’s message.  Come join us over the next several weeks, bring your friends and bring your relationship questions.  We’ll be asking you to write down the relationship questions you have on the Real Life card in your weekly.  Then we’ll be addressing them over the next several weeks in the Reality Blog and in the last week of this series. 

Let’s really seek our incredible Heavenly Father on this and learn how to experience the gift of love in a new fresh way!

In His grip,

Vince

So, schools's been going for awhile, fall is in full gear and the lazy days
of summer are behind us. So what does this mean for most of us....we're
busy!!! That resembles my life sometimes. As I was praying this week, I
heard the Holy Spirit remind me of this verse...

"Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in
them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing." (John
15:5 NLT).

What I really heard God saying was: "Are you resting and listening to me
Vince?  How is your marriage, parenting, and job going?

I realized I've been so busy that I've not been hearing God as much as I
need to. How I knew that...my stress level was going up in all three areas.
Not good!! Mainly not good because that's not God's heart for us, he's about
peace, healing and freedom!  He has good things for us. I know when I slow
down, when I listen to what our Heavenly Father says, then I'll no longer be
busy, I'll be really productive.   I'll be way more productive in my
marriage, parenting and job, having much healthier relationships and be more
effective in what I do.

So, how busy are you?  What's your stress level?  Can you hear your Heavenly
Father saying really good things?  He wants to interact with you and help
you, when you listen and respond.

One area that I sense he's speaking loud and clear on is dating, engagement,
getting married and staying married! That's why next week I encourage you to
invite those who want to get married and those who want to have an
incredible marriage to join us for our new series called SOS.

Another thing coming up is our Missional Community meeting on November 6th
at 6pm. This gathering is for people who checked the card that they're
hearing God direct them to get more involved, whether in Missional Community
leadership or other areas. Mark your calendars to attend.

In His grip,
Vince

Last week we looked at what the Apostle Paul says what the ultimate kind of motication for giving to God should be for us, the motivation Jesus had:

Looking back in history helps us see where we are going!

It started with Jesus, where he heard and responded to what the Father was
asking - John 5. Jesus then said ..."follow me" to Peter and to us in Mark
1:17, and he says imitate me, learn from me...hear and respond to what I say
and help others experience the same - Matthew 28:19-20.

The way Real Life started was two guys, Pastor Nelson and Pastor Miller, who
heard God say "put up a tent in Portage."  They responded to God and did
what he asked and began helping people know they could belong to God and
experience forgiveness and  freedom through Jesus.  As Real Life has grown,
it's always been about HEARING and RESPONDING to our heavenly Father; that's how ministries have grown and reached new people groups in Portage and the surrounding counties.

And so for us who call Real Life home, that legacy continues in even greater
ways.  In the past, what made Real Life grow was a smaller group of people
who were passionate about sharing Jesus's forgiveness and freedom.  Now, as
the staff, board and key leaders have been experiencing discipleship,
learning how to hear and respond to God and learning how to imitate Jesus,
together as a people of Real Life, we will all learn how to hear and respond
to God.  Here's what imitating Jesus looks like...

Love God - hearing and responding to our Heavenly Father, becoming more like
Jesus

Love People - experiencing life together, investing in one another &
extending Jesus to People of Peace

Serve the World - serving the needs of people around us so they can
experience God's kingdom on earth

Be praying this Vision Sunday, that we all hear and respond to God in greater ways and continue to read this blog over the coming weeks as we look at how we
can just be his priceless kids, partnering with him to extend his forgiveness and freedom to the people around us.

In the journey together,
Vince

Have you had a chance to walk on the beach this summer on Lake Michigan? It's one of my favorite things to do because it's in that peaceful environment where I'm able to slow down, abide, and hear what our Dad in heaven has to say to me. Cool stuff!  If you haven't done it, try it sometime!!

Sunday, September the 18th, is an important mile marker for us as Real Life. It will be the 2nd Vision day service we will have experienced  together since my family and I have been here. The thing I love about vision day is being able to celebrate the past while looking towards the incredible future God has for us!!!  Like my walk on the beach, our Dad has been speaking to each one of us, encouraging us to see ourselves as his priceless kids!  We've been learning that as we abide, we hang out with him, we become more like him and experience his incredible freedom from our fears, insecurities, selfishness, finding real lasting hope, understanding who we are is priceless to our Dad!  Then, this week, we'll learn how God wants us to re-present him to those around us, to share his love, his healing, and his hope in such a way they look at us and see God because YOU have your FATHER's eyes. Check out 2 Corinthians 3:17-18.

Vision Sunday is going to help us see how our lives, our families, our workplaces can change,  but as we link arms together, God will literally use all of us to change our community, bringing his goodness, healing, and great message that they can be his kids too in Jesus. This is what Jesus meant when he said pray in Matthew 6 "You're Kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven."

Be praying for next week because on the many beach walks I've taken, I've heard our Dad say he has some really cool stuff for you, for all of us. The kind of stuff that will change the course of human events and history as we hear and respond to him. Listen for it!  He's talking to you!

Love you guys,
Vince

I remember when my dad was teaching me how to drive when I was a young teen on a long vacation in the middle of Colorado, where there were really big hills with step inclines. After my dad was reasonably convinced that I knew what I was doing, he took a nap…bad idea!    He had me put the car in low gear going up the hill, but I forgot to take it out of low on the flat parts of the road.  My dad woke up when he started smelling something burning.  It was the transmission, it had gotten so worn down that you could smell it.  Not only that, but as we were climbing hills, we began to lose speed and it would slip, until finally it stopped.  He was not happy when he had to walk to get a tow truck.  

As I’ve learned from that lesson, doing life is a lot like that.  If we don’t live the way God designed us, we will eventually do damage to ourselves, even to others.  Part of doing life God’s way is learning how to rest regularly , to get restored and hear God.  This Sunday we’re beginning a series called Living Rest, Not Stress, where we will look at how to find rest in a busy life, and from that be productive the way God wants, getting rid of the stress that kills.  I encourage you, as we go through this series, read John 15:1-8, page 549-550 in the One Year Bible.  Jesus lays out for us the secret to living stress free lives and with little work on our part, becoming very productive.  And as you read it, see what God begins to talk to you about, then respond to him.  And bring a few people in your life to hear how to let go of stressful living to find a better way. 

A couple of things I want to also let you know about…this Sunday we’ll have a ministry fair in our Community Center after our Sunday morning services.  It’s a great time to see what classes will be offered this fall, what’s going on with Family Ministry (Children and Youth) and how to get plugged in to the various serving opportunities that exist at Real Life Community Church. 

Also, beginning September 11^th, we will be changing our 9:30am service time to 9am, to better accommodate the flow of traffic and drop off and pick up for our kids.  This will allow us to be more relaxed and connect more with each other in the mornings without having to quickly move our car or be jammed in the hallways. 

Let’s find out about this Sunday.  See you then!