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.