There appears to be some speculation as to what the Staff Parish Relations Committee (SPRC) put down on their Appointive Recommendation for 2022. (The SPRC and the pastor make recommendations, the Bishop makes the final decision.) To clear up any confusion, I’m just going to share it with you. There were four options for the SPRC to choose from. They chose: “Our Mission can be met with our current pastor, but we would also be open to a new pastor who has gifts/skills in the area(s) of _______________.” In the blank the committee wrote “fresh perspective to re-invigorate and help the church to grow.”

I want to be clear that I support and am in complete agreement with this assessment. Even though I think I can still be effective here, I think a new pastor with a fresh perspective would be very helpful as First UMC bounces back from the COVID-19 pandemic.