Transition Update – February 9
Hey Vineyard Family,
Here is an update on the search for our new Senior Pastor. After initially narrowing the field down to 20 candidates from about 100, we invited these 20 to respond to a series of survey questions. Holding your concerns and the values you shared in our original Q&A in mind, we evaluated these responses and did our best to vet candidates through web searches, listening to sermons, etc. The Senior Pastor’s Council (SPC) has selected four candidates to begin engaging with personal interviews. These interviews will be happening over Zoom between now and February 23. The SPC will proceed with vetting and prayerfully narrowing from here.
While this has been a slow process up to this point, we believe this round of narrowing will progress much more quickly. Since the beginning of this process, your input has been important to us. As always, you can submit questions, concerns, or any thoughts to the SPC by emailing questions@thevineyard.church.
Some have asked about the makeup and responsibility of the SPC. The SPC functions as the Board of Directors of the church. I (Reagan) serve as President of the SPC. Three others have served for over five years (Randy Dunn, Paul Llopis, and Renae Norwood). Three additional members were added with a one-year commitment to serve as a search committee and transitional board (Ben Blackwell, Gbade Obesisan, and Jenny Midyat). So, the SPC is the search committee. The official term for all SPC members is one year. For those who want to read more, you’ll find below the relevant section from our bylaws.
We will try to post an update after February 23.
Please continue to pray. Ask lots of questions. Share your thoughts. Let’s lean together on depending on the Holy Spirit so that we can agree together that this is the Spirit’s leading.
Blessings,
Reagan Waggoner
ARTICLE 7 | BOARD OF DIRECTORS
7.01 | Management
Power to manage and govern the affairs of the Church is vested in the Board of Directors of the Church (hereinafter referred to as the “Senior Pastor’s Counsel” or “SPC”), except for powers granted to members by these Bylaws. The terms “Senior Pastor’s Counsel” or “SPC” shall mean Board of Directors as required by the Code.
7.02 | Number of Members of SPC
The SPC shall consist of the Senior Pastor, and until changed by amendment of the Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws, such number of additional members as may from time to time be nominated and elected in accordance with these Bylaws, provided that the total number of members of the SPC shall not be less than three (3) nor more than seven (7).
7.03 | Term of Members of SPC
Each member, other than the Senior Pastor, shall hold office for a period of one (1) year or until his successor is elected, appointed, or designated herein, and may serve successive terms. The Senior Pastor shall be a full voting member of the SPC.
7.04 | Chairman of the Board
The Senior Pastor shall serve as the Chairman of the SPC and shall preside at all the meetings of the SPC. He or she shall have the power in his sole discretion to select an Appointee, who shall be endued with all powers of the Senior Pastor, in his absence, at any meetings of the SPC or Committees. Any reference to the Senior Pastor in these Bylaws shall, by default, make reference to his Appointee.
7.05 | Powers
The SPC shall have all of the rights, powers, and responsibilities of an SPC pursuant to the Code, subject to any limitations under the Code, the Articles of Incorporation of the Church, and these Bylaws. All corporate powers shall be exercised by or under the authority of the SPC. The SPC shall have final authority for affairs pertaining to property and other temporal matters as required by civil law for nonprofit corporations. In particular, the SPC shall be responsible for the acquisition and disposition of Church property, which includes the management of its financial resources. The SPC shall have the power to buy, sell, mortgage, pledge or encumber any church property and incur related indebtedness.
7.06 | Nomination and Election
The Senior Pastor shall nominate persons she/he deems qualified to serve on the SPC. In addition, the Senior Pastor may appoint a Nomination Advisory Team to report to the Senior Pastor regarding suitable nominees. The persons nominated by the Senior Pastor shall be presented to the SPC for election at a regular or special meeting. Members of SPC shall be natural persons, but do not need to be active members of the Church.
7.07 | Vacancies
The Senior Pastor shall nominate persons he or she deems qualified to serve on the SPC to fill any vacancy occurring on the SPC, and any position to be filled due to an increase in the number of members serving. A vacancy is filled by the affirmative vote of the majority of the remaining SPC members, even if it is less than a quorum of the SPC members, or if it is a sole member of the SPC. A person so elected to fill a vacancy shall be elected for the unexpired term of his predecessor in office.
8.02 | Election and Term of Office
The Senior Pastor of the Church shall hold office until he or she resigns, is removed pursuant to these Bylaws, or dies. In the event of a vacancy, for any reason, in the office of Senior Pastor, the SPC shall adopt a resolution establishing a Senior Pastor Selection Committee. The recommendation of the Senior Pastor Selection Committee shall constitute a nomination for the office of Senior Pastor. An election shall take place at a regular or special meeting of the SPC called for the purpose of electing a new Senior Pastor. A 2/3 vote is required by the SPC to appoint a new Senior Pastor.
All other officers of the Church shall be appointed by the Senior Pastor. The term of office of all offices other than that of Senior Pastor-President shall be one year; however, such officers may serve consecutive terms without limitation.