Hiring

At the beginning of last month we used this blog to explain the steps that had led us to consider adding a staff position at Furnace Brook Wesleyan Church. And, today we want you to know that we have posted the position and job description on the denominational job board and are actively looking for people to fill the position and help us with our mission of making more and better disciples for Jesus Christ. 
Last week we had a potluck meal at the Forest Dale Campus and discussed this development with regard to how it will effect that campus. It was a good discussion and I admire the people of that campus for the change they have endured and the change they are willing to go through now in order to make more and better disciples.
Here are some takeaways from that conversation:
1. We are all in agreement that as good as things are in Forest Dale now, if they are going to get better and if more people are going to attend and find Jesus in that place it will take more pastoral presence and leadership than Pastor Tate is currently in a position to provide.
2. Pastor Tate and the people of the Forest Dale campus have grown attached to each other and the congregation is not looking for someone to take their pastor's place and he is not looking for someone to take them off his hands.
3. An associate pastor could do a lot to move the mission forward at Forest Dale while enhancing the ministry of Furnace Brook Wesleyan at both current locations and any future ones. 
4. If you have any questions about the position, and I can not stress this enough, ask Pastor Tate. He will be honest and forthright with you. 
5. In a year's time we would like to be at two services in Pittsford and busting at the seams in Forest Dale and we have a vision for how this position could help us get there. But we are open, even at this point, to suggestions about how to change the job description, for instance. None of us in leadership have ever done this before and we are using all of our resources (including prayer) to make the wisest decisions we can but we would be fools to ignore good suggestions from the people of the church. So let us know what you're thinking.
6. Every big change in the life of a church feels like a catastrophe even if we believe it is a good catastrophe. There is always a period of uncertainty, a delicate season when we could still turn back, when we've counted the cost but can only guess at the possible benefits. That's where we are now, and we've been there before. And, if we remain obedient, we will be here again. It's one adventure after another when you throw your lot in with the Kingdom on the march.

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