Senior Pastor Search Updates
News, Messages, and Schedule
Comprehensive Search Process Details
The Senior Pastor Search Committee...
- Developed and followed a multi-step process that was reviewed and approved by our pastor search consultant.
- Read or reviewed five different books to ensure we followed a tested process, knew how to identify ministry red flags, and how to do behavioral interviewing.
- Conducted a congregational survey to determine characteristics of a new pastor that were important to our congregation.
- Developed a church profile and a pastor profile with input from our mission/vision, congregational survey, the teaching elders, the session, our consultant, and denominational leaders (best fit pastors).
- Denominational leaders of similar-sized PCA churches (best fit pastors) reviewed our church and pastor profile, and helped us with mock interviews before interviewing actual candidates.
- Once we started looking at candidates, we first listened to multiple old and new testament sermons, checked social media, read papers, and checked church websites.
- Successive behavioral interviews were conducted over Zoom or an in-person meeting. A voting process was used that required increasing consensus among the team as a candidate progressed through the process.
- The primary criteria used to evaluate candidates included: the pastor profile + the congregational survey + wisdom from “best fit” pastors in the PCA who lead similar-sized churches.
- For our finalists (we had four), we went on site visits to observe the candidates in their ministry context and have a meal with the candidates and their spouses.
- Then, we ranked the candidates and processed them in order.
- The top candidate then came to Christ Pres for an undercover visit to discern if God might be calling him to our church. He met with a few key leaders at CPA and the church.
- Our finalist then went through a background check and multiple reference checks within and outside his church.
- Our recommended candidate received the unanimous consensus of the committee and was our #1 choice.
Updates from Session & Search Committee
February 9, 2026 – Email Message from Senior Pastor Search Committee
The committee shares a fifteenth update that after months of prayer, listening, and discernment through a comprehensive review process, the Senior Pastor Search Committee has unanimously identified our top candidate—someone who has accepted the committee’s call to move forward as the next senior pastor at Christ Presbyterian Church, pending the vote of the congregation. More details and dates are included in the email link.
January 9, 2026 – Video Message from Senior Pastor Search Committee
The committee shares a fourteenth update that they have entered the final phase of the process, working closely with its top-ranked candidate to discern God’s calling, with plans to introduce him to the congregation, schedule a preaching Sunday, and eventually hold a congregational vote if that call is confirmed. The committee asks for continued prayer and patience as they trust the Lord’s leading and hope to share another encouraging update soon.
November 20, 2025 – Video Message from Senior Pastor Search Committee
The committee shares a thirteenth update that they have narrowed the field to four candidates and is completing in-person visits to each of their home churches, giving the team valuable insight before moving forward. After these visits, the committee will prayerfully rank the candidates and, if the top candidate senses a call to Christ Pres, begin the process of introducing him to leadership and the congregation.
October 5, 2025 – Updates provided at Town Hall Meeting
The committee shares a thirteenth update that they have prayerfully narrowed the field from over 50 candidates down to four. Chair, Warren Asmus, shared that while this is an encouraging stage, the team remains cautious and dependent on God’s timing, knowing that candidates may still discern differently along the way. He asked for continued prayer for endurance, wisdom, and unity as the committee works toward recommending a final candidate to the Session. We should also be in prayer for these finalists, their families, and their current churches.
August 22, 2025 – Video Message from Senior Pastor Search Committee
The committee shares a twelfth update that they are in the interview phase, currently conducting initial conversations with multiple candidates while prayerfully discerning God’s leading and inviting continued prayer and referrals from the congregation.
July 9, 2025 – Updates provided at Town Hall Meeting
The Senior Pastor Search Committee continues to faithfully and prayerfully seek the man God is calling to shepherd Christ Presbyterian Church. Every meeting begins with prayer and reflection, and the team has worked diligently—listening to input from the congregation, consulting with leaders from similar churches, and developing detailed church and pastor profiles. The top qualities identified: a shepherd and a humble man of God. With more than 50 names submitted from within our church and across the denomination, the committee has now narrowed the field to 29 individuals, each being thoughtfully contacted as potential candidates. As the process moves forward, the committee will recommend one candidate to our Session, introduce him to the congregation, and—pending a church vote and Presbytery approval—extend the call. Though these searches often can take 18–24 months, our committee is encouraged and unified as they follow the Lord’s lead. Please continue to pray for this faithful team and trust that God is at work, preparing the right pastor for Christ Pres in his perfect timing.
June 20, 2025 – Video Message from Senior Pastor Search Committee
The committee shares a tenth update during the Congregational Meeting on the committee's progress, including the preparation for interviews with a narrowing pool of candidates.
May 4, 2025 – Video Message from Senior Pastor Search Committee
The committee shares a ninth update during the Congregational Meeting on the committee's progress, reintroducing their members and sharing a visual representation of their search process.
February 20, 2025 – Video Message from Senior Pastor Search Committee
The committee shares an eighth update on the committee's progress, highlighting the completion of mock interviews, refinements to the pastor and church profiles, and the beginning of the candidate evaluation phase on February 19, while requesting continued prayers for wisdom and discernment.
December 13, 2024 – Email Message from Senior Pastor Search Committee
The committee shares a seventh update, seeking prayer as they begin the process of seeking and evaluating candidates.
October 14, 2024 – Video Message from Senior Pastor Search Committee
The committee shares a sixth update video, with info regarding the completion of the Pastor Profile and the beginnings of drafting the Church Profile.
September 6, 2024 – Video Message from Senior Pastor Search Committee
The committee shares a fifth update video, with info regarding a search consultant and the building of their pastor profile.
August 2, 2024 – Video Message from Senior Pastor Search Committee
The committee shares a fourth update video, including feedback from the Pastor Search Survey, updates on nominations from the church, and a prayer bookmark.
June 27, 2024 – Video Message from Senior Pastor Search Committee
The committee shares a second update video and requests completions of a Senior Pastor Search Survey. (Survey deadline has passed.)
May 24, 2024 – Video Message from Senior Pastor Search Committee
The committee is committing to share regular updates with the congregation throughout their search process. The first one comes via Warren Asmus, Committee Chair.
May 6, 2024 – Senior Pastor Search Committee Selection
At the Congregational Meeting on May 5, 2024, the church members completed the process of electing a ten-member Senior Pastor Search Committee.
May 2, 2024 – Senior Pastor Search Committee Primary Voting Results
The primary round of voting to determine the Senior Pastor Search Committee members has concluded. We have narrowed the number of nominees to 21; these 21 names will appear on the final ballot at the Congregational Meeting called for May 5, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. Please make every effort to attend this critical meeting. After the primary round of voting, the top 21 candidates appearing on the final ballot are listed below; additionally, you may find their biographies here. May the Lord grant us wisdom and a spirit of unity as we seek to complete this committee!
April 23, 2024 – Senior Pastor Search Committee Nominations Update
Please be advised that the nomination period for the senior pastor search committee has closed. This process has yielded 50 nominees; you can review their biographies. This high volume of nominees will necessitate a primary round of voting in advance of our congregational meeting, during which we will elect the final members of the senior pastor search committee.
The primary round of voting will take place online; you will receive an email in a similar format to this one by Friday, April 26. Each church member will be allowed to vote once in the primary round; the primary round of voting will close on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. In the meantime, please familiarize yourself with all the candidates seeking a spot on the senior pastor search committee. Then, we will gather for a Congregational Meeting on Sunday, May 5 at 3 p.m. in the OHB Sanctuary to vote on the narrowed-down list of nominated candidates to serve on the Senior Pastor Search Committee.
March 20, 2024 – Senior Pastor Search Committee Nominations
In this season of prayer, we ask that you maintain it as we enter into the next phase of our search for a senior pastor. Today, we are officially opening our nomination process for those who might serve on the Pastoral Search Committee. As a reminder, the requirements for who should serve on the committee can be found in the body of this update on the Session Update page. This nomination process will be open through April 14, 2024. May the Lord lead us through this process and to the man who will serve as the next senior pastor at Christ Presbyterian Church. [Open the Nomination Form Here]
March 1, 2024 – Senior Pastor Search Process Introduced
Schedule of Events
PHASE ONE: Churchwide Season of Prayer
🗓️ Begins March 17
• Weekly Mid-Day Worship Prayer Gathering – Monday, March 18 at Noon
• Churchwide Prayer Meeting – Tuesday, March 19 at 6 p.m.
PHASE TWO: Congregational Meeting
🗓️ Sunday, April 7 from 3-5 p.m. | OHB Sanctuary
Moderated discussion and collection of traits/values for next Senior Pastor
Followed by a week of nomination collections for Senior Pastor Search Committee members
PHASE THREE: Congregational Meeting
🗓️ Sunday, May 5 from 3-4 p.m. | OHB Sanctuary
Election of Senior Pastor Search Committee
Followed by an Ice Cream Reception
PHASE FOUR: Senior Pastor Search Committee Monthly Updates
🗓️ Beginning May, 2024
Warren Asmus, Chair of the Committee, will share monthly updates
PHASE FIVE: Senior Pastor Candidate Introduction & Congregational Vote
February/March 2026
Candidate preaches in view of a call on Feb. 22 and Congregational Meeting held on Mar. 1