I’m retiring. What’s next for WCC & me?

Today, November 5, I announced my retirement as Lead Minister.  Let’s talk about it.

It’s been 40 years. 40 years is very biblical. I woke up one morning and couldn’t get this thought out of my head. I started ministry in 1984, and in only a few months the calendar will change to 2024. That’s forty years of ministry in two churches. 36 of the 40 years have been at Westerville Christian Church. I have served as Lead Minister at WCC for 26 of the 36 years. Before that, I was the Youth Minister for ten years. I never dreamed of being at the same church for nearly 36 years, but here we are. 

Let me try and answer some questions…

When’s my last day? 

August 25, 2024. I have no desire to leave until then. I have multiple series I want to preach.  Baptism Sunday is coming up in January. I want to be here for another Easter Celebration. I have a mission trip to lead next June. I would like to see an evangelistic push happen before I leave. I would like to be here when the new minister arrives so I can encourage you to love him and his family like you’ve loved me and my family.

Am I leaving because I’m unhappy or being forced out?

Nope! Not at all. The simple answer is – it’s time. You need to know, this was my idea. I came to my leadership more than a year ago and told them it was time. You need to hear from a new leader and I need a new adventure. Ministers often delay the inevitable, they keep hanging on out of fear. Fear is never a good solution. Plus, the Fearless Campaign has put us in a position of growth. The new minister will not have to come in and push for a Capital Campaign. This sets him up for success. 

Did the Holy Spirit tell me audibly that it was time to leave?

That’s another no. He brought the date to my mind. I simply did the math.

What am I going to do? Am I heading to another church?

I really don’t know. Tricia and I are not sure of the next steps and that’s okay. Am I heading to another church? Nope. I do enjoy preaching. I would like to preach at various churches if opportunities arise, but I do not desire to lead another church.

Will we (Tricia & myself) attend church here?

All succession coaches recommend leaving for a time. Usually, that’s a year. So we won’t be back for a year. This allows the new minister to get to know his flock. Please do this. Do not compare him to me. I hate it when people do that to me. Hey Greg, have you ever thought of preaching like so and so? Actually no. God made me to be me. Let this new leader be who God created him to be.

Does anyone know who the next lead minister will be?

Yes, God does. This coming Sunday, November 12, I will begin a four-week series called Lessons from the Life of Moses. This series is about leadership in general but will cover much more than that. I encourage you to pray to God for the next 90 days asking him to show us the leader he wants to be here. For every Moses, there is a Joshua waiting in the wings. God has his Joshua picked out for WCC. I am excited to see God move. 

Will there be internal and external candidates? 

Yes and yes. We have already started an internal search. We will most likely connect with an outside search firm to help. But again, I cannot stress the importance of prayer. Ask God to direct us to someone who is different than me, someone who can take WCC to a new level of growth. 

What is the time frame for selecting my replacement?

The Elders would love to see this person hired by June of 2024. If a minister cannot be hired by August, a team-teaching approach will be used or an Interim Minister will be hired.    

Who will be making the decision for my replacement? Who will have input?

The Elders will hire the next Lead Minister. They have already received input from the staff. If you want to communicate with the elders reach out to Chad Biniker, our Elder Chair at wccelder2@gmail.com. Please pray for all our Elders, transitions take time and energy. Pray for Todd Bailey, Chad Biniker, John Blair, Steve Bodkin and Phil Taylor. They have held many meetings already and many are to come. 

That’s enough for now - what questions do you have for me? 

You can email me any questions you have for me at greg@wcchurch.life. I will use your questions to create additional blogs. Our leadership promises consistent communication, this will happen via blogs, mid-week videos, and messages on Sunday mornings. Would you pray right now for Westerville Christian Church’s next Lead Minister? Would you keep praying for the next three months? Never forget, Jesus is the Head of the church. It was never me or any of the ministers who led before me.  We follow his lead. Westerville Christian Church’s best days are ahead of us and I can’t wait to see what God is going to do.