2025 Transition news

Please review the summary of the Question and answer session for 20 July.

Oahu Church Transition Committee Meeting Summary

This meeting of the Oahu Church Transition Committee served to update the congregation on the committee's progress in addressing the transition resolution, which aims to evaluate and potentially restructure various functions within the church. The committee sought to answer questions from the congregation, provide clarity on recent decisions, and address concerns about transparency and communication.

Transition Resolution and Committee Updates

The Transition Committee has been meeting weekly to discuss job roles, ministry staff, the eldership, and other functions within the congregation. They have explored salary models and reviewed the church budget. The committee considered nine options for servicing the church, ranging from hiring a single minister to an elder-led model. A recent decision was made to pursue hiring a minister or ministry couple along with an administrator. The job descriptions and announcements are currently under development.

Committee Member Perspectives

Committee members expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve and emphasized the importance of seeking God's guidance throughout the transition. One member noted the diverse perspectives within the committee and the need for prayer and submission to move forward. Another highlighted the lively discussions and the lesson that "you don't always get what you want all the time".

Administrative Position Clarification

A key point of discussion revolved around the new administrative position. It was clarified that this role is not intended to replace the existing outsourced payroll and bill-paying services. Instead, the administrator will provide "boots on the ground, day-to-day operations" support, such as managing reservations and the church calendar. This aims to free up ministry staff to focus on ministering to people and evangelizing.

Addressing Transparency and Communication Concerns

Several attendees raised concerns about transparency and ensuring that all church members, including those who don't attend meetings or have limited internet access, are kept informed. One attendee suggested creating a simple, accessible landing page on the church website with a flowchart of the church's structure and updates on the transition. The committee acknowledged these concerns and outlined existing efforts to improve communication, including:

• Sharing transition committee updates at board meetings
• Using a Google form for questions and input
• Starting each transition meeting by addressing questions received from the fellowship

The committee expressed openness to further suggestions for improving communication and transparency.

Addressing Key Concerns and Questions

The committee addressed several specific questions and concerns from the congregation:

• ‍External vs. Internal Hires: The committee stated that they are open to both internal and external candidates for the new positions.‍
• Definition of "Transition": The committee clarified that the transition involves adapting to the retirement of current ministry leaders and restructuring roles to better serve the church's needs.‍
• Timeline for Hiring: The goal is to have the new positions filled by January 1st. The committee is still discussing whether to hire the administrator concurrently with the ministry leader or to allow the new leader to participate in the administrator hiring process.‍
• Role of the Ministry Advisory Group (MAG): The MAG is no longer part of the board bylaws, but the new ministry leader can form an advisory group if desired.‍
• Minister vs. Evangelist: The committee decided to hire a "lead minister" who will focus on shepherding the church and empowering members to be more evangelistic, rather than a traditional "evangelist" focused on external outreach.

Next Steps and Action Items

The committee plans to advertise the open positions soon and is working to finalize the job descriptions. They will also explore ways to incorporate more feedback from the congregation during the hiring process. The committee will create a landing page on the church website with updates, minutes from meetings, and a flowchart of the church's structure.

In conclusion, the Transition Committee is making progress in evaluating and restructuring the church's functions. They are committed to transparency, communication, and seeking God's guidance throughout the process. The committee acknowledged the need for improved communication and will take steps to keep the congregation informed and involved as the transition moves forward.