Pastor Search Process

 Current Prayer Emphasis

As we wait on God’s timing for our next pastor, pray that we will commit, as a congregation, to patiently seek a closer walk with God through prayer, Bible study, and fellowship, in order to prepare our hearts.  Pray specifically for unity, grace, and love to prevail.

Pray for the PSC team to steadfastly seek God’s perfect will and timing as they continue to focus on learning more about the pastoral candidate.

Pray for the focal pastoral candidate and his family as they seek to learn more about FBC and discern God’s will for ministry.

Pastor Search Committee Members

Dennis Durkin, Shane Finch, Mel Kunz (vice chair), Lois Lin (clerk), Sonja Lonadier, Dwayne "Ski" Szymanski, Gary Townsend (chair); Alternates: Dan Cannon, Lorey Phillips

Significant Dates

May 24: Beginning of Prayer Focus

June 7: Pastor Search Committee Nominations Begun

June 21: Pastor Search Committee Nominations Ceased

July 12: Pastor Search Committee Elected: Dennis Durkin, Shane Finch, Mel Kunz (vice chair), Lois Lin (clerk), Sonja Lonadier, Dwayne "Ski" Szymanski, Gary Townsend (chair); Alternates: Dan Cannon, Lorey Phillips

July 25: Training Began

August 3: Pastor Search Committee Began Work

November 15: Visited Pastoral Candidate

December 13: Visited Pastoral Candidate

January 10: Visiting Pastoral Candidate

January 17: Visiting Pastoral Candidate

January 24: Visiting Pastoral Candidate

How the Pastor Search Committee is formed and who may serve, according to our bylaws, article 5.4.5.1

When the position of Senior Pastor becomes vacant, the Chair of Deacons shall initiate and administer the formation of a Pastor Search Committee. This ad hoc committee shall number seven members, elected from a list of at least 25 qualified nominees. Qualified nominees must have been a member of First Baptist Church of Ocala, Florida, Inc. for at least three years, must be actively serving in some ministry of the church, and must have been nominated by another church member not in their immediate household. Nominations shall be on a form supplied by the church. Before the ballot is submitted for vote by the membership, the Chair of Deacons or his designee shall communicate with the nominees to ascertain if they would be willing to serve on the Pastor Search Committee if elected. The ballot shall be submitted to the membership in a business meeting for election by secret ballot. The committee will be comprised of the 5 gentlemen receiving the highest number of votes and the 2 ladies receiving the highest number of votes. The 6th gentleman and the 3rd lady receiving the highest number of votes will be alternates. The alternates will be non-voting, non-traveling members of the committee, but will otherwise meet with the committee on a regular basis. In the event of the resignation of one of the original 7 members, the appropriate alternate will fill the vacated position so as to keep the same 5/2 ratio on the committee.

Submit a resume or recommendation to the Pastor Search Committee.

Questions or comments? Contact us.