Beloved,
Session met on Sunday (1/15) to
receive the unanimous recommendation of the search/transition team for youth
and discipling.
The following is a summary of their
recommendation approved unanimously by session:
The Minister for Youth/Discipling search team has been hard
at work meeting and researching the best course of action for Our Family of
Faith at First Presbyterian regarding the replacement for Jeremy Van
Genderen.
The search team began meeting on Sunday mornings to discuss
how to go about finding a new Youth Minister. Meetings were also held on
Thursday evenings in order to develop a job description that would be used for
the Interim Youth Minister as well as the permanent replacement.
David Bell, Chairman of the committee, expressed at one of
the Thursday night meetings how his research stated that we shouldn’t forget to
look at qualified people within our own congregation. The down time
between replacements is shorter, disruption to the church and youth activities
is minimized and often there can be a cost savings because expenses for
relocation, housing, etc. are not needed.
Those at that particular Thursday night meeting then began
thinking about who within our church family had the qualifications necessary to
fulfill the position. Leslie Kopp’s name was suggested.
After discussions with both Pastor Bob and Leslie it was
decided to have a few weeks of prayer to consider this option. The rest
of the search team was then told at the next Sunday meeting what had transpired
and was asked for their thoughts on the matter. Everyone was enthusiastic
and were on board with Leslie being offered the Director of Christian Education
position.
The team continued to meet to insure that every member of
the committee had ample opportunity to voice their opinions, disagreements
and/or concerns. It was decided that at the January 9, 2012 session
meeting the committee chairman would formally submit Leslie Kopp’s name as a
candidate for the Director of Christian Education.
It is important to note that Pastor Bob nor Leslie Kopp did
not instigate or suggest this to the search team at any time. Only when
approached did they then begin to pray and discuss the matter.
Leslie earned a master degree in education and has held
several positions in youth ministry since 1984. Her easy and natural rapport
with children and youth make her the ideal person for the job.
The session and search team formally interviewed and subsequently
offered Leslie the Director of Christian Education position at a special
session meeting held on Sunday, January 15, 2012.
These are exciting times in our church! God continues
to bless Our Family of Faith and the addition of Leslie to the Director of
Christian Education position will allow us to spread those blessings to the
youth of Belvidere. Some of the upcoming items you will begin to hear
about are interns to assist in youth activities. These interns will be
hand-picked and trained by Leslie. Confirmation classes will be held for
our youth with Pastor Bob beginning in March. Leslie will hold classes
for the parents of the students in confirmation.
As always, we continue to honor, applaud, and affirm the
work Jeremy has done to build our youth program and look forward to building
upon the strong foundation he has left us with.
Thank you.
Certainly, while affirming Jeremy's call to
Cedar Rapids, Iowa and continuing our appreciation of his life and ministry
with us along with our affection for him, Jeanette, Bree, Kara, and Ben,
we did not anticipate his call; and we had no inclination to disrupt our
relationship. Indeed, with staff stability exceeding over seven years, we
were, as some say, caught off guard and stunned.
Though we would have preferred Jeremy and
his family stay with us for a few more decades, the search for someone to
succeed him started; and the results are now announced.
Because Leslie has been a homemaker for
over two decades, sacrificing vocation and income to be a stay-at-home mom with
the boys, I have not considered her as a candidate for positions like this one;
and, as noted, with our thanks to the Lord for Jeremy's ministry with us and no
indication of any changes in his call with us, Leslie had dropped off my radar
for consideration until brought to my attention by the team.
Confessionally, at first, I was hesitant;
not because I had any doubts about Leslie's affection for the Lord and First
along with His wherewithal to get the job done but because I was a tad selfish in
thinking some may think I was trying to pull something. I just
didn't want to deal with that kinda stuff; but pressed by a few folks on the
search/transition team, I realized my reluctance was selfish, sinful, and not
in His best designs for our family of faith at First.
With that said, I believe, from my
experience of over 35 years, that we would be hard-pressed to find a more
called, gifted, educated, caring, competent, and qualified person for this
ministry.
I've been asked how I will relate to her as
head of staff and, uh, you know...
I'm not sure.
Never been there or done that before.
We'll see.
Yet I know our Lord expects me to expand my
wineskin as I call people to heed His call to the same.
Blessings and Love!
