Dear Restoration,
I am excited to announce that the Parish Council has created and funded a new Executive Pastor position on our staff team. This role will be filled by Deacon Ashley May, our current Pastor of Community Life.
By God’s grace, Restoration continues to grow. And in the midst of this growth, it is crucial that 1) the staff is well supported, and 2) I dedicate significant time towards the direction of this parish. For the past year, I have been discerning a staff reorganization towards these goals. I have been leaning heavily on the Parish Council, asking questions of diocesan leadership, reading research on church size dynamics and healthy organizations, and talking with rectors of similarly sized churches. Everyone I talk to agrees that our team's current structure is not sustainable.
This new pastoral role is designed to strengthen leadership, support staff, and manage the week-to-week responsibilities of the parish. Ashley is exactly the right fit for such a role. Her passion for the gospel and for Restoration is well known. While I was away on sabbatical this summer, she led the team through significant challenges with compassion and wisdom. Please join me in congratulating her as she steps into this new role.
This ministry year will serve as a transition year; Ashley will collaborate with me to support and care for the staff as we work out further details and responsibilities. I remain deeply involved in the vision, direction, and oversight of the church, and this will not change.
This new role does not impact Ashley’s responsibilities as a deacon. She will still preach, teach, and hold pastoral office hours. I will continue to hold pastoral office hours, as well. At this time, we will not be hiring another Community Life Pastor. Instead, Ashley will be transitioning some aspects of Community Life to our talented and committed lay leaders. Please keep her and our Community Life efforts in your prayers as we make this transition.
Again, please join me in congratulating Deacon Ashley!
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Rick
