Our PASTOR SEARCH TEAM is composed of:

Monte McCall, Chairman                                        Rene Hubbard

Robert Rainey                                                          Kathy Selph

Allen Smith                                                              Josh Swatts, Alternate 

They recently received training from Chris Reynolds who serves our region in the Pastor Wellness division of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board. They have put together a search team covenant that they have pledged to keep as they fulfill their task. They have also put together a congregational survey that they would like all of our regular attenders to complete. You can pick up a paper survey at church, fill it out, then return it to the drop boxes available at either of our two Welcome Centers. You can also fill out this survey online by going to www.fbcbarnesville.com/pastor-search-survey/ and clicking on the “Pastor Search Team Survey” link. All surveys are due back by Sunday, December 13^th.

As we look to the upcoming months, the Pastor Search Team will be receiving resumes for a period of time, and then will begin to seek the person whom they believe should be the next pastor of our church. You, of course, will have an opportunity to meet that individual and their family, as well as to hear our prospective pastor preach before you are asked to vote.

Meanwhile, our PERSONNEL TEAM, chaired by Scott Turner, is charged with determing what type of pastoral leadership will be needed for our church in the transition between my leaving and your new pastor arriving. There are several options available to us, varying in depth of involvement and length of stay. Please pray daily for both of these teams as well as for our new pastor and family that God has already chosen for us!

Please note the Christmas events at our church

This is the last newsletter column that I will write for this beloved church family.  For years, we sent out The Witness weekly rather than monthly as we do now. I have two drawers full of old newsletters – some 1,121 copies!    

I wish that I could communicate all of the emotions that are stirring in my heart at this moment after 28 ½ years as your pastor. There are memories of joy and sorrow, laughter and tears,  salvations of souls and every-deepening friendships that have lasted a lifetime. Thank you for the wonderful church staff that you have provided me as we served together. Thank you for your faithful support and unceasing encouragement as together we sought to grow this great, historic church. Suzanne and I will keep you in our hearts forever. You are an awesome church family!  REMEMBER NOW & ALWAYS…

As I prepare for my retirement, my desire is to prepare you for your next pastor. I want to instruct that process, but not to influence the person the church chooses. To that end, our church family elected a Pastor Search Team on October 18^th made up of the following members:

Monte McCall, Chairman, Rene Hubbard, Robert Rainey, Kathy Selph, Allen Smith, and Josh Swatts, Alternate. 

It should excite you to know that three of those six have experience serving on a pastor search team before. On Sunday evening, November 1^st, they will receive training from Chris Reynolds who serves our region in the Pastor Wellness division of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board.     This past Sunday evening, October 25^th, they met with our Personnel Team to ask for an updated job description for our senior pastor and to discuss how we should pursue an interim or “transitional pastor” to temporarily serve as pastor when I retire. As you can see, our Pastor Search Team has hit the ground running!

In the days ahead, you can expect the Pastor Search Team to put together a congregational survey that will give you a voice in the pastor search process. They, of course, will also be receiving resumes for a period of time, and then will begin to seek the person whom they believe should be the next pastor of our church. You, of course, will have an opportunity to meet that individual and their family, as well as to hear our prospective pastor preach before you are asked to vote.

COVID-19 continues to change things. Due to the virus, the Community Thanksgiving Service has been cancelled and the ministers of Lamar Christian Ministerial Association will participate in the DOWNTOWN ILLUMINATION SERVICE instead. Our women are planning a CHRISTMAS CANOPY for November 30^th  and December 1^st. Our church and community will have the opportunity to attend either night. In order to socially distance, each Canopy event will have a maximum attendance of 100 to be determined by pre-registration. To register please visit https://achristmascanopy.eventbrite.com.

Allow Suzanne and I to thank you once again for the wonderful privilege of serving as pastor and wife here at First Baptist for the last 28 ½ years. I never dreamed that we would stay so long, but I’m sure glad we did! You are a great church family! REMEMBER NOW & ALWAYS…