Brighton First Sells Associate Parsonage

The congregation at Brighton First voted in July to sell the unoccupied associate parsonage (on Fairway Trails in Brighton). The Trustees of Brighton First were charged with the task. The house was put on the market in July and was sold this month. The closing date was September 16.

According to United Methodist guidelines and the direction of the congregation, the proceeds from the house sale will be invested and the principal and income from the investment may only be used for the cost of clergy housing. This includes either the purchase of a parsonage or providing a monthly housing allowance. 

The Brighton First Finance Committee oversees the investment of church funds. If you have questions about the house sale or about the investment of the proceeds, please talk to Dan Welton, Donna Thompson or Mary Ray.

What does this mean for the future staffing of the church? Will there be an associate pastor position in the future? At this time the Staff-Parish Relations Committee (human resources committee for the church) is assessing the needs of Brighton First and working to provide the right staffing to advance the mission and vision of our church. This may include the creation of new positions in the months ahead or changing responsibilities for current staff.

Whatever decisions are made, we trust that God is faithful and desires that Brighton First be a place for connection, spiritual exploration and growth and service. Please keep current staff members and church staff members who we are yet to meet in prayer.

Brighton First Sells Associate Parsonage

The congregation at Brighton First voted in July to sell the unoccupied associate parsonage (on Fairway Trails in Brighton). The Trustees of Brighton First were charged with the task. The house was put on the market in July and was sold this month. The closing date was September 16.

According to United Methodist guidelines and the direction of the congregation, the proceeds from the house sale will be invested and the principal and income from the investment may only be used for the cost of clergy housing. This includes either the purchase of a parsonage or providing a monthly housing allowance. 

The Brighton First Finance Committee oversees the investment of church funds. If you have questions about the house sale or about the investment of the proceeds, please talk to Dan Welton, Donna Thompson or Mary Ray.

What does this mean for the future staffing of the church? Will there be an associate pastor position in the future? At this time the Staff-Parish Relations Committee (human resources committee for the church) is assessing the needs of Brighton First and working to provide the right staffing to advance the mission and vision of our church. This may include the creation of new positions in the months ahead or changing responsibilities for current staff.

Whatever decisions are made, we trust that God is faithful and desires that Brighton First be a place for connection, spiritual exploration and growth and service. Please keep current staff members and church staff members who we are yet to meet in prayer.

Staff-Parish Relations Committee Matches Staffing Needs with Mission of Church

Part of the Vital Church Initiative (VCI) Report for Brighton First directed the Staff Parish-Relations Committee (SPRC) to study the alignment of current staff responsibilities with the mission and vision for our church. The SPRC is taking this task seriously. Beginning Sunday afternoon, October 4, members of the committee will meet to begin the assessment. The members of the SPRC assume that this will lead to a re-writing of current job descriptions for staff members.

The SPRC will begin with a "white sheet", determining what skills sets are needed to move the church forward in the areas of inspirational worship, dynamic faith formation and life-changing mission and outreach. Once the skill sets are determined, the SPRC will begin the work of matching those sets with paid staff positions.

This work will have an effect on immediate staffing needs at Brighton First and long-term staff development. Our Children's Ministries Director, Anne Walters, is resigning on September 30. The SPRC is keeping this in mind as they develop a plan for staffing. In addition, the VCI Report directs the SPRC to hire a worship leader for the 11:00 worship service by January 1.

Other considerations will be the work of the Senior Pastor. At this time all staff positions, but the senior pastor position, have a "job description". The SPRC is challenged with asking the question, "What skills sets does our senior pastor need to lead our church into the future?"

Please be in prayer for Mr. Russ Ruhnow, the chairman of the SPRC, and for the members of this committee as they begin this important work.

Staff-Parish Relations Committee Matches Staffing Needs with Mission of Church

Part of the Vital Church Initiative (VCI) Report for Brighton First directed the Staff Parish-Relations Committee (SPRC) to study the alignment of current staff responsibilities with the mission and vision for our church. The SPRC is taking this task seriously. Beginning Sunday afternoon, October 4, members of the committee will meet to begin the assessment. The members of the SPRC assume that this will lead to a re-writing of current job descriptions for staff members.

The SPRC will begin with a "white sheet", determining what skills sets are needed to move the church forward in the areas of inspirational worship, dynamic faith formation and life-changing mission and outreach. Once the skill sets are determined, the SPRC will begin the work of matching those sets with paid staff positions.

This work will have an effect on immediate staffing needs at Brighton First and long-term staff development. Our Children's Ministries Director, Anne Walters, is resigning on September 30. The SPRC is keeping this in mind as they develop a plan for staffing. In addition, the VCI Report directs the SPRC to hire a worship leader for the 11:00 worship service by January 1.

Other considerations will be the work of the Senior Pastor. At this time all staff positions, but the senior pastor position, have a "job description". The SPRC is challenged with asking the question, "What skills sets does our senior pastor need to lead our church into the future?"

Please be in prayer for Mr. Russ Ruhnow, the chairman of the SPRC, and for the members of this committee as they begin this important work.

Staffing Changes at Brighton First Indicate Openness to Future Needs

A member of the congregation stopped in this week to ask about the staff changes at Brighton First. In particular, the church member wanted to know why Brighton First has hired a retired pastor rather than hiring an associate pastor. This a good question, and I appreciate being asked. I assume that if one person is wondering, there may be others with the same question.

This year, when the Staff-Parish Relations Committee realized that Rev. Paul Hahm was being reappointed as of July 1, the committee waited to hear what associate pastor would be assigned to Brighton First. Rev. Mark Spaw, our district superintendent, looked for a clergy person that would be a good fit, someone with the pastoral skills we need and whose compensation package fits within our church budget. It was evident by late March that we would not be receiving an associate pastor.

The Staff-Parish Relations Committee (SPRC) faced with these circumstances would normally seek to directly hire someone with pastoral experience to fill the position. However, since we are presently going through a revitalization process and clarifying our mission and purpose (Vital Chruch Initiative), it was unclear what specific skills we should look for.

So, the SPRC decided to cover the needs of the church through increasing the hours for Alyssa Tumolo, Director of Youth Ministries and hiring a part-time assistant pastor, Rev. John G. Park. In addition, the SPRC anticipates that Brighton First will hire a part-time worship leader for our 11:00 am worship service. As the church works to clarify its vision, the SPRC will be re-writing staff job descriptions to equip the church to achieve its goals.

At this time, we cannot predict how staffing will look in 2016. We may, once again, hire an associate pastor. We may also determine that a staff member with specific gifts are needed and seek out a clergy or lay person to fill that position.

In the meantime, the SPRC has staffed the church to continue at full strength. Please be in prayer for this on-going process.

Staffing Changes at Brighton First Indicate Openness to Future Needs

A member of the congregation stopped in this week to ask about the staff changes at Brighton First. In particular, the church member wanted to know why Brighton First has hired a retired pastor rather than hiring an associate pastor. This a good question, and I appreciate being asked. I assume that if one person is wondering, there may be others with the same question.

This year, when the Staff-Parish Relations Committee realized that Rev. Paul Hahm was being reappointed as of July 1, the committee waited to hear what associate pastor would be assigned to Brighton First. Rev. Mark Spaw, our district superintendent, looked for a clergy person that would be a good fit, someone with the pastoral skills we need and whose compensation package fits within our church budget. It was evident by late March that we would not be receiving an associate pastor.

The Staff-Parish Relations Committee (SPRC) faced with these circumstances would normally seek to directly hire someone with pastoral experience to fill the position. However, since we are presently going through a revitalization process and clarifying our mission and purpose (Vital Chruch Initiative), it was unclear what specific skills we should look for.

So, the SPRC decided to cover the needs of the church through increasing the hours for Alyssa Tumolo, Director of Youth Ministries and hiring a part-time assistant pastor, Rev. John G. Park. In addition, the SPRC anticipates that Brighton First will hire a part-time worship leader for our 11:00 am worship service. As the church works to clarify its vision, the SPRC will be re-writing staff job descriptions to equip the church to achieve its goals.

At this time, we cannot predict how staffing will look in 2016. We may, once again, hire an associate pastor. We may also determine that a staff member with specific gifts are needed and seek out a clergy or lay person to fill that position.

In the meantime, the SPRC has staffed the church to continue at full strength. Please be in prayer for this on-going process.