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.