Staff Changes at Brighton First

The ministry of Brighton First is blessed and sustained by those who serve in our church office. Their welcoming and gracious presence reflects our church’s mission and their administrative skills bless the church’s ministry. We give thanks for our church office staff members and the many volunteers who are part of their team.

Terry Keefe

The Staff-Parish Relations Committee (human resources) of Brighton First announces that beginning November 1, our office staffing will change. Terry Keefe, who has served as Office and Facilities Manager and Finance Secretary since 2006, will become our Director of Communications. Terry is excited to work her “creative side”, developing and maintaining our electronic communications.

Wendy Carmack

Wendy Carmack, who now serves as Office Assistant, will become Office and Facilities Manager and Finance Secretary. Wendy has worked for Brighton First since October 2015. We are so pleased to welcome Wendy to this new leadership role.

We also welcome Karen Wagg to the church staff as Office Assistant. Karen, an active member of Brighton First, adds her gifts to a strong and dedicated office staff.

Please keep these faithful servants in your prayers in this time of transition. And if you have the opportunity, offer a word of thanks for their service.

Staff Changes at Brighton First

The ministry of Brighton First is blessed and sustained by those who serve in our church office. Their welcoming and gracious presence reflects our church’s mission and their administrative skills bless the church’s ministry. We give thanks for our church office staff members and the many volunteers who are part of their team.

Terry Keefe

The Staff-Parish Relations Committee (human resources) of Brighton First announces that beginning November 1, our office staffing will change. Terry Keefe, who has served as Office and Facilities Manager and Finance Secretary since 2006, will become our Director of Communications. Terry is excited to work her “creative side”, developing and maintaining our electronic communications.

Wendy Carmack

Wendy Carmack, who now serves as Office Assistant, will become Office and Facilities Manager and Finance Secretary. Wendy has worked for Brighton First since October 2015. We are so pleased to welcome Wendy to this new leadership role.

We also welcome Karen Wagg to the church staff as Office Assistant. Karen, an active member of Brighton First, adds her gifts to a strong and dedicated office staff.

Please keep these faithful servants in your prayers in this time of transition. And if you have the opportunity, offer a word of thanks for their service.

Brighton First Staff Job Descriptions in Review

The congregation of Brighton First chose to follow the recommendations of a Vital Church Initiative (VCI) Consultation Team in April 2015. Since that time, church leadership has been involved in implementing processes to revitalize and strengthen Brighton's ministry. The Staff-Parish Relations Committee (SPRC), the human resources team for our church, has worked to design and hire new 4 staff members since VCI implementation began. Beginning in May 2016, they began the task of rewriting job descriptions for all staff positions. Their goal, as directed by VCI, is to ensure that we are staffed to move the mission of the church forward.

Writing a job description for the senior pastor
at Brighton First begins with reviewing the
responsibilities of an ordained elder, found in
The Book of Discipline of The United
Methodist Church.

A three-person task force from the SPRC began the work by creating a basic framework for developing all job descriptions. They examined the mission and vision of the church and were informed by present job descriptions, as well as by staff members and immediate supervisors. The SPRC has now agreed to a process and a format. The first round of job descriptions (approximately 8) will be drafted by August. It is the hope of the SPRC to complete the work by the end of 2016 and to use the newly designed job descriptions for evaluation purposes and for future hiring.

Interestingly, there is no job description in place currently for the senior pastor. The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church does provide a detailed list of the responsibilities for an ordained elder who is appointed to lead a church. For years, this has been "good enough". There are certain things that we have come to expect of a pastor, including preaching, teaching, and visiting the sick. In the case of Brighton First, there is also an expectation that the pastor will manage the staff. However, that general job description does not highlight specific responsibilities for Brighton First's senior pastor, nor does it indicate what skills and tasks are necessary to lead Brighton First and its unique vision. Russ Ruhnow, the chairperson for the SPRC, will be heading the small group that will develop this senior pastor job description.

Often in the church, job descriptions are formed by the people who are hired to do the ministry. The SPRC has been challenged to step back and ask, "What skills and tasks are essential to carry out the vision for our church?" and to include them in our expectations for staff.

Please keep the SPRC in prayer as they take on this project. 

Brighton First Staff Job Descriptions in Review

The congregation of Brighton First chose to follow the recommendations of a Vital Church Initiative (VCI) Consultation Team in April 2015. Since that time, church leadership has been involved in implementing processes to revitalize and strengthen Brighton's ministry. The Staff-Parish Relations Committee (SPRC), the human resources team for our church, has worked to design and hire new 4 staff members since VCI implementation began. Beginning in May 2016, they began the task of rewriting job descriptions for all staff positions. Their goal, as directed by VCI, is to ensure that we are staffed to move the mission of the church forward.

Writing a job description for the senior pastor
at Brighton First begins with reviewing the
responsibilities of an ordained elder, found in
The Book of Discipline of The United
Methodist Church.

A three-person task force from the SPRC began the work by creating a basic framework for developing all job descriptions. They examined the mission and vision of the church and were informed by present job descriptions, as well as by staff members and immediate supervisors. The SPRC has now agreed to a process and a format. The first round of job descriptions (approximately 8) will be drafted by August. It is the hope of the SPRC to complete the work by the end of 2016 and to use the newly designed job descriptions for evaluation purposes and for future hiring.

Interestingly, there is no job description in place currently for the senior pastor. The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church does provide a detailed list of the responsibilities for an ordained elder who is appointed to lead a church. For years, this has been "good enough". There are certain things that we have come to expect of a pastor, including preaching, teaching, and visiting the sick. In the case of Brighton First, there is also an expectation that the pastor will manage the staff. However, that general job description does not highlight specific responsibilities for Brighton First's senior pastor, nor does it indicate what skills and tasks are necessary to lead Brighton First and its unique vision. Russ Ruhnow, the chairperson for the SPRC, will be heading the small group that will develop this senior pastor job description.

Often in the church, job descriptions are formed by the people who are hired to do the ministry. The SPRC has been challenged to step back and ask, "What skills and tasks are essential to carry out the vision for our church?" and to include them in our expectations for staff.

Please keep the SPRC in prayer as they take on this project. 

Brighton First Welcomes New Worship Leader for 11:00 Worship

The Staff-Parish Relations Committee of Brighton First is pleased to welcome Mr. Michael Tooman to the Brighton First community beginning April 1. Michael has been hired to team with staff and church members to redevelop the Sunday 11:00 worship service. Michael will be introduced to the congregation on Sunday, April 17. Tentative plans are for a "re-launch" of the worship service in October 2016. Michael will be working with a worship band and other teams in preparation for the worship launch. Please pray for him as he begins this important ministry.

Michael is thrilled to be the worship leader for the 11:00 worship service at Brighton First! Growing up down the road in South Lyon, Mike was raised in the United Methodist church there. He began singing in the children's choir and taking piano lessons at just four years old, going on to play in, and eventually lead, the worship band there. 

Michael Tooman, Brighton First
11:00 Worship Leader

Mike has always been an avid musician. In high school, he was a participant of the concert band, concert choir, marching band, jazz band, jazz choir, and theater programs. After high school, Michael's band, Avienne, achieved regional success in the metro-Detroit area following the release of their album, "Dreams. Lies. Revolution." 

Michael has also written three musicals with his writing partner, Tyler Dean. Their third musical, "Sea Legs," which premiered at the University of Michigan in 2014, was picked up for an Off-Broadway production in the fall of the same year. He is looking forward to writing many, many more. 

Michael is a graduate of Wayne State University, where he studied music theory and composition. Mike would consider himself quite a "music geek" and welcomes any questions or conversation regarding the subject. 

Mike is ecstatic to be leading worship again. Music has always been a constant reminder to him of the absolutely wonderful grace of God and he looks forward to rediscovering that with you every week. 

Brighton First Welcomes New Worship Leader for 11:00 Worship

The Staff-Parish Relations Committee of Brighton First is pleased to welcome Mr. Michael Tooman to the Brighton First community beginning April 1. Michael has been hired to team with staff and church members to redevelop the Sunday 11:00 worship service. Michael will be introduced to the congregation on Sunday, April 17. Tentative plans are for a "re-launch" of the worship service in October 2016. Michael will be working with a worship band and other teams in preparation for the worship launch. Please pray for him as he begins this important ministry.

Michael is thrilled to be the worship leader for the 11:00 worship service at Brighton First! Growing up down the road in South Lyon, Mike was raised in the United Methodist church there. He began singing in the children's choir and taking piano lessons at just four years old, going on to play in, and eventually lead, the worship band there. 

Michael Tooman, Brighton First
11:00 Worship Leader

Mike has always been an avid musician. In high school, he was a participant of the concert band, concert choir, marching band, jazz band, jazz choir, and theater programs. After high school, Michael's band, Avienne, achieved regional success in the metro-Detroit area following the release of their album, "Dreams. Lies. Revolution." 

Michael has also written three musicals with his writing partner, Tyler Dean. Their third musical, "Sea Legs," which premiered at the University of Michigan in 2014, was picked up for an Off-Broadway production in the fall of the same year. He is looking forward to writing many, many more. 

Michael is a graduate of Wayne State University, where he studied music theory and composition. Mike would consider himself quite a "music geek" and welcomes any questions or conversation regarding the subject. 

Mike is ecstatic to be leading worship again. Music has always been a constant reminder to him of the absolutely wonderful grace of God and he looks forward to rediscovering that with you every week. 

Brighton First Preparing to Hire Three Staff Members

The Staff-Parish Relations Committee (the human resources committee) met on October 22 to discuss staffing needs at Brighton First. The committee has determined that three staff positions are needed and descriptions for those positions are now being developed.

First, Brighton First will be hiring a Director of Christian Education. The plan is for this position to be full-time. The person who takes this job will oversee our disciple development for both children and adults. This position has been created by the resignation of Children's Director Anne Walters and a voluntary reduction in hours by Rev. Loretta Job. It is the hope of the committee to have an employment notice posted by mid-November and a candidate hired for the position by January 1.

The congregation of Brighton First has directed the SPRC by their vote to accept the Vital Church Initiative Report to hire a worship leader for our third worship service. This person will develop a worship team of musicians and technicians and will lead worship at our 11:00 service. (Pastor Sherry will continue to preach at that service!). The position will be from 15 to 20 hours per week. The hope of the SPRC is to have this position posted in December and a candidate hired by mid-January. When a person is hired, he/she will work with the worship committee to determine a plan and timeline for developing a new model for the 11:00 worship service and launching it by December 2016.

The third position will combine a number of duties, including shared pastoral care responsibilities, teaching, worship design and preparation, as well as administrative work. While a title for this position has not been developed, the person in this role will function as an assistant to Pastor Sherry. The hope is to hire a candidate for this position in January.

Please keep this important work of the Staff-Parish Relations Committee in prayer.

Brighton First Preparing to Hire Three Staff Members

The Staff-Parish Relations Committee (the human resources committee) met on October 22 to discuss staffing needs at Brighton First. The committee has determined that three staff positions are needed and descriptions for those positions are now being developed.

First, Brighton First will be hiring a Director of Christian Education. The plan is for this position to be full-time. The person who takes this job will oversee our disciple development for both children and adults. This position has been created by the resignation of Children's Director Anne Walters and a voluntary reduction in hours by Rev. Loretta Job. It is the hope of the committee to have an employment notice posted by mid-November and a candidate hired for the position by January 1.

The congregation of Brighton First has directed the SPRC by their vote to accept the Vital Church Initiative Report to hire a worship leader for our third worship service. This person will develop a worship team of musicians and technicians and will lead worship at our 11:00 service. (Pastor Sherry will continue to preach at that service!). The position will be from 15 to 20 hours per week. The hope of the SPRC is to have this position posted in December and a candidate hired by mid-January. When a person is hired, he/she will work with the worship committee to determine a plan and timeline for developing a new model for the 11:00 worship service and launching it by December 2016.

The third position will combine a number of duties, including shared pastoral care responsibilities, teaching, worship design and preparation, as well as administrative work. While a title for this position has not been developed, the person in this role will function as an assistant to Pastor Sherry. The hope is to hire a candidate for this position in January.

Please keep this important work of the Staff-Parish Relations Committee 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.

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.