Weekly Update from the Senior Pastor
April 27, 2006 
Dear Family and Friends,
Let me honor a great leader and give you an update on a staff reshuffle of responsibilities.
Almost two years ago Kay LaBare joined our staff on a part-time stipend (while carrying another full-time job), becoming our first Executive Director for Staff Management. Our professional consult with Living Stones Ministries had yielded the primary recommendation that we needed a staff Executive Director, since yours truly does not possess high skills or gifting in that area.
Kay’s positive impact was immediate. Staff synergy went up as we became more of a team rather than simply dedicated individuals each working in her/his own area. Kay developed clear systems for staff accountability in terms of goal setting, evaluation and weekly reports; and improved communication between staff and Trustees. She helped staff take goals up to the next levels of team building, resulting in new ministry teams such as our Volunteer Chaplains and Life Group leadership team structures. Kay guided the search/hiring and integration process for Brett Barry.
Then the perfect storm came into Kay and Leo’s life.
Kay and Leo lost their oldest son Jeremy to a tragic death; then Kay’s sister, who is her soul-mate, was diagnosed with a tough cancer and Kay’s mother reached a point where she could not live alone and needed a total life restructure. Meanwhile, Kay’s two daughters, Jessica, a physician, and Julia, a nurse, whose husband is a battlefield Special Forces surgeon, both moms with new babies, faced stretches where they needed Kay’s presence and support. Emotionally Kay was on the walking wounded list and wisely realized that she needs to take a step back for healing and emotional battery recharging. Thankfully she and Leo are staying in the area and staying plugged into Damascus Road, but she stepped back from her regular staff responsibilities this week.
For several months we discussed this transition together and both agreed that the ideal replacement was Rajendra Pillai, our Small Groups and Ministries Director. Rajendra is outstanding in process implementation (our star) and in managing high-powered people with respect and clarity of purpose. We love him and he pushes us toward excellence. Rajendra and I will be working closely together as he assumes the staff management, while continuing to give oversight to our Small Groups Ministry. Obviously, this is a large helping we have heaped on his plate so we are beginning the process of consulting with the Human Resource Committee and the Trustees to determine how best to support and resource him for success.
So please give Kay love and gratitude and give Rajendra support and encouragement in this transition. Kay will work closely with Rajendra in the transition stretch, taking the lead in the annual staff evaluations and in helping Rajendra assist the staff and ministry teams establish new annual goals/budget planning during May and June.
Thinking about both of them, I am so filled with gratitude for their maturity in Christ and commitment to building His church in this location. Let’s pray for a season of healing in Kay’s family and for wisdom and strength for Rajendra as he helps our staff to help each of you grow in Christ and fulfill God’s purpose and calling in your life.
Love ya,
Richard
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