November Update

We have some news to share! Watch this message from Interim Senior Pastor Mike Bernoi and Senior Executive Director Jason Earle as they share some exciting updates on Damascus Road's leadership direction.

Q & As:

1) What’s been taking place in the discernment process?

For multiple months, the Elders have been praying, researching and discussing as they seek to discern God’s will for our community. We have truly wanted to remain open handed to how God is leading. The Elders have searched the New Testament, read multiple articles on church leadership structures and have had conversations with other churches as we discern the next leadership structure.

2) Why are we considering a multi-leader model?

The New Testament contains multiple examples of leaders jointly working together to serve the Church (Acts 6:2-5; Acts 15:22). In addition, Barna research shows that close to 40% of pastors have strongly considered quitting with the leading reasons being stress, loneliness and political division. A Senior Pastor role naturally comes with a great deal of inherent responsibility, stress and at times, loneliness.

DRCC has a strong history of a shared leadership culture as demonstrated by our diverse and gifted teaching team. We want to consider structures that might better share the leadership load and maximize giftings. Our current interim structure is a co-leadership model with multiple shared leadership teams and it is operating effectively while we continue to learn. 

3) What are our next hires?

The Elders and Trustees are actively working to finalize a proposed leadership structure with more details to be shared in the new year. Our next pastoral hire is going to be someone who will join the teaching team and oversee our weekend services, including our worship and tech teams. We’ve had a gap in this area for a few years and the plan has always been to fill this role. This pastoral hire will work with our teaching team to ensure that we continue to deliver services and teaching that are compelling, Jesus centered, relevant and engaging.

We are thrilled to announce that we recently hired Brian Kingrea, prayer team leader, as our part-time Congregational Care Director which has been a need on our team since Mike Bernoi has taken on expanded responsibilities. Brian will work closely with our care teams and small group leaders to care and shepherd our congregation.