Sunday, March 1st: 

Connect Groups for ALL at 9:15 (see schedule)

Combined Worship at 10:30

At the end of the combined service, our deacons will be presenting candidates for your approval for our pastor search team.  

Your vote (97.5%) on February 15 in favor of following the Succession Model means that our pastor search team will be elected now and begin working in the hopes of securing our next pastor prior to my retirement in January 2027.

Bittersweet …

As you know by now, the purpose of the combined service this past Sunday was for me to announce my retirement date of January, 2027.  The year's notice is so that Ridgecrest can pursue our next pastor while I am still on board, if you choose to do so.  Just below, is a copy of a handout that was passed out this past Sunday at the end of the service, outlining our next steps. 

Let me say that this is a bittersweet moment and announcement:  

I love the Lord, I love my role as your pastor and I love Ridgecrest Baptist Church.  I will miss that role and relationship with you.  But, in my soul, I know that my season of ministry as your lead pastor is coming to a close.  

I am also excited to see the next chapter of ministry at Ridgecrest!  God has a purpose and a plan for this church.  God has a man already selected to carry out that plan.  These are consequential days and not to be wasted!  

I am also expectant to pursue my next assignments in life and ministry.  As a son, brother, husband, dad and Poppy, I have much to keep me busy!  I am also young and vibrant enough to serve in ministry in some capacity.

Let me thank you now and in the future for the love and care you have shown to my family and to me.  Pam and I are blessed!  

There will be much more to say as we go forward!  

I’ll keep you posted! 

Church Handout January 18, 2026

2026-27 Ridgecrest Baptist Church Pastor Search Process:

RIDGECREST BAPTIST CHURCH CONSTITUTION (p 12):

1. Call and Election of a pastor

When a vacancy in the pastorate occurs, a special Pastor Selection Committee shall be elected by the church from nominees submitted by the deacons and/or Nominating Committee) of a size, not less than three (3) members, which it deems appropriate. These nominees shall represent a cross-section of the church and nominations from the floor during the election shall not be precluded. The committee shall proceed promptly and diligently to seek to find a Senior Pastor who, by calling, training and proven ability, seems qualified spiritually, mentally and physically to lead the members of this church. In its efforts to meet its responsibilities, the committee shall be responsible to the church directly. The committee shall receive and give full consideration to all suggestions from members of the church. Members of the committee shall be reimbursed by the church treasurer for any necessary travel and subsistence expenses that are incurred in the performance of its duties. When the committee has made a choice and is ready to make a report and recommendation to the church, it shall cause notice thereof to be given from the pulpit at two (2) successive Sundays preceding the Sunday morning service at which it shall submit its report and nominate a minister to be the Senior Pastor. The committee shall put before the church only one (1) name, at any one time and no nomination shall be made from the floor.

The election shall be held at the service at which the nomination is made. To be elected pastor, the minister nominated by the committee must receive at least ninety (90) percent of all the votes cast and it is desirable that the vote shall be unanimous. If the committee's report fails to receive the required vote, the moderator shall declare the nominee not elected and shall refer the matter, without debate, to the committee for further investigation and further recommendations under the foregoing procedure.

Traditional Approach:  The most common approach historically

Nothing happens until the current Pastor Leaves.  The church then elects a Pastor Search Team.  The Search Team goes to work during an interim period which is led by a staff member or some type of interim pastor.  At some time later (months or more), the Search Team presents a candidate for congregation approval to become the next pastor. 

Succession Approach:   Becoming more common.  Endorsed by Pastor Marc, our Personnel Team and Deacons. 

The Search Team is elected and begins its work while the current pastor is still in place.  The Search Team presents a candidate to become the next lead pastor while the current pastor is still in place.  Upon approval, the new pastor and current pastor overlap in order to provide a smooth transition into the future.  

SCHEDULE Updates: New Dates are in Red

• Now - PRAY!!   God has a purpose and plan and is in control! Use the Prayer guide from our Prayer Ministry.

• Now - February 15, 2026:  SEARCH TEAM NOMINATIONS

Per our constitution, our deacons are responsible to nominate potential Search Team members.  They request your input in making nominations for candidates to serve on the Search Team.  They are compelled to present a cross-section of the church. 

Potential Search Team members will be asked about their Faith / Willingness / Availability & Openness to serve.

You may nominate as many people as you like for the Search Team.   

• Nominations may be made in writing by Feb. 15th. If needed, Nomination Sheets are available in the Fellowship Hall and Worship Center Lobby (or you may use your own paper).

• Place your nominations in any Offering Box, OR Mail to the church office c/o RBC deacons

• Nominations may be made via email at   MemberCare@DiscoverRBC.org  

February 15, 2026:  CHURCH VOTE TO DETERMINE OUR PROCEDURE

• Nominations for Search Team members are due.

• Church Vote in each service to proceed with the Succession or Traditional Approach.

           If the Traditional Approach is selected, things will go quiet until January 2027.

           If the Succession Approach is selected, deacons will begin enlisting Search Team candidates from church nominations after February 1.

March 1, 2026 – SEARCH TEAM PRESENTATION AND VOTE (provided the congregation votes to follow the Succession Approach):

• Search Team candidates will be listed in the February 13th Newsbrief.

• There will be a Combined Service at 10 AM 

• Search Team candidates presented to congregation for a vote by RBC members.   

• Search Team trained and gets to work

Join us in prayer!

Pastor Prompt Prayer Prompts from our Prayer Team: 

Trusting God’s Leadership

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5–6

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”

 Prayer Focus: Surrender the process to God.

Seeking God’s Wisdom

Scripture: James 1:5

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”

 Prayer Focus: Wisdom for leaders and the search team.

Asking for a Pastor After God’s Heart

Scripture: Jeremiah 3:15

“And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.”

 Prayer Focus: God’s choice, not human expectations.

Praying for Character and Faithfulness

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:2

“Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach”

 Prayer Focus: Integrity, humility, and spiritual maturity.

Unity Within the Church

Scripture: Ephesians 4:2–3

“with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

 Prayer Focus: Unity, patience, and love.

A Heart for Shepherding God’s People

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:2–3

“shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.”

 Prayer Focus: Servant leadership.

Waiting Patiently on the Lord

Scripture: Psalm 27:14

“Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!”

 Prayer Focus: Patience and faith in God’s timing.

Thank God for past pastors and pray for the new pastor.

Scripture: Romans 15:30

“I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.”

 Prayer Focus: Thankfulness to God for His provision of Godly leaders and prayer for guidance over for the new pastor.