Pastor Rob has provided the following statement: “In our family, we have been wrestling with how we should serve, love and pray for those closest to us. As many of you know, we are set to become grandparents in just a few weeks. For the past five years we have been wrestling with, if, or when the Lord may call us back to the Midwest to be near family. In that time, we have had multiple opportunities to take pastorates in the St Louis area. Each time we did not feel a freedom to do so. In fact, I can remember telling Susy that every time I thought of pastoring a different church, I felt jealousy for the man who would serve here. But, now, the Lord has opened a different door, one we did not expect or anticipate or see coming. I have been invited to join the executive staff at the Missouri Baptist Convention as the Director of Evangelism and Prayer. This invitation was not something we pursued, but rather, was opened to us in an unexpected way. Ultimately, we have felt the Lord make it clear that this is his next step for us, as I shared with the Leadership Council nearly a month ago. I feel called to use whatever gifts the Lord has entrusted to me to help a state convention refocus its efforts on evangelism and prayer. So, we have accepted that call. ” 

     Based on the FBC Constitution, the members of FBC are responsible for nominating a Pastor Search Committee (PSC) consisting of 7 members and up to 2 alternates. To that end, the Leadership Council has received PSC nominations from Sunday, May 4 through Sunday, May 11. Nominations can be submitted online or by a paper form delivered to the Church Office. Once church members have submitted nominations, the Leadership Council will review all nominations and recommend a PSC to the church on June 8 for a vote on June 22.

     A pastor search process usually lasts between 12-18 months.

     The Leadership Council selected Dr. Michael Fitzgerald as our Interim Teaching Pastor candidate. He was presented to the church on Wednesday, May 7 when church members had an opportunity to meet him at a dessert reception that evening. Additionally, church members voted for the Interim Teaching Pastor during the Ministry Conference on Wednesday, May 14. The Interim Teaching Pastor will be responsible for preaching on Sundays and for assisting with teaching opportunities, as deemed necessary by the Leadership Council. The Interim Teaching Pastor will not be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the church. Furthermore, the Interim Teaching Pastor will not be a candidate to be the next Senior Pastor. 

     FBC will continue to operate within its current organizational structure, being governed by the Leadership Council and led by its current executive committees (e.g. Deacons, Personnel Team, Stewardship Team, and Facility Team). The budget will continue to be managed by the Stewardship Team, who will provide monthly reports to the Leadership Council.

     Pastors Dale and Benji will assume many of FBC’s pastoral tasks (preaching, teaching, leading Discovering FBC, facilitating counseling, etc.) Bill Fulkerson, our Church Administrator, will be working with our communications team to facilitate regular communication to the church through the “Tie” newsletter and Sunday bulletin.

     Future plans for the Fournier Renovation Project are currently being evaluated, though much of the consulting that has already taken place has effectively identified structural improvements needed to our breezeways.

     As decisions are made regarding the pastoral transition, the Leadership Council will provide the church with regular updates through the weekly “Tie” newsletter, on the pastoral transition website (fbcps.com/transition), and during Sunday worship service announcements.