April 19th

On April 9, of this month, Thomas Throgmorton, who serves as the Pastor of Worship and Discipleship at Meadowbrooke Church, submitted his resignation to the Board of Elders of Meadowbrooke Church.  The week prior to the submitting of his resignation, Thomas spoke with me about how the death of his father had affected his family; he and Liz (Thomas wife) agreed that in light of his fathers passing in January and the desire to help his mother, they believed that God was calling them to move back to Indiana to help his mother (you can read Thomas resignation letter linked in this email).

This past Sunday evening, at our semi-annual Partners meeting, Thomas read his resignation to all who were in attendance.  This Sunday morning, Thomas will again read his resignation in both services, and will share the news of his resignation with our Youth Group.  

So, what is the plan moving forward?  Well, as it pertains to our youth ministry, there is already a strong and competent volunteer leadership team that will continue to provide leadership and direction for our youth ministry.  I have removed the direct oversight of the youth ministry from the previous job description of the Worship and Discipleship pastor because the elders and I believed that the music and pastoral oversight of our corporate gatherings and discipleship pathway needed sharper focus and clear direction during this season in the life of our church.  Alex Torres, who is doing his internship at Meadowbrooke and preparing for his ordination through Meadowbrooke, has agreed to provide pastoral oversight over, and guidance for, both our youth and young adult ministries.  

The day after Thomas shared with me his plan to move back home to help his mother, I proactively began the tedious process of reviewing résumés posted on church ministry sites such as Churchstaffing.com.  I have reviewed dozens of résumés and scores of video samples of potential worship and discipleship candidates even before we publicly posted our opening.  Any potential candidate who I believe may be a good fit for our church has or will receive an email or phone call to set up an interview that has and will include a zoom meeting with myself, and then the staff.  After a potential candidate is found, that persons references will be called and then a thorough background check performed.  During the entire above process, the board of Elders have and will continue to receive updates on potential candidates and where such persons are at in the vetting/interviewing process that includes the candidates résumé, video samples, etc.  Also included in the vetting and interview process is that every candidate has been or will be interviewed by my friend Ryan McCarthy (who has lead worship at Meadowbrooke as a guest multiple times) and Jerry (our previous lead elder) and Jill Millsap (who is also a trained vocalist).  

Once a candidate is selected and approved by the elder board, the candidates résumé and video samples will be shared with the current worship and AV team.  A weekend will then be selected for the approved candidate to visit Meadowbrooke to lead in both our worship services, have the chance to interact with our congregation, and the opportunity to experience Cheyenne (if the candidate lives outside of Cheyenne).  Only after a qualified candidate has gone through the above process, will that candidate be considered for and potentially offered the role of Pastor of Worship and Discipleship by the Board of Elders.  

Finally, I want you to know that we, the Board of Elders, believe that the qualifying candidate must have the gifting, experience, and capacity to help us continue to grow and develop into the church family God is calling us to be.  I also want you to know that we are open to whoever He has in mind to fill the role of Pastor of Worship and Discipleship.  

As you may have noticed, I have been closing many of our Sunday morning worship gatherings with this verse: Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen (Eph. 3:2021).  In light of the God who loves you, Meadowbrooke Church, more than any other possibly could how could we not expect God to do, far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think as we seek His will for a new Pastor of Worship and Discipleship?

I look forward to seeing you this Sunday in our 9:00 and 10:30 AM worship services!

Grace,

Pastor Keith

Thomas' Resignation Letter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/135s2xM5GqFuH9u6SNqtMHXdEwyPSfWzu/view?usp=sharing