Greentree Community Church is currently seeking our next Lead Pastor. Join us in prayer for our future shepherd, for the Search Team in their service, and for Greentree to faithfully seek God’s will for this next season of ministry.
We invite you to read our Church and Pastor Profile to learn a little more about us and our prayer for our next Lead Pastor. If you know someone whom you think should apply for Greentree’s lead pastor position, please have them register at mcgowanglobal.com/pastor-registration. You may also send names of potential candidates to Dr. Case Thorp of McGowan Global Institute at case@mcgowanglobal.com.
Pastoral Search Committee
We will use this page to share updates and information with our spiritual family regarding the search of pastoral leadership at Greentree. The most recent updates are at the top of the page.
Update May 1, 2023
The past few months have given the search team a glimpse into how God is preparing our church and our next lead pastor! As we continue to evaluate candidates, we are confident in His provision and grateful for the men and their families who are committed to their Kingdom work and considering a potential call to lead here. Please continue to pray for wisdom and discernment, both for the search team and the candidates and their families, as we work to ascertain God’s will. We welcome your prayers and questions.
Update November 2022
We are excited to share an update from our team about the Discovery weekend with our search firm, McGowan Global Institute.
As a reminder, a cross section of church leaders, including elders, deacons, and staff, were interviewed in July and August. In early October, we hosted a two-day Discovery Weekend, inviting a representative cross section of approximately 40 members and attendees to discuss Greentree’s past history, present reality, and vision for the future.
Watch the update here.
If you have questions, feel free to contact us at searchteam@greentreechurch.com.
Update October 13, 2022
As you recall, The Search Team obtained the Services of the search firm, McGowan Global Institute to assist in our search. Using their model, they interviewed a third of the elders, deacons and staff over the summer. Recently, they held a GTCC Discovery Weekend. For three and a half hours on Friday night and over five hours on Saturday, an MGI consultant lead a Greentree focus group of 35 members and attenders through a discussion of Greentree’s past, present and future.
The focus group included youth, seniors and every age range in between. The group was comprised of founders, long-term members and members and attenders. Some were fairly new to the church. The group included people with various ministry experiences and varying voices and perspectives.
Before the sessions began, members of the search team, who were there to provide food and encouragement prayed individually and collectively that the Holy Spirit would be in the room. Our prayers were answered. It was a time of eager, genuine and respectful sharing.
We are so grateful to every person who participated. The search firm will take several weeks to share their impressions. The leader interviews and Discovery weekend will help us shape our Congregational and Pastor profile which will be shared with senior pastor candidates.
Update July 2022
We are excited to share that we have engaged with McGowan Global Institute, a pastor search firm that has conducted a number of high profile Presbyterian Senior Pastor searches around the country.
The first major phase in our partnership with McGowan involves the creation of a congregational profile, which will be used to communicate who Greentree is as a church with pastoral candidates. Because this profile aims to represent Greentree well, we will be utilizing McGowan’s two-step process to foster engagement with our church’s staff, leadership, members, and attendees.
A cross section of church leaders, including elders, deacons, and staff, will be interviewed in July and August. In late September/early October, we will host a two-day Discovery Weekend, inviting a representative cross section of approximately 40 members and attendees to discuss Greentree’s past history, present reality, and vision for the future. We look forward to the opportunity to learn more about who we are as a church and the ability to share that with our pastor candidates.
We value your insight and input as we continue this process of learning who God has for us as our next lead pastor. We will continue to provide updates as we are able and are so grateful for your continued prayers!
If you have questions, feel free to contact us at searchteam@greentreechurch.com.
Update May 2022
After much prayer and guidance, the Search Team feels led to partner with a search firm as we seek our next senior pastor. We believe this will allow us to best use our resources, while benefiting from the experience and networking that a search firm provides. Our team has researched and interviewed several firms, received approval for funding from the session, and narrowed our list of potential firms to those we believe will be the best fit for Greentree and our denomination. We are planning to have a firm fully engaged by the fall as we continue to take these early steps in Greentree’s senior pastor transition. Please continue to pray with us as we seek wisdom, discernment, and God’s will in this decision. If you have questions, feel free to contact us at searchteam@greentreechurch.com.
Prayer Update January 2022
As the Pastor Search Team contemplates our future steps, we find peace and assurance as we pause and remember God’s constant and ongoing provision for Greentree and our community. This season is one of both celebration and sadness—celebrating Tom and Cindy’s ministry and service over the past 23 years, while mourning the loss of their weekly visible presence. Even in the uncertain moments ahead, we rest in God’s faithfulness and rely on the promises of Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think. Please join us in prayer as we remember God’s blessings through Tom and Cindy.
Father God,
Thank you for the years you have given us with Tom and Cindy Ricks at Greentree. They have blessed us with their leadership, friendship, love for one another, and commitment to you. We ask that you protect their hearts through this transition, comforting them in sadness, leading them into deeper joy and excitement for the future, and providing for them so that they are overjoyed with reminders of your faithfulness. As you have loved them and they have loved us, let us love them well. Jesus, help us keep our eyes fixed on you, resting in your faithfulness and holding to your promises as we seek your word and your plan. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Update December 2021
When our team was convened, our initial inclination was to hit the ground running–but instead, we were called to wait. Heeding advice and counsel from our denomination officials, our presbytery, and our session to pause any active search until a transitional pastor was selected, we found ourselves in a period of waiting.
One positive benefit in stilling our own feet has been the opportunity it has given us to see God moving. During this period, we have prayed together every Monday morning and have met monthly to get organized as a team, to learn from resources about conducting pastoral searches, and to get to know one another better. God has made it clear to us that He has a plan and purpose for each of our unique strengths and experiences, allowing us to serve both individually and collectively in delegated roles. While we know these roles may shift as the search process continues, we have been affirmed in the ways God has brought our team together, and have committed by covenant to working together as we seek God’s direction in our search for our next senior pastor.
As we celebrate God’s provision and welcome Dr. Doriani as Greentree’s transitional pastor, we earnestly anticipate the next phase of the search process. At all times, and especially during our search process, prayer is of paramount importance and we hope that you will join us! We ask that you pray with us, both individually and as a congregation, engaging with us as we experience how God is working through our community. We will share opportunities for shared prayer and communication in the weeks and months ahead, and we encourage you to submit thoughts, questions, and prayer requests (searchteam@greentreechurch.com) as we continue this transition together.
Watch the update here.
Email Us
We encourage you to submit thoughts, questions, and prayer requests as we continue this transition together.