The Co-Pastor Search Begins

by Doug Rehberg

This month we embark on the process of finding and securing the first ordained pastor Hebron has called in nearly 30 years. Throughout the last three decades  Hebron has been served by a wonderful group of men and women who have been assembled by God to fulfill a variety of critical ministries, but no additional ordained pastor has been hired. Our goal is to call and install a second ordained pastor at Hebron by the Fall of this year.

As you know from the Say Yes initiative launched on September 15, 2017, our desire is to call a full-time co-pastor who will serve along side me and well beyond my tenure. Until then, both of us will report to the Session and work together to move the mission of Hebron forward into an exciting and challenging future.

A Pulpit Nominating Committee (PNC) is in the process of formalizing Hebron’s Ministry Information Form (MIF). This MIF will be posted across the country to provide potential applicants a clear insight into who we are and where we are going.  I’d like to share with you our answers to the following two questions: “What is Hebron’s  vision for ministry and how is it lived out?” and “How will a co-pastor help you reach your goals?”

“The vision for Hebron’s ministry is simple. We seek to be used by God to show Himself to the world. In John 14:6,7 Jesus says, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.’ We believe that there is one complete and sufficient revelation of the triune God and that is the Lord Jesus Christ. It is He, in all His fullness, that has captured our hearts and has called us to show Him to the world. It is our desire in all that we say and do, to represent Jesus to all people, everywhere.

“At Hebron we seek to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ and equip the saints for the work of ministry (Eph. 4:12), through a 3-prong discipleship model. First, we seek to grow deeply in our knowledge of God and His written Word. We do this principally through “Groves”. Groves are gatherings of members and guests who meet together weekly to study the Scriptures directly or through other Christian books that illuminate the Scriptures. Groves are held on and off campus throughout the year in two or three 12 to 15 week sessions. The beauty of Groves is that people sign up before each session, allowing for a regular intermixing of new and experienced “students”. In addition to digging deeply into God’s Word, we are committed to fostering growing relationships where people can be known and cared for. It is our conviction that spiritual growth occurs on relational bridges. It is our goal to foster these relationships from the superficial to ones that are deep and abiding. Finally, we are committed to engaging our people in the work of ministry beyond our walls through a growing number of local and global ministries we have bred or identified as like-minded partners. Throughout the years God has blessed Hebron to achieve our goals with an ever-growing number of saints doing the work of ministry and showing God to the world.
“The co-pastor position is uniquely designed to move the vision and mission of Hebron forward by engaging a crucial segment of Hebron’s population for growth and nurture. We believe that now and in the future young adults and young families who are engaged in Hebron’s ministry are an essential demographic for Hebron to thrive and flourish in accomplishing its vision. In addition to other pastoral and administrative duties, the co-pastor’s principle task will be to pastor this vital segment of Hebron Church. Therefore, we are seeking someone with a proven track record of discipleship, vision-casting, and leadership development of young adults.

“The co-pastor will not begin this ministry in a vacuum. Already an excellent foundation has been established, with many young adults and young families thoroughly engaged in Hebron’s vision-directed ministry. However, it is our intention to give the co-pastor the needed and necessary latitude to design or refine a comprehensive ministry plan for young adults and young families that conforms to Hebron’s mission and vision. Indeed, all of Hebron’s resources will be available to achieve success. When it becomes time for the co-pastor to assume the role of senior pastor, the ministry that has grown and developed under his/her tutelage will be handed over to an associate pastor who will be called as the primary pastor to this demographic.

“We have seen throughout the years that a vital young adult and young family ministry brings energy to the work of the overall ministry inside and outside the church. For Hebron to achieve its vision, it is imperative for us to invest in the spiritual nurture and development of its young adults. We believe the co-pastor will be essential to meeting this need.”
I am excited to work alongside someone who shares our common vision. Please join with me in praying for our future co-pastor and for the PNC as they review the candidates.