New Assistant Pastor

New Assistant Pastor

Most of you will know that for a long time we have been looking for an Assistant Pastor to help carry the weight of leading The Beacon Church. To be honest I have approached several guys over the last 18 months who have all turned me down! At the beginning of this year however we found ourselves in the peculiar and happy position of having 3 guys in the church putting themselves forward for the post.

After much deliberation, many meetings and interviews, countless emails, we have decided to appoint Andrew Booth to the post. He will hopefully start in April 09.

Andrew has been known to me for many years and has proven ministry and church leadership experience from his previous church in Sheffield. I am confident he and Sally will be a great addition to the Team.

Leadership Changes and Challenges

On Sunday 8th February I had the privilege of being at Harvest Church Alton (part of the Newfrontiers family) for the appointing of new leaders. The occasion also marked the handover of leadership of the church from Olaf Fogwill to Simon Corlett. Olaf literally handed a baton over to Simon in a moving and powerful demonstration of the change of leadership. Olaf has served the church excellently for 10 years.

This Sunday (15th Feb) I am going with my family to Grace Church Caversham for the appointing of a new leader to join the Team there.

Growing churches need to grow leaders. I am so grateful for more than 50 leaders who serve faithfully every week at The Beacon in various ministries. The challenge to us all, whatever our sphere of ministry, is to be training and equipping others – even to replace us.

We are also facing this challenge as we continue our search for additional staff and additional office and ministry space – should the building come down in the summer. We think we may have found an exciting solution to the office dilemma this week courtesy of a dear Roman Catholic brother.