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Lead Pastor Search

Lead Pastor Search

On Sunday, September 10, we held a congregational meeting where we discussed the Lead Pastor Search and ongoing ministry updates of Calvary. You can watch it below. Here's a brief list of what was discussed at the meeting:

  • Lead Pastor Job Description & Profile (begins at 7:03)
  • Lead Pastor Search Process
  • Selecting a Pastoral Search Team
  • Finance Update (begins at 1:02:00)
  • Student Ministry Director Search (begins at 1:18:45)
  • Community Ministry Director Search (begins at 1:28:32)


If you want to read any of the packets mentioned in the video, click on the links below.

Student Ministry Director
Job Description

Community Ministry Director
Job Description
Position Profile




Past Updates

A brief update about what different teams have been working on recently.

Download Here

A letter from the Advisory Team sharing updates on the work streams initiated before a new Lead Pastor is hired.

Download Here

Check out the Video Update Here

An update on the transition and staffing.

Check out the Video Update Here

If you would like to request access to the document referenced in the video, please CLICK HERE.

Check out the Video Update Here

For those of you who watched remotely, I'm very sorry that the feed cut off prematurely. For others who weren't able to make it, we wanted to make sure that the content from the entire meeting was recorded and made available upon request. Because this was a family meeting we are taking measures to ensure that it doesn't get widely distributed.

  • Here is a link to the video from our July 17 church-wide meeting.

  • When you click the link, it will take you to a google drive file and you will need to click the blue "request access" button.

  • Once access has been given, you'll receive an email notifying that you now have access to view the video. 

  • Click the link in that second email and it will pull up the video.

For those who have trouble watching the video electronically we will be setting up some dates and times for group viewing at the church on upcoming Sunday mornings. Stay tuned for more information to come. 

Check out the Video Update Here

Thank you to everyone who completed the Church Assessment Tool survey. 763 people took the assessment which represents 89% of our current weekly average attendance of 857. With so many responses, NL Moore has a high degree of confidence in the results.

NL Moore has prepared and provided us with an Executive Summary of the results of the Church Assessment Tool. This summary can be considered "quantitative data." Qualitative data that was shared through focus groups and interviews with staff and elders is still being processed. Once that information is received and processed by our church leadership, we will make known those findings and recommendations to the larger church as we consider the next steps in our transition process.

What can we do in the meantime?

The summary is likely to spark a lot of conversation throughout the church. Thank you for your part in fostering peace and conflict resolution. Also, please reflect on this report. There are many opportunities in front of us as a church to grow and pursue health as we seek to continue with our mission of changing lives and transforming communities in the name of Jesus. This is a shared goal which requires each of us together playing our part.


Click Here to View the Summary
Check out the Video Update Here

Changes happening to the budget.

We have made adjustments to our 2022 operating budget (just under $4.7 million) by cutting around $350,000 in light of current giving trends. We're thankful for you, church, for responding as we've seem some consistent growth when it comes to giving. However, we still have some more work to do with our budget, so we're working on future cuts to be good stewards and to be responsible with what the Lord has entrusted us with. We're asking, as the Lord leads you, to continue to faithfully support and partner with us so we can all do the work we feel led to do.

What is happening and coming up at each Campus

Exciting things are happening at each campus. New people are joining us and getting connected each week. We will have baptism services at each campus on May 1. Our family dedication services will happen during services on Mother's Day, May 8. And finally, on September 17 & 18, we'll all join together for our 60th Anniversary Celebration.

First steps in the pastor search process

We are partnering with NL Moore, a company made up of believers whose sole purpose and passion is matching the right pastor with the right church. One of the main tools they use is the Congregational Assessment Tool. This assessment will be made available for members and attenders to take beginning April 24. This Church Assessment Tool will provide us with valuable insight to help us find the right Lead Pastor for our church. Your input will be very helpful in this process so we hope you'll make time in your schedule to take the assessment. It will be available until Sunday, May 8. You'll receive email reminders to participate and there will be a link to the assessment from this page.

Advisor Paul

Paul Utnage, Interim Lead Pastor of Calvary Church

Paul comes to Calvary with over four decades of ministry experience. He has served as a Youth Pastor, Senior Pastor, and Executive Pastor in churches of all sizes and in regions as diverse as Alaska, Arizona, Texas, Ohio, and Montana. His teaching and pastoral roles have taken him to international settings in Russia, Africa, Vietnam, and China.

Over the years God placed Paul into a number of church situations that needed immediate, intentional restoration and change from unhealthy leadership or organizational cultures. He has a zeal for gospel-oriented ministry, organizational development, team development, missional engagement, coaching leaders, strategic planning, change management, and consulting with churches to bring about health and growth in creative and enthusiastic ways. His personal passion is for “healthy leaders, healthy teams, healthy churches, and a healthy impact for Christ.” We're very excited to welcome Paul as he leads Calvary Church into this next season!