Selection Process for WCC's Lead Pastor

From Chris Yarco, Lead Executive

As part of the family of Willamette, we invite you to learn more about who we are as a church, and to stay informed about how we are growing and addressing the transition in campus leadership. If at any point, you desire more information, we’d love to have a conversation with you. Just ask.

Our Elders

We have one elder board who is accountable for the overall mission and vision of our church. These elders typically worship at their home church on one of our campuses, but they are responsible for providing solid governance, wise counsel, and healthy teaching for our entire church family.

As Lead Executive, Chris Yarco reports directly to the Elder Board, and together this team is responsible for the ultimate decision for the next Lead Pastor to join the team. This team is working with Lead Pastors Jon Furman and Daniel Knutson, members of the staff, and members of the WCC family to clearly identify the character, experience, and vision required of the future lead for the WCC Campus. Once that discussion is complete, and with much prayer, we will develop the path toward meeting with possible leaders, and how we will make final decisions. Keep praying for this process and we will continue to update you.

Mike Grubb, Joe Villa, Kevin Marple and Rich Miller are current elders serving multi-year terms. For those who are curious, elder candidates are invited by the team to journey alongside existing elders in a non-official manner for many seasons before adoption to eldership. We are consistently praying about and connecting with those who may be called for future eldership by evidence of their Godly character, humble servanthood, and wise discernment.

Joy Through Unity

The Apostle Paul challenged the church in Philippi to “make my joy complete by thinking the same way, having the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose” (Philippians 2:2). As Paul was writing to a diverse group of people filled with Jews and Gentiles, men and women, young and old, wealthy and poor, former slaves and Roman guards (see Acts 16), he encouraged them to be one. Their unity around what was most important to them did not crush their diversity; instead, it showed a spotlight on the source of their unity—the gospel. Thanks for being part of the Willamette family.

Respectfully,

Chris Yarco