Caleb Click Elected as Next OMPC Lead Pastor
“An Ebenezer Moment for OMPC”
It is with great joy to share that Caleb Click was elected as the next Lead Pastor of OMPC during this morning's Congregational Meeting!
Throughout our time this morning, we heard from the Pastoral Search Committee on the three phases of their search:
Phase 1 - Preparation: During this phase (which began a year ago this Fall!), we nominated and voted to approve our Pastoral Search Committee. This committee then began building a relationship with our consultants (McGowan Global Institute), who helped guide them in the next steps to prepare for the search. The PSC formed a preaching evaluation form, interviewed various other pastors who have experienced similar transitions and then held the Discovery Weekend with several OMPC members from various ages/stages/stages of involvement and years of membership.
Phase 2 - Evaluation: During Phase 2, the PSC began receiving applications for the Lead Pastor role at OMPC. Candidate sources included congregant nominations, connections from our consultants and referrals from other pastors. The PSC had 50 candidates to assess with their evaluation process, which they evaluated concurrently over the course of several months. The elements of evaluation included a review of the resume, listening to sermons, review of written articles and social media accounts, various interviews and reference checks. Through this process, the PSC narrowed the 50 candidates down to one candidate, Caleb Click. We were reminded this morning that the PSC was unanimous in their recommendation of Caleb as the next Lead Pastor at OMPC. And as we've heard many times, it was truly a "parade of providence" which led the committee to discover that Caleb "checked every box" and more!
Phase 3 - Recommendation, Vote and Installation: We are now in Phase 3. The PSC brought forth Caleb Click's name to our congregation on August 13, followed by a formal introduction letter which included Caleb's major educational and ministry accomplishments, as well as some personal information about himself and his family. Last Sunday, August 20, we received the Word preached by Caleb during 8:15 & 10:45 am services and then had the opportunity to hear from him on a more personal level during our combined 9:30 am gathering in the Sanctuary.
As a part of this morning's meeting introduction, Greg shared this to be an "Ebenezer moment" for our church. After over 34 years of faithful ministry as the Lead Pastor of OMPC, Bob is elated over all God is doing to bring forth Caleb Click as the next Lead Pastor for the Lord's church at this time.
Now that Caleb has been voted upon and elected by our congregation as the next OMPC Lead Pastor, the next step is for him to be presented to, examined and approved by Evangel Presbytery in November.
Over the weeks and months ahead, please pray:
For Caleb, Mallory, Mary Neal, Alice, Lucy and Maggie as they prepare to transition to Birmingham and OMPC
For the Clicks to find a house
For Perimeter Church in this transition
For continued momentum for OMPC this Fall
For our hearts to savor time with Bob (Click here for information on our church-wide Celebration Sunday for Bob & Laurie!)
We are excited to see all the Lord has in store for OMPC in the years ahead. And we praise God for all he has done for his body at OMPC in this transition and over the last 34 years! To him be the glory forever!
Additional items covered during the meeting:
In accordance with the PCA Book of Church Order, OMPC approved the change of Bob Flayhart from Lead Pastor to Assistant Pastor, effective January 1, 2024.
As a congregation, we thanked and formally dismissed the Pastoral Search Committee from their work in the search process over the past 11 months. They received a standing ovation from the congregation.
