Leadership Transition – FAQs
We are grateful for every person who is lifting our church up in prayer. We ask you to pray for wisdom for our board and staff as they lead through this transition, for grace and healing for all who have been affected, for unity within our congregation, and for clarity as we seek God’s direction for the future of First Alliance Church.
The board’s decision followed concerns related to Paul’s leadership of staff and volunteers, and a pattern of inappropriate interpersonal interactions within some of those relationships. These concerns were brought to the attention of the appropriate denominational channels and the FAC board.
Our board, with the support of district leadership, determined that these actions were not acceptable with the expectations we hold for those in pastoral leadership. We want to be as transparent as we can while also honoring our commitment to privacy and care for all involved. Sharing additional details beyond this at this time would not serve the church well and could cause unnecessary harm to those affected.
The Christian and Missionary Alliance is committed to the care of its ministers and their families, and that commitment extends to this situation. Our district leadership is aware of the circumstances and is engaged in an appropriate pastoral care process.
Additionally, the FAC board has provided monetary resources to be used for professional counseling as desired. We ask the congregation to extend grace and to hold Paul and his family in prayer during this time.
The board consulted closely with our District Superintendent throughout this process. District leadership will continue to be a resource and partner as we navigate this transition, including guidance around interim leadership, pastoral care, and the search for our next Lead Pastor.
The C&MA has a discipline process for licensed workers. This process includes a district-level investigation committee that then presents findings to a denominational discipline committee. At that time, a hearing will be held to determine a judgment on the findings. From these findings, there are several possible outcomes that could affect a licensed worker’s ability to serve further with the denomination.
We have engaged an independent third-party organization called GRACE to provide an objective review of the concerns that were raised, which led to board action.
This will include interviews with staff, volunteers, and others who wish to be interviewed as it pertains to this matter. This is an important step in ensuring that our process is thorough, fair, and conducted with integrity. A communication from the Leadership Board will be sent to the FAC family in the coming weeks with an opportunity to participate in a survey from GRACE.
Additionally, they will evaluate relevant policies and processes and make recommendations to improve the policies and culture of FAC. Our commitment is to handle this with care, transparency, and accountability. When this process is complete, we will provide an opportunity for the entire church to hear a report on the findings.
The well-being of our staff and volunteers is a top priority. We are providing additional counseling and support to those who were affected, and we are committed to ensuring that our team feels valued, heard, and safe.
Additional details about specific care measures are being kept private out of respect for the individuals involved. If you call First Alliance home and need to talk with someone about care, please contact the church and request to speak to FAC’s Director of Congregational Care.
We recognize that this season calls us to reflect carefully on our structures and practices. We are committed to reviewing and strengthening the accountability measures within our church, and the hiring of GRACE, the third-party independent organization, is one step in that direction.
As appropriate, we will communicate further as we implement any changes. We welcome input from our congregation through our dedicated Leadership Board email at leadershipboard@faclex.com.
The board has selected Dan McPherson for the position of Interim Lead Pastor. Dan has served as our High School Pastor since 2015 and has the support of our staff during this interim time. Our staff team remains in place and committed to the ministry of First Alliance Church. Our Leadership Board, in close partnership with our District Superintendent, will continue to provide leadership to FAC.
Our mission has not changed, and we are committed to maintaining the ministry and programs we depend on. Sunday services, groups, and other ministries will continue.
Where any adjustments are necessary, we will communicate those clearly and as early as possible. We are grateful for the dedication of our staff and volunteer teams who are continuing to serve faithfully.
We are in the early stages of this transition and will be working with our district leadership on the pastoral search process. This will be a thoughtful and prayerful process that involves appropriate input from our congregation and denominational partners.
Our current 12-member board will serve as the main search committee for the Lead Pastor. We will also convene an advisory committee to add additional perspective from the broader congregation. As appropriate, we will share more information about the search process in the future.
We are committed to keeping the church informed at each stage and will share more details as the process takes shape.
We want to hear from you. Whether you have a question, a concern, or just need someone to talk to, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us directly at leadershipboard@faclex.com. Every message is read with care, and we’ll make sure you’re connected with the right person.