When Scott arrived at OCC in 2013 as Lead Pastor, he had a vision to shift the staff from what at the time was a flat organizational structure to more of a team-based structure with clearly defined departments. Each team, or department, would have a leader who oversaw the staff in those ministry areas. And then we would eventually hire one Executive Pastor who would oversee each department head and focus on the implementation of church vision into ministry strategy.
Last September, the staff made the first step towards that goal by creating a Leadership Team that consisted of Scott and five department heads. For the past eight months, Donnie Thomas has led our Operations Department, which includes overseeing facilities, finances, communication, and guest services. Chris Hall has overseen our Community Life & Care Department, which includes Neighborhood Networks, 55+ Ministry, The Common Good Community Store, Benevolence, and other local outreach opportunities. Russ Smith has overseen our foreign mission trips and provided leadership for our Next Gen Department, which includes birth through High School students. Titus Chapman had led our Worship & Creative Arts Department. And Josh Lambert has led and managed the Rec Center.
Presently, all five department heads report to Scott, which at times has led Scott to jokingly describe himself as the "bottle-neck" of the church. While that may be going too far, it is difficult for any one person to serve as part of the eldership that sets vision and direction for the church, function as the primary communicator of that vision for the congregation, study and preach on a weekly-basis, offer pastoral care to church members, be an active part of the community, and oversee the day-to-day operations and implementation of ministry strategy.
This is where Greg comes in. As a church, we always want be getting better at what we do and become better stewards of what God has blessed us with. We believe it's important to free Scott for what he does best while at the same time finding someone who can improve some of our present weaknesses. We believe Greg will do both. In the process, he will make everyone around him better, which will only increase our overall health and effectiveness as a church. Here is what Scott and Donnie have to say about Greg.
"One of the things I like best about Greg is that he has Owensboro roots. He knows and loves this church and community. He's looking forward to taking what he's learned over the past eighteen years and using that to bless a place that has meant so much to him."
- Scott Kenworthy, Lead and Teaching Pastor
"I'm excited about what Greg brings to Owensboro Christian. One thing we talk a lot about is putting our staff in position to serve in their sweet spot. Greg's presence will allow each of us to sharpen our ministry focus. This benefits everybody, including Scott, myself, and the whole church."
- Donnie Thomas, Operations Team Leader
With hopes this hire would come in 2015, the elders budgeted for six months of the Executive Pastor's salary. That means Greg's hire and July start date were planned and approved and thus have no effect on the 2015 budget.
The following is a summary of the Executive Pastor's duties.
"The Executive Pastor is a senior level position that is responsible for the effective implementation of the vision, mission and values of Owensboro Christian Church, as well as day-to-day operations. This position will have oversight of the Leadership Team and be responsible for integrating the ministries of Owensboro Christian Church in a manner that supports our strategic direction. This leader serves as the operational bridge between the creation of vision and the development of specific ministry plans by each ministry area. The Executive Pastor will also provide high-level counsel to the Lead Pastor, serving as both his biggest supporter and most constructive critic. Through coaching and managing the ministries and ministers of Owensboro Christian Church, the Executive Pastor will operationally help our church realize and fulfill its mission."
Please join me in welcoming Greg and Amy Gilmore to Owensboro Christian Church. Greg and Amy both grew up in Owensboro and have deep roots in the community. Amy attended OCC as a child and student. And Greg's father, Dennis, served as an elder from 2001 to 2013.
Greg and Amy have two awesome boys, Keaton, who will be twelve in June, and going into 7th Grade, and Beckett, who is nine and will be going into 4th Grade.
This is truly a family on mission for the Kingdom of God. And we are blessed to have them joining us at OCC this July.
As we prepare for the arrival of the Gilmore's, here are some items to dedicate to God in prayer:
- 1. Pray for the lost in our community, country, and the world, that all will come to know Jesus.
- 2. Pray that Greg, Amy, Keaton, and Beckett find a home in Owensboro and have a smooth transition.
- 3. Pray that Crossroads Christian Church will have a smooth transition as the Gilmore's prepare to leave and a huge success on opening their fifth campus this fall in Pikeville.
- 4. Pray for Owensboro Christian Church to glorify God in all we do.
- 5. Pray that our debt is eliminated completely by the end of 2016.
- 6. Pray for the continued planning and drawings being done for our Kids Wing improvements.
- 7. Pray that the Holy Spirit fills each of us in our daily walk with the Lord.
"Rejoice always; pray without ceasing..." (1 Thessalonians 5:16,17)
Randy Bush | Chairman of the Elders
