Pastor Joe Gerault's Change in Staff Role

As several of you know, Pastor Joe Gerault, who has been on the pastoral staff at Calvary for over seventeen years, has had some serious health challenges in recent years.  His condition is called Ataxia and it is a deteriorating illness.  (I posted on this blog about it on January 19:  Joe Gerault's Medical Update).


This condition has made Joe’s job very difficult over the last several months.  As he and I have discussed the progress of this over the last couple of months, at his request, we have agreed that it is best for him to move from a full time role on staff to a part time role.

This agreement has been approved by the personnel committee and it will be effective July 1st.  Joe’s responsibilities will be primarily in the area of pastoral care and will not include most of the administrative responsibilities he has now.  Much of what Joe took care of in the area of administration will now move to James McGinnis (church business administrator), me (as lead pastor) and the rest of the pastoral staff.  We will be transitioning those roles over the next six weeks or so.

This comes in the midst of some slight staff restructuring that was under way already.  I am still visiting one-on-one with staff members before we finalize this restructuring.  Once it is finalized, we will announce it to all and implement it accordingly.  I am working closely with the personnel committee before moving to any implementation of changes.

Please pray for Pastor Joe.  We are so grateful for the great contribution he has made to our church for many years, for his spirit and example in dealing with such a difficult illness, and for his willingness to continue to serve in a new role.

Given the financial environment in the church and the valley, all of these changes call for each of the current staff members to adapt to our job responsibilities.  I am working hard to make sure these changes are equitable across the board and I hope that we will learn how to be more efficient, but more importantly, more effective in mobilizing the church for God's mission.

Please know that we are praying for each staff member.  We would like to count on your prayers also during this transition.  I am confident that the Lord is leading us forward and will continue to lead us as we trust and depend on him.   ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty  (Zech 4:6).