An Incredible Hire!
Five years ago, I began to think seriously about my retirement date and the process of transition. I wanted to do all I could to ensure a smooth handoff of leadership to the next Senior Pastor. But I was also aware of several key administrative leaders on our staff who are of my “vintage” and would be retiring around the same time as I. The new Senior Pastor would need a strong partner to guide the administrative side of the church.
I began to dream of a new position, a Chief Operating Officer, who would give oversight to HR, Finances, and Operations. My hope was to find an experienced business executive who loved Jesus and could imagine devoting the last part of his career to the service of the church. And I had one person in mind.
I’m delighted to tell you that, five years later, the Lord has fulfilled that dream. Beginning June 27, Steve Maxwell will commence his ministry with Chapel Hill as our new Chief Operating Officer.
Steve is no stranger to you. He and his family began worshiping here around 15 years ago. He has served as an Elder on our Session. Perhaps most significantly, Steve and his wife Kim chaired our Beyond These Walls campaign which paid off five and a half million dollars of debt and freed up over a half million dollars annually to be invested in ministry and mission.
Steve has 33 years of experience in the banking world. He served as President of the South Sound region of Key Bank before taking his most recent position as Executive Vice President and Chief Lending Officer for Kitsap Bank. Steve and Kim have two kids, Brynna and Nate, both of whom were raised in the church. You will see Nate in front on Sunday mornings leading in worship.
I cannot tell you how excited I am that a person of Steve’s experience and competence has accepted this invitation to ply his administrative skills within the context of the church. Steve tells me that more than 30 years ago, the pastor of the church where he served as a young businessman on their stewardship committee asked if he would ever consider serving in church administration. That planted a seed which has now come to fruition.
I can’t imagine a person better suited to overseeing the administrative side of our church, thus freeing up our pastoral team to do what they are called to do. Whomever God calls to be the Senior Pastor of Chapel Hill, Steve Maxwell will be a great gift to that person. And he is a great gift to us. Join me in thanking God for that gift and, when you give a chance, thank Steve for saying yes to this call.
Pastor Mark