The District Church
PASTORAL TRANSITION UPDATE
DECEMBER 17TH
HONOR & EXCHANGE
BETTIS FAMILY CELEBRATION
On Sunday, December 17th we will be celebrating and honoring our founding Pastor Boyd Bettis and the Bettis family for faithfully planting, serving, and leading The District Church.
DECEMBER 10THCHURCH VOTE
December 10th, our covenant members were given the opportunity to vote, and unanimously confirmed Pastor Joshua for the role of lead pastor at The District Church.
DECEMBER 3RD
CHURCH INFORMATION MEETING
On Sunday, December 3rd we will also have an opportunity to meet in the chapel after the gathering to hear more from the Elders and the Search Team.
November 26th
ELDER TEAM TO MEET
WITH PASTOR JOSHUA
The Elder Team will meet with Pastor Joshua on Sunday, November 26th. We anticipate having an update to share with you Sunday, December 3rd following their conversation.
NOVEMBER 5TH
PASTORAL SEARCH TEAM
CONFIRMS PASTOR JOSHUA
Pastor Joshua was interviewed by the Search Team on Sunday November 5th. The Search Team has affirmed that he is a qualified candidate for the Lead Pastor role!
November 5th
PASTORAL SEARCH TEAM TO INTERVIEW PASTOR JOSHUA
Sunday November 5th the “Pastoral Search Team” will conduct an interview with Pastor Joshua and Holly around the role of lead pastor.
OCTOBER
PASTORAL SEARCH UPDATE
Throughout the month of October the elders recommended Pastor Joshua Wicker as the internal candidate for lead pastor. The pastoral search team has also begun interviewing the District Church staff regarding Pastor Joshua as a candidate.
September 10th
PASTORAL SEARCH COMMITTEE ORIENTATION MEETING
The Pastor Search Committee had their Orientation Meeting led by Bob Bumgarner, Lead Missional Strategist with First Coast Churches. Bob is serving as the Church Health and Leadership Coach to the Pastor Search Committee.
September 6th
PASTORAL SEARCH COMMITTEE
Wednesday September 6th the proposed search committee was approved by The District Church.
September 2023
PASTORAL SEARCH
In the month of September we began a process to begin a search for the next lead pastor of The District Church.
August 2023
PASTORAL RESIGNATION COMMUNICATION
The month of August 2023 was spent working to communicate and process Pastor Boyd’s transition from lead pastor.
August 6th 2023
PASTORAL RESIGNATION ANNOUNCEMENT
Sunday August 6th Pastor Boyd announced to the church 2023 will be his final year pastoring The District Church.
APRIL 2023
FIRST COAST CHURCHES
The Pastors & Elders engaged with Bob Bumgarner, Lead Missional Strategist with First Coast Churches. Bob is serving as the Church Health and Leadership Coach to The District Church during the pastoral transition.
MARCH 2023
PASTORAL RESIGNATION
INTERNAL COMMUNICATION
Pastor Boyd shared with the Pastors, Elders and Staff that 2023 will be his final year pastoring The District Church.
JANUARY 7THINSTALLATION SUNDAY
Join us on Sunday, January 7th, as we install Pastor Joshua as the new lead pastor of The District Church.
A FEW WORDS FROM YOUR ELDERS
For most of this year we have sensed that God has been stirring the hearts of the Bettis family. As we have sought the Lord, we have seen God preparing a different place for them and a different leader for The District Church. First and foremost, understand this does not come from a place of sin or disqualification. It is vital we enter this trusting the heart of our pastor and most importantly trusting God. We are excited to see where the Lord leads them as they take bold steps of faith. We are extremely grateful for their leadership and sacrifice in planting and growing The District Church. We have been preparing for the next steps behind the scenes and commit to keeping you regularly updated through the process of selecting a new Lead Pastor.
A FEW WORDS FROM YOUR PASTOR
As it has been stated, I have not done anything to disqualify myself or am I being forced into a resignation due to any behind the scenes drama. It's overly important for you to understand that truth and believe that in our decision. Instead know that Brittany and I, along with our pastors and mentors, have wrestled with this for several months together. We have sought clarity on what the Lord has in store for us as a family and church.As I have sat here for the past year trying to express the emotions and thoughts that have guided our decisions over the past 15 years of our ministry, I keep coming back to you. Every decision we have made has been directly tied to you as The District Church. Every thing about our lives for the last 15 years has revolved around a shared vision to plant this church. So as would be expected, there are many mixed emotions, honest conversations, and tears that have been cried at the Bettis household walking into to today.
“THE YEAR OF GO” WE MUST ALWAYS ASK IS IT ME?
For the last year, we've sensed a significant change brewing in our hearts and ministry focus. As we embraced the concept of the "Year of Go," we began questioning whether we are the ones meant to go. I’ve reached moments of self-reflection on what are the gifts I have, what are burdens for the world we have, and where is our family at in all of this. For the past 2 years, we’ve been wrestling with the Lord about the need for the gospel in the most unreached places of the world. Though we don't have a complete picture yet, we are wholeheartedly saying "yes" to the Lord and preparing ourselves to follow wherever He leads us. We have no idea where that is going to be, but we know that sometimes following Jesus requires a “Yes, send me. I am available” even when you don’t fully know the answers.
PRIORITIZING OUR FAMILY > MINISTRY DEMANDS
We’ve always told you that your kids are your greatest ministry. Who you raise is far more important than who you reach.In this next season of life, we want to prioritize our family in greater and different ways than we have for the past 10 years. We feel that our decisions about our family need to be dictated around the next 4-7 years of their lives. We have come to grips with the reality that we have family of preteens and teenagers now, not kids! The passing of time and the stages of life have brought about changes in our perspectives and hearts. We recognize that we are entering a new phase, and we want to embrace it fully.There is a felt sense that the toil of church planting has created some areas of our family life that we want to re-prioritize to better serve and love these kids for their faith to flourish at home and in the church.
A NEW SEASON REQUIRES NEW LEADERSHIP
Finally, I must confess that I've been feeling that I may not be the right person to lead TDC and carry out its mission as we step into a new neighborhood. Admitting this is challenging, but both I and the other pastors have sensed that there is a unique individual that will be better suited to lead the church into the future. I want to step aside and pave the way for this person, supporting their journey and helping them build upon the foundation we've laid over the past decade.
MOVING FORWARD TOGETHER
I want to reiterate something that we say all the time that I think we often gloss over. “I am not The Pastor, this is not my church, the Church belongs to Jesus, and He has always been the true pastor. He has raised exceptional leaders among us to carry the mission and vision of TDC to places we couldn't have ever imagined.While today's announcement might come as a shock, you and I, will process a number of emotions over the next several months together. Please understand that it has not been a hasty decision. It has been a matter of of agonizing prayers and conversations for several months, if not over a year.
I cannot express enough how deeply Brittany and I love The District Church and every one of you as my church family. You have been incredibly gracious, supporting my growth as a leader, preacher, and pastor. You've allowed me to stumble, learn, and grow. For that, I am forever grateful.Though this season of life may seem perplexing, we have leaned on a verse that speaks to our hearts.
2 Chronicles 20:12–13 states,
"O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you. Meanwhile all Judah stood before the LORD, with their little ones, their wives, and their children."
We admit that we don't have all the answers, but we choose to trust the Lord and seek His guidance in His perfect timing. We want to do what Jehoshaphat prayed and did, “We don’t know Lord, but are going to stand here in this place until you tell us what to do.”
As we move forward, I'll continue to serve as the Lead Pastor until December 31st, aiding in the transition to appointing our new lead pastor. Our focus remains on the move to Murray Hill, but remember that the church has never been about a building or location. It’s about the community of believers, and that includes you.In this time of change, my family and I will prayerfully engage in conversations about what the Lord wants to accomplish in us and through us. More than anything else, I ask for your prayers, specifically for who we become during this season. The place will come on God’s timing of course, but who we are becoming in the process holds greater importance. It’s as I said two weeks ago, “Who I am as a child of God is far greater and important then what I do for God.”
Thank you for your understanding, support, and love. Let us all walking humbly, unified and focused on this next chapter with trust in the Lord's plan, knowing that He is always faithful.
- Pastor Boyd Bettis
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Why is Pastor Boyd stepping down as Lead Pastor?
After much contemplation and prayer over the past 1.5 years, the Bettis family has decided to transition to a new phase of ministry. Pastor Boyd shared with the church on August 6th that they have been wrestling with the call to "GO," especially in light of our Year of Go theme. Additionally, their family priorities have shifted since they planted the church, and the elders agree that a different kind of leader is needed to continue the mission in Murray Hill.
When is Pastor Boyd’s last day?
Pastor Boyd's last day as the lead pastor will be December 31st, He'll continue to preach most Sunday's until that date. Additional, in order to give Pastor Boyd some space to engage conversations about their future and to give more preaching reps to the staff, we'll shift to a rotation of preachers around late October.
How can we pray for the Bettis family?
Their primary prayer request from us is for God to shape, sanctify, and guide them into His calling, rather than just focusing on their destination. During this transition, they seek God's grace to grow as disciples of Jesus and as a family.
What can I do as a church member?
The best thing will always be praying for the church. We know that at times like this the enemy can whisper lies and create confusion. It's our hope for you to be with us as a staff/elders diligently praying for TDC's future. We believe this is all in the hands of the Lord and we should not grow anxious or weary, but grow in our dependance upon him!
What ministry will they be doing?
At this point, the Bettis family is uncertain about their next ministry endeavor. While it may seem daunting, they are also excited about the possibilities. There are moments in life when God calls us to obedience and faith, and they have a few ideas of where and how they would love to serve next. As elders and pastors, we are standing with them in prayer and support during this transitional period.
Is there something bad happening?
No, quite the opposite. The District Church has never been built solely on Pastor Boyd; he has always emphasized that Jesus is our Senior Pastor. This transition is not due to disqualification or termination. Thankfully, God has blessed us with a great team of committed leaders who will safeguard the mission, vision, and future of TDC. Remember, this is not the first time we've experienced such a transition. In the past, we have sent out staff members to plant churches! It just now happens to be our lead pastor's turn to answer the call "to go" in our Year of Go.
What happens if Pastor Boyd moves or we find a new lead pastor before December 31st?
We will celebrate it! Pastor Boyd has committed to supporting and coaching our new lead pastor well beyond his time on staff here. If the Bettis family moves before that, we have capable men who can step in to preach.
Is there more?
The truth is, there is no scandal, sin, or hidden disagreements behind Pastor Boyd's decision. The Bettis family has genuinely wrestled with this for the past 1.5 years, and the decision was made in consultation with our staff. The elders, pastors, and staff fully support their choice and are looking forward to sending them off into their next season of ministry.
Who will be our next lead pastor and what does that process look like?
Since Pastor Boyd shared his sense of God's leading, our staff and elders have diligently sought coaching and assistance in managing this transition and appointing a new lead pastor. We have been revisiting our by-laws, creating church and community profiles to identify the ideal candidate, and establishing a process for the appointment.
Will we still be moving to Murray Hill now?
Absolutely! We are delighted to share that our permits are being processed, and construction for our new Kids building and the Murray Hill Theatre will commence soon. Remember, our mission is to make disciples, and though we're excited about our new home, TDC has never been solely focused on its physical location.
What else is going to change about TDC?
Though some things may change due to the transition, our core mission, vision, culture, and doctrine remain steadfast. We are still dedicated to reaching people with the gospel. Whenever a significant leader departs, it presents an opportunity for the church to lean into God's grace, deepen our prayer life, and come together in carrying out the mission. While we are sad to see Pastor Boyd leave, we are also excited about the growth and change that this season will bring. We firmly believe that God has specific leaders and plans for every season in the life of a church, and we expect Him to do immeasurably more in the life of our church, families, and city!