PORTICO Elders - Frequently Asked Questions

PORTICO Annual Business Meeting 2019 – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Q1. Is Pastor Doug leaving?

Pastor Doug is not leaving PORTICO. As part of the succession plan, Pastor Doug will continue to

serve the mission and vision of the church as a teaching pastor and a member of the pastoral team. Details of his new role are still being developed.

Q2. What is motivating this decision, at this time?

Pastor Doug and The Board agree that Succession planning is key to the ongoing strength and success of any organization. It is driven by our collective desire to care for and position PORTICO to continue steadfast in our drive to help people find their way back to God. As a result, this topic has been an ongoing discussion at the board (including Pastor Doug) for a number of years. In September of 2018, following the Spirit’s prompting, Pastor Doug asked the Elders to begin work on a leadership transition plan. After much prayer, reflection and conversation, the Elders unanimously felt that the timing of this request was aligned with the Spirit’s leading. We continue to pray and trust God that he will guide the process and timing of this plan in his perfect will.

Q3. Why is this good for PORTICO?

PORTICO is God’s church – the role of the Elder Board and Senior Pastor is to ensure that we are directing and over-seeing this part of his body in line with God’s leading. This includes who He has chosen to lead PORTICO, and when it is time to look towards the future. This succession discussion has been initiated by the Holy Spirit speaking into the hearts of Pastor Doug and the Elder Board over a period of months and years. All involved have confidence that God has good things in store for PORTICO’s future. There is also a recognition that lack of succession planning can result in serious hardships for any organization or church, especially when the Senior Pastor retires. This succession plan will enable PORTICO to continue to thrive with an orderly transition to a younger leader for the future, but with our current Senior Pastor as part of the team providing both strength and continuity.

Q4. How will this impact PORTICO's current Vision and Mission?

The Elder Board and Pastor Doug have worked intentionally such that PORTICO’s Vision and Mission has been inspired by the Holy Spirit. The Vision, Mission and Ends are evaluated formally on an annual basis as part of our governance process with much prayer and reflection.

The succession plan will not on its own have any impact on PORTICO’s vision and mission; it is intended to transition the Senior Pastor role in alignment with the Vision and Mission.

Changes to Vision and Mission need to be Holy Spirit directed and agreed to by the Elder Board and Senior Pastor and communicated to the PORTICO members and family.