Dear Metropolitan Family,

Two weeks ago, Pastor John Frawley shared with the congregation that he would be transitioning out of his role as senior pastor after the New Year. We are pleased to share that we have a clear path forward in light of his absence.

After extended deliberation, the Board of Elders has unanimously decided to partner with Interim Pastor Ministries (IPM). Through this partnership, Metropolitan will be guided by a very intentional interim process. A traditional interim pastor only provides ongoing preaching, shepherding, and leadership to a congregation while the church seeks the next pastor. An intentional interim is more deliberate and slows the process down considerably with the stated goal of making Metropolitan healthier and more prepared for its next senior pastor. Their process involves three distinct phases:

• Listening: Gaining insight into our church’s strengths and challenges.

• Recommendations: Providing actionable steps for growth and healing.

• Strategic Plan: Developing a clear plan to guide us forward. During the final phase, when we truly understand the kind of church we are and where we’re headed, we will begin the search and interview process for a permanent pastor.

In our research, one church shared:  “Elders need to be prepared to be an open book—open to change, views, and opinions. There are painful lessons to learn, but IPM nailed it and identified a clear path forward.”

We ask for your continued prayers for discernment as the elders lead us through this important journey.

For Christ,
The Elder Board of Metropolitan Bible Church