Transition Updates

November 16, 2024

On Sunday, November 17, Bellevue will vote to establish a Pastor Search Committee. This committee will be responsible for:

• Prayerfully establishing a process for identifying God’s man for the Senior Pastor role at Bellevue.
• Prayerfully execute that process to identify God’s man for the role of Senior Pastor.
• Communicate periodic search committee updates and progress reports to the church staff, deacon body, and the church as a whole.
• Present that pastoral candidate to the church for a vote of acceptance.

On October 7, 2024, Bellevue’s full-time staff and active deacons were invited to submit nominations for members of the search committee. The Pastoral Transition Committee took those nominations and prayerfully selected 12 individuals to form a proposed Pastor Search Committee. Each of the candidates have, by God’s grace, agreed to serve our church through this important role. 

Continuing the precedent Dr. Rogers established, we have not included anyone on this committee that has previously served on a Pastor Search Committee at Bellevue.

Each of the names on the committee were presented to our deacon body and received a vote of their endorsement.

Proposed Pastor Search Committee
Chad Hall, Chairman
Mark Smith, Vice Chairman
Wes Bowen
Marvin Coleman
Paula Cowart
Miguel Ibanez
John Jerkins
Blake Nelson
Phillip Pinkston
Sammy Ragan
Laura Simons
Jean Stockdale

November 7, 2024

As Bro. Steve announced on September 22, he is beginning to transition out of the senior pastorate at Bellevue and into itinerate ministry. He has asked two committees to come alongside the church to help facilitate the transition.

Pastoral Transition Committee

This committee will have several objectives:

1. Facilitate the transition of Bro. Steve out of the role of Senior Pastor at Bellevue and into a new position that accomplishes the following:
   • Provides for the success and principal leadership of Bellevue’s new Senior Pastor.
   • Provides a home church base for the Gaineses’ itinerate ministry.
   • In appreciation for our Pastor’s service to our Lord and our church, the committee is authorized to develop and implement a plan that provides for Bro. Steve’s and Mrs. Gaines’ current and future needs.
2. Establish and commission a Pastor Search Committee, which will prayerfully create and execute a process to identify God’s man for the role of Senior Pastor at Bellevue.
3. Communicate transition updates and progress reports as appropriate to the church staff, the deacon body, and the church as a whole.
4. Facilitate the transition of God’s man into the role of Senior Pastor at Bellevue.

Bro. Steve has asked the following men to serve on the Pastoral Transition Committee:

• Wes Bowen, Chairman
• Jeff Arnold
• Chad Hall
• Harry Smith
• Mark Smith
• Steve Gaines, Ex Officio

This group has already met in an advisory role to Bro. Steve. Bellevue will vote on the establishment of the Pastoral Transition Committee on Sunday, November 10.

The Pastoral Transition Committee will terminate at a time determined by the new Senior Pastor.

Pastor Search Committee

Bellevue’s active deacons and full-time staff were invited to submit the names of three people for consideration for Bellevue’s Pastor Search Committee. The names were submitted to and collated by the Transition Committee. The Pastoral Transition Committee would then prayerfully select up to 12 names from the nominations provided and recommend a Pastor Search Committee to the church.

The Pastor Search Committee will work to:

1. Prayerfully establish a process for identifying God’s man for the Senior Pastor role at Bellevue.
2. Prayerfully execute that process to identify God’s man for the role of Senior Pastor.
3. Communicate periodic search committee updates and progress reports to the church staff, deacon body, and the church as a whole.
4. Present that pastoral candidate to the church for a vote of acceptance.

Bellevue will vote on the establishment of the Pastor Search Committee on Sunday, November 17.