Our
Story
On May 4th, P. Brandon Beebe, our Lead Pastor, shared with the congregation that he will be stepping down from his pastorate at Community Church at the end of the year.
On this page, you will find all the information regarding the pastoral succession plan from the Board of Trustees and P. Brandon.
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During this season of change, we invite all of us to turn to Christ together and lean into the direction and counsel of the Holy Spirit as we seek God's plan and provision for Community Church's next stage of life.
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Pray with us
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Heavenly Father,
We come before You with grateful hearts, thanking You for the shepherd You have provided in our Lead Pastor. As we enter this season of discernment, we seek guidance from Your Holy Spirit.
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Lord Jesus, lead us as we look for a new shepherd after Your own heart - one who will nurture, serve, and lead our congregation in your life-changing love.
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Guide us in unity, strengthen our faith, and fill us with hope as we trust in Your perfect plan.
In Your name, we pray. Amen.
Pastoral
Transition
FAQs
from P. Brandon
Stacey and I are incredibly grateful to have served with you over the last six years. While some of that time has been challenging, it has always been fruitful. Here are just some of the Kingdom growth that we are celebrating:
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Discerning God’s vision and mission for a new generation at CCD.
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Re-establishing financial health, retiring over $750k in debt, and building strategic reserves to fuel and fund our mission.
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A spiritual revival centered on personal relationships with Jesus and grounded in God’s Word.
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Building a church that is Good News to our neighbors and the entire lakeshore community.
As we move forward, I want you to know that I will continue to serve through the end of the year, barring any extenuating circumstances. The Board of Trustees has established a Pastoral Succession Team that will be communicating and guiding the church through this transition, including the selection of an intentional interim pastor. We will announce town hall meetings soon, where we can gather together to discuss this process and share our thoughts and prayers.
For more information about the Pastoral Succession Plan, please visit our website at www.ccofdouglas.org/leadership or contact Jody Vogelzang, President, BOT and Chair of the Pastoral Succession Team.
Finally, thank you for your love, support, and partnership in ministry. It has been a true privilege to serve you as your pastor. We have all cultivated the presence of Jesus in our lives and “spurred each other on in faith and good works. Now, together, let us seek the Lord's guidance as we embrace the future He has for us.
In Christ’s love,
Dear Community Church of Douglas Family,
As the tulips bloom and the trees begin to leaf out, I am reminded that the change of seasons brings growth and new life. It is with a mix of emotions that I am announcing that I will be stepping down as Lead Pastor at the end of this year, 2025. We are now entering a season of transition and pastoral succession together, and this will be a significant moment in our journey as a church family.
Recently, the board asked if I would consider renewing my contract as Lead Pastor, which expires this July. After much prayer and discernment, Stacey and I have felt the Holy Spirit leading us to this decision. We have heard the Holy Spirit clearly saying, “You are released from your ministry assignment for Community Church, and it’s time to make room for a new season. You’ve re-established a firm foundation for the church; someone else will build on it.”
During this season of discernment, I encourage you to meditate on the words of Jeremiah 3:15-16:
“And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will guide you with knowledge and understanding.” “And when your land is once more filled with people,” says the Lord, “you will no longer wish for ‘the good old days’…
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These verses remind us of God's promise to provide shepherds who will serve us with love, wisdom, and grace. When these changes occur, it is all too easy to respond by planning, discussing, and influencing as if the next steps were up to us and not something that God has already laid out a pathway for. As we navigate this transition, I encourage all of us:
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Turn to the Lord first in prayer and listening: What is He saying to our church family before we begin searching for a new Lead Pastor?
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Trust that God has a future plan: He will protect and provide if we follow the Holy Spirit’s guidance and not our own thoughts, desires, and plans.
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Put others first: consider the needs of those who do not yet know Jesus and our wider community before our own desires.
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Do not stray: Stay true to the Vision Frame that God has given us.
