When do these changes take effect?

Pastor Lori's last Sunday at Church is anticipated to be June 30th, and the next Lead Pastor will take over on July 1st.

How does the appointment process work in the United Methodist Church? Will we choose our next pastor?

  • In the United Methodist Church, bishops have the responsibility of making all pastoral appointments. We are in the Missouri Conference of the United Methodist Church, which is served by Bishop Robert Farr.
  • Bishop Farr appoints all clergy in June, and these appointments are made official at the Annual Conference, which meets the second week in June.
  • The Bishop and his cabinet look at appointment needs throughout the state, taking into consideration the needs of each church and the gifts and talents of each pastor.
  • The Board of The Downtown Church is in consultation with our District Superintendent, Mary Rodgers-Weaver, about the appointment process, and have communicated the desires of our church, but their role is only advisory. Our District Superintendent reports the advice of the Board to the Bishop and Cabinet.

When will we know who the next Lead Pastor will be?

We don’t know yet, but will announce who the new pastor is as soon as the appointment is made public.

How will this change impact the tenure of our church staff?

Brian, Carla, Cody, Keith, and other staff will all stay in their current positions. Our church lay staff is hired internally, and those hiring decisions are not directed by the Conference. Brian, as an Associate Pastor, is also appointed by the bishop, but no change is anticipated in his position.

How will this change impact the mission & vision of The Downtown Church?

Our mission and vision will not change—we’re still meeting in the middle, loving God, and loving neighbor. Pastor Lori has led The Downtown Church and been instrumental in establishing our vision and culture, but carrying out that vision forward and maintaining our culture are our responsibilities together as a congregation.

How will Pastor Lori interact with the next pastor, both during the transition and after?

Pastor Lori will have many opportunities to talk with and mentor our next pastor. We expect to have ongoing discussions over the next few months between our staff and the next pastor.

Will Pastor Lori still have a relationship with our congregation?

The Conference’s policy is that all lead pastors step away for at least a year to provide a new pastor time to build relationships and trust. Lori encourages us to remain committed to the vision and culture of The Downtown Church, regardless of who the pastor may be.

What can I do to make this transition easier?

We ask that you keep an open heart and mind through this process. Ever since we began, our strength has been in the people, not only our leaders. It is an anxious but hopeful time for everyone. Remember, this is a learning process for both our church and the pastor, and there will likely be a few challenges along the way. Change can be difficult, but this time is also a chance to revitalize, refocus, and recommit to the vision and life of The Downtown Church. If you are involved in church ministries or activities, please continue.

The most important thing we can do is pray. Pray for the people of our church, for Pastor Lori, for the Bishop and Cabinet, and for our staff and other leaders. Pray that God will lead us through this transition. Reaffirm to yourself and others that this is God’s church. As in everything, we can expect great things from our gracious God.

I have other questions. Who should I ask?

Linda Chorice, our current Board Chair (board@thedowntown.church), and Lori (lori@thedowntown.church) are happy to answer questions you may have. Our other Board members are David Beach, Heather Blair, Ron Carrier, Bruce Cobb, Callie Gibson, Seth Lancaster, Hailey Magnus, Wade Shelton, Camille Springer, and Ethan Sykes.