Josh Landen to Serve as Interim Senior Pastor
Christ Methodist Church is pleased to announce that Rev. Josh Landen, currently serving as Executive Pastor, will serve as Interim Senior Pastor as current Senior Pastor Rev. Paul Lawler transitions to his new role as a Bishop in the Global Methodist Church.
Josh will serve in this role until Christ Methodist welcomes its next Senior Pastor.
During this season, Josh will provide leadership and continuity for the church, working alongside our pastors, staff, and lay leadership to oversee the day-to-day ministry of Christ Methodist. He will help guide our staff and congregation through this transition while keeping our focus firmly on our mission to glorify God and make disciples of Jesus Christ among all peoples.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to lead the congregation during this time of transition. We have both a strong staff and a dedicated congregation, and most of all we have a faithful God. Please pray for the church, its ministry leaders and staff, and its pastoral search team as we continue to execute our mission."
Josh has served Christ Methodist faithfully as Executive Pastor, giving him a deep familiarity with the church, its ministries, staff, and congregation. His leadership during this interim period will provide vital continuity as the church continues its ministry while prayerfully seeking its next Senior Pastor.
Robert Wilson, Chair of Staff Parish Relations Committee, shares the following:
“We are so thankful to the Lord that He brought Josh to us and has him well-prepared to lead us through this transition season. We knew we were getting a great pastor and leader when we brought Josh on board and Pastor Paul quickly surmised Josh’s outstanding administrative and executive capabilities as well.
“Since being promoted to Executive Pastor, Josh has served with excellence showing great judgment and execution while carrying a heavy load. For all of us serving in leadership, it has been easy to see why Paul recommended him as Interim Senior Pastor and he is our clear choice as well.
“Please join us in thanking Josh for accepting this responsibility and supporting him through your prayers, encouragement, and full support.”
Worship During the Interim
Throughout this interim season, our congregation will continue to hear from a dynamic team of gifted teaching pastors who will shepherd us through this season. More details about our teaching team and what to expect across our worship services will be shared in the coming weeks.
Senior Pastor Search Update
The search for Christ Methodist Church’s next Senior Pastor continues to move forward. The Search Team began by researching and reviewing more than 130 potential candidates, providing a broad foundation for the search process.
Through prayer, discernment, and careful consideration, the pool of potential candidates continues to evolve. New candidates are still being identified and evaluated, others have been removed from consideration, and initial conversations have begun with a select few. This remains a fluid, multi-layered process, with much work and discernment still ahead.
Rev. Paul Lawler expressed great confidence in the caliber of those being considered:
“I don’t say this out of false humility: the people being considered are of an exceptionally high caliber. I truly believe the Christ Methodist congregation is in for a pastoral upgrade.”
While there is no predetermined timeline for completing the search, we remain prayerful and patient, trusting God to provide the right person at the right time for Christ Methodist Church.
We ask the congregation to continue praying for our pastors, staff, and lay leadership as they lead Christ Methodist through this season of transition; for our Senior Pastor Search Team as they seek wisdom and discernment throughout the process; and for the person God is preparing to lead Christ Methodist into its next season.