Lead Pastor Announcement
After a 96.5% affirmative vote by members at the June 11 Congregational Meeting , we are excited to announce that Chad Harms has accepted the call to become the next Lead Pastor of Pathway Church! Chad comes to us from Creekside Bible Church in Wilsonville, OR, having served there in a variety of roles for 18 years. With a B.A. degree in pastoral studies from Corban University, Chad also earned a Master of Divinity degree from Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Brynn, have two children, Hazel (7) and Hudson (5).
Let’s be praying for the Harms family and Pathway Church as we look forward to their first Sunday with us, July 16!
Pathway Church started the process of looking for a new lead pastor in June of 2022. After serving Pathway for 25 years, Lance Logue was called to be the lead pastor at Highland Baptist Church in Redmond, OR. Pathway is very grateful for Lance and the excellent leadership he provided.
We believe God has an exciting future for Pathway and the best days lie ahead. The search committee is committed to finding God’s man who can lead the church forward toward this future.
Updates
- June 6, 2022 – A pastor search committee was appointed by the Shepherds.
- June 15 – Committee met for the first time to seek God’s direction and establish a search process.
- June 27 – Committee met to discuss candidates and consider resumes.
- July 13 – Committee met to discuss candidates and consider resumes.
- August 18 – Committee met to discuss candidates and consider resumes.
- August 31 – Committee met to discuss candidates and consider resumes.
- September 13 – Committee met to discuss candidates and consider resumes.
- September 19 – The Shepherds approved the hiring of the Vanderbloemen Search Group to assist Pathway in identifying the person that God has prepared to be our next lead pastor. Vanderbloemen is one of the top search firms in the country. They do not replace our established pastoral search committee, but will work to present the committee with qualified candidates to whom we might not otherwise have had access.
- September 27 – Committee met to discuss candidates and consider resumes.
- October 15-17 – Vanderbloemen Search Group representatives visited the Gresham and Sandy campuses to get a first-hand look at Pathway Church. They met with the Shepherds, search committee, and staff to create a pastor profile which will be used to match candidates with the open Lead Pastor position.
- November 6 – Search committee update was presented and discussed at the annual Family Forum.
- November 9 – Committee met to pray and work on the search.
- November 29 – Lead pastor opportunity posted HERE with Vanderbloemen Search Group.
- January 3, 2023 – Committee met to pray and work on the search.
- January 26 – Committee met to pray and work on the search.
- January 30 – Committee met to pray and work on the search.
- January 31 – Committee met to pray and work on the search.
- February 1 – Committee met to pray and work on the search.
- February 9 – Committee met to pray and work on the search.
- March 5 – Committee met to pray and work on the search.
- April 2 – Met with Vanderbloemen; they presented three candidates for consideration.
- April 10 – Interviewed the three candidates Vanderbloemen presented.
- April 17 – In-person second interview with Chad Harms.
- May – Various communications with Chad, discussing details.
- May 28 – Committee announces recommendation of Chad Harms as lead pastor of Pathway Church.
- June 11 – Chad preached at both campuses. There was a 96.5% affirmative vote by members at the Congregational Meeting and Chad has accepted the call to become the next Lead Pastor of Pathway Church.
Frequently Asked Questions
A speaking team has been developed including Jason Spurlin and others. Lance Caddel will serve as interim preacher on July 31 and will continue until a new lead pastor begins. Paul Hartman was appointed by the Shepherds as the Staff Liaison and will oversee the daily work of the church.
The Shepherds appointed the pastor search team as directed by the church bylaws. The team members are: Joe Flegal (Chairperson), Sheila Allen, Bob Bowker (Shepherd), Linzee Hamilton, Jeremy Logue, and Jose Ramirez. Jo-Anne Mackey serves as secretary.
It is impossible to predict how long it will take to find God’s man as the next lead pastor. However, the search committee is doing all it can to find this person as quickly as possible.
Progress reports will be put on Pathway’s website, sent through email, and given during weekend services.
Interested candidates can apply with Vanderbloemen Search Group HERE or contact Joe Flegal at info@pathwaychurch.net or 503.816.5532.
- A search committee is appointed by the Shepherds.
- Committee meets and reviews candidates until they have a recommendation.
- The church is informed of the recommendation.
- Opportunities are provided for congregation to meet and talk with candidate.
- Candidate preaches in weekend services.
- Church members will be given an opportunity to vote by secret ballot on the candidate. The bylaws require an 85% affirmative vote to call the new lead pastor.
Only current registered members of the church can vote. To verify if you are a member of Pathway, contact Jo-Anne Mackey at joanne@pathwaychurch.net or call the church office at 503.667.1515.
Any who desire to apply may do so and will be considered along with all other candidates.
Contact Joe Flegal at info@pathwaychurch.net.