Dear Congregation,
The Staff-Parish Relations Committee (SPRC) would like to begin by expressing our heartfelt gratitude to Mac for his leadership over the past year. In a time marked by uncertainty, Mac brought a calming presence and a spirit of unity that greatly strengthened our congregation. His willingness to step into leadership and the love he has shown our Church family has not gone unnoticed. Mac, we love you and thank you sincerely, and we hope you will always consider Athens First Methodist your home.
Following the end of Kenny Baskin’s contract, the SPRC has been prayerfully and diligently working to identify our next Senior Pastor in accordance with our adopted bylaws. Over the past year, we have conducted interviews with five candidates for both interim and full- time roles, held discussions with search firms, and met with leaders from the Global Methodist Church to better understand what support would be available should we choose to affiliate with the GMC.
Given that Mac’s current contract concludes on August 15, and with our Church still discerning between affiliation and independence, the committee agreed it was time to move forward in our search.
After extensive prayer, thoughtful discussion, and many late-night meetings, the SPRC presented a recommendation to the Administrative Board to approve the hire of John Ryberg as Senior Pastor of Athens First Methodist Church. This recommendation was made contingent upon his formal disaffiliation from the United Methodist Church.
We are pleased to share that this recommendation was unanimously approved by the 48 voting members of the Administrative Board during the meeting held on June 3rd.
John’s first Sunday in the pulpit will be June 22nd, and we look forward to the next chapter in the life of our church under his leadership.
With gratitude and in service,
The Staff-Parish Relations Committee
Colby Medlen, SPRC Chair
Athens First Methodist Church
The Staff-Parish Relations Committee (SPRC) would like to begin by expressing our heartfelt gratitude to Mac for his leadership over the past year. In a time marked by uncertainty, Mac brought a calming presence and a spirit of unity that greatly strengthened our congregation. His willingness to step into leadership and the love he has shown our Church family has not gone unnoticed. Mac, we love you and thank you sincerely, and we hope you will always consider Athens First Methodist your home.
Following the end of Kenny Baskin’s contract, the SPRC has been prayerfully and diligently working to identify our next Senior Pastor in accordance with our adopted bylaws. Over the past year, we have conducted interviews with five candidates for both interim and full- time roles, held discussions with search firms, and met with leaders from the Global Methodist Church to better understand what support would be available should we choose to affiliate with the GMC.
Given that Mac’s current contract concludes on August 15, and with our Church still discerning between affiliation and independence, the committee agreed it was time to move forward in our search.
After extensive prayer, thoughtful discussion, and many late-night meetings, the SPRC presented a recommendation to the Administrative Board to approve the hire of John Ryberg as Senior Pastor of Athens First Methodist Church. This recommendation was made contingent upon his formal disaffiliation from the United Methodist Church.
We are pleased to share that this recommendation was unanimously approved by the 48 voting members of the Administrative Board during the meeting held on June 3rd.
John’s first Sunday in the pulpit will be June 22nd, and we look forward to the next chapter in the life of our church under his leadership.
With gratitude and in service,
The Staff-Parish Relations Committee
Colby Medlen, SPRC Chair
Athens First Methodist Church
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