We’ve had well over 100 questions for the search committee and for Joshua Clough, our candidate for Senior Pastor, on topics ranging from the selection process, to Joshua’s background and experience, to his sports team preference. We’ve done our best to capture the range of questions in this FAQ, which we’ve broken down into three categories: questions about the selection process; questions about the transition to Grace Chapel; and questions on ministry, teaching, and leadership.
This document is not intended to provide answers to all questions – though we have answered some of them. To some of these themes and questions Joshua provided answers in his sermon and Q&A session on March 3.
Selection Process Questions
Was this the same process used in hiring Pastor Bryan?
The bylaws of Grace Chapel provide details of the process to be used in the selection of a new Senior Pastor. The exact same process was used in finding Pastor Bryan. They call for the search committee and then the Elders to bring forward one recommended candidate for consideration to the members of the congregation. The bylaws considered that our finalists would be serving congregations at their churches and it would be difficult to bring forward someone publicly that wasn't our clear finalist.
Would it be possible for members to see the interview questions asked?
The search committee spent many hours with Joshua and covered many topics including those that he brought forward to discuss. In the recorded webinar from Feb 25th we provided the categories covered in each step of the process so that you understand where the team focused and found alignment.
Were any of the final slate of candidates women?
We had an eventual group of 20 candidates that included women and had additional diversity in their age, race, and church backgrounds.
Why was pastor Bryan not included in the search committee?
The search committee members were recommended by the congregation and appointed by the Board of Elders and did not include Bryan. But he supported that team as needed and was able to spend time with our finalist to answer questions and seek alignment with Grace Chapel.
What will members be voting for? (I am a new member so not familiar)
The Elders, with a recommendation from the search committee, have brought forward Joshua Clough as our finalist candidate for our Senior Pastor role. Our form of governance calls for our active members to now vote to approve his call to this position.
What is the number of votes needed to pass the motion that Joshua becomes our senior pastor?
For major motions the bylaws call for 25% quorum of active members with a 2/3 affirmative vote for confirmation.
If the congregation does not approve this recommendation, what is the next step?
The search committee would reconvene to begin the process again to find a candidate.
Transition Questions
How are we ensuring we answer all of Claire's questions, and supporting her? As Bryan has said, behind every successful pastor is a pastor's wife.
Claire has been a part of this process and journey from the very beginning. Joshua wisely brought her into the conversation about this opportunity to help make a joint decision for their family. Claire joined him on trips to Boston and spent time with the search committee and Board of Elders. Claire works as a Pastor in the role of Care Central Lead Director at their church and will be exploring new opportunities in her career in this transition. Claire is excited about this next big adventure for their family. We will need to come alongside her as a church family to help her get connected, help her discover New England, and in many other ways.
Joshua comes from the Midwest, as we know New England is a pretty harsh environment spiritually, economically, and even with sports. How is Grace Chapel ensuring we are warm, welcoming, and setting up Joshua to be successful in New England?
Joshua is originally from the Seattle area, which in many ways resembles our New England environment with regard to church, faith, and religion. He’s lived on the east coast for school and in several states around the country, and that helps give him a broad perspective. We are still uniquely New England, and he embraces that and understands how it will impact his leadership here.
Will Pastor Bryan continue to serve as a member at Grace after his retirement?
Bryan and Karen plan to stay in the area and continue to worship and support Grace Chapel. He has been named a Pastor Emeritus by the Board of Elders and will be available to support Grace Chapel and our new Senior Pastor as needed in the years to come.
When is the expected start date - if we do call Joshua?
We anticipate a midsummer start date, but there are many factors involved with a relocation.
What does Joshua think of Bryan's view of the Yankees vs. Red Sox?
We’re as excited as you are to hear the answer to this one on Sunday!
Ministry, Teaching, and Leadership Questions
I’d like to hear more about Pastor Joshua's approach to discipleship in a large church community (small groups, traditional Sunday School, etc.).
Joshua shared about this in his Q&A session on Sunday, March 3.
How does Joshua handle the complex questions such as women, baptism, etc.
Joshua fully understands Grace Chapel’s position on these issues and shared about this in his Q&A session on Sunday, March 3.
A major split has been going on in the UMC over LGBQT issues. Where does Joshua stand on these issues?
The search committee and the Board of Elders spent time with Joshua in discussions related to LGBTQ+ issues and his alignment with Grace Chapel. The sermon from Pastor Bryan related to this topic on October 15, 2023 entitled "The Beginning of Sexuality, Marriage, and Friendship” was used to guide conversations with our finalists, including Joshua Clough.
Joshua is aligned with Grace Chapel’s perspective on these questions, holding to a historic view of Christian marriage, while offering radical welcome to the LGBTQ seekers and believers.
I’m curious about Pastor Joshua’s Methodist background and the impact it may have on a non-denominational church. After serving in the UMC for so long with a very layered/hierarchical leadership structure, did the topic come up about making the change to a congregational, non-denominational form of church governance?
Joshua's experience and growth in serving a few different churches, including in the United Methodist Church has prepared him well for this next step. Joshua grew up in a non-denominational church in Seattle, and those formative faith years, combined with his extensive education and UMC experience, prepare him well for the opportunity to lead our church.
We’d like to hear more about Joshua’s view of the local church’s role in worldwide missions.
We enjoyed hearing about Joshua’s passion for missions throughout the interview process. Joshua shared about this in his Q&A session on Sunday, March 3.
I've watched a few of Joshua's sermons (they’re great), but his style is different from Pastor Bryan’s. Can Joshua be encouraged that Grace Chapel sermons are a safe place to share personal stories too?
Thank you for that encouragement! The Search Committee did see that side of Joshua in this process. We’re confident Joshua will find Grace Chapel the kind of place he can share more and more of himself.
Has Joshua had any experience with recovery ministries as part of the local church's mission?
Yes, including with his current church which has opportunities for people to request prayer, receive counseling, join support groups and their recovery ministry.
Can we hear from Joshua about specific goals he’ll try to achieve in his first 1-3 years, and a little about his Vision for Grace Chapel over the next decade?
Joshua has a passion for growth and reaching people and will be building on the many years of Grace Chapel serving our community in unique ways. Joshua shared about this in his Q&A session on Sunday, March 3.
What was his time again for the Chicago marathon? Can church members go for a run with him to see how fast he is?
Joshua is an elite marathoner and we’ll let him answer any questions about his times or running partners.
Questions Answered by Pastor Joshua Clough
One of grace chapels strengths is being welcoming. How do you envision this quality of Grace Chapel to continue/change? Likewise, how are you going to challenge those who continue attending to grow in their faith, specifically speaking to challenging topics like sin?
Welcoming people is an important component of Christian faith. I love how the author of Hebrews puts it, “Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it” (Hebrews 13:1-2). I envision that all people wherever they are in their spiritual journey will be challenged, encouraged, and inspired by the hope, truth, and love of Jesus. In this, I hope we all find repentance, redemption, community, and mission. I will also be leaning into this strength at Grace Chapel through teaching and preaching, training, and ministry, and working closely with the amazing staff team.
Every one of us falls short of the glory of God. We all sin. I speak to the topic of sin from a pastoral perspective with the intention to show the pathway to repentance and acceptance of God’s grace.
Welcome, Pastor Joshua! Grace Chapel is blessed with talented and passionate pastors and staff. How will you help lead this team as we all move forward?
I am impressed with the amazing pastoral and staff team at Grace Chapel. I believe, like the Apostle Paul, “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work” (1 Corinthians 12:4-6). I look forward to collaborating with the staff as we build upon the 75-year history of the church and dream about the future God has for us.
The Church is in a difficult period, culturally. So many people feel alienated and harmed and deeply wounded by the Church. The terms "exvangelical" and de-churched exists and seems to capture some of that pain. How do you see the Church potentially healing the wounds these people feel? How can the Church be the source of love and healing that we aspire to be?
People are leaving the church in staggering numbers. Whether it’s due to the “exvangelical” movement, the real hurt and pain experienced by some, or just the busyness of life that distracts us, we must address the reality. Sometimes the critics of the Church are right to point out our flaws. It’s important to genuinely listen. It’s important to live with humility. When we do, the Church has much to offer in the way of healing. Jesus passionately loves the church and sends us, his followers, to reach into our neighborhoods with compassion, grace, hope-filled expectation. My sense is the church of the future will look less judgmental and more loving.
Can share your experience with pastoring an international congregation and overseas missions?
In my ministry, I have pastored diverse congregations first in Hawaii, then Southern California, and today I lead a church in Kansas City that welcomes people from across the globe. The church I currently serve partners with missionaries and people in many countries. Our approach is to invest deeply with local leaders as partners in the kingdom of God. Personally, I love serving with our international serve teams and I have traveled with teams to Central American, Haiti, and India.
Please tell us about your vision for leading a politically diverse church through an election year in 2024, and beyond.
One of the gifts of Grace Chapel is its political diversity. I believe that this is a strength. Increasingly, political polarization has produced echo chambers. First, I look to Jesus’ life and ministry. He spoke to people deeply divided on issues and invited them into a third way – to follow him. Second, I believe it’s important to engage challenging and sometimes controversial topics with humility, curiosity, and an openness to multiple arguments. I believe that thinking, reasonable people can disagree on a host of topics. Therefore, I don’t ask that everyone agree with me as the Senior Pastor, or each other. Instead, I invite people to think deeply about their faith, consider diverse perspectives, and walk in the way of Christ.
Question 1 “I think we can assume that we all agree that the Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in our spiritual lives and in the life of the church. In your vision for our church, do you plan to create space and time during our services for the congregation to experience and respond to the movement of the Holy Spirit?" Question 2 "At Grace Chapel we currently have a separate prayer chapel where congregation members are encouraged to go for prayer. An alternative approach I've seen is inviting congregation members to come forward during services to receive prayer from members of a prayer team. Have you had experience with this practice in your previous ministry roles, and do you think there is a place for this approach in our church to encourage more active participation in prayer?"
The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in our spiritual lives and the life of the church. The Holy Spirit is involved in our planning and preparation from Sunday to Sunday, in each ministry and program, and in our fellowship. The Holy Spirit also moves unexpectedly, inviting us to follow the prompting of the Holy Spirit. I seek to follow the spirits leading and guiding in our preparation, through moments of pause, and even through spontaneity.
I have experience with both options for prayer. The church I serve provides a physical space for people to pray and receive prayer as well as the opportunity to invite people to receive prayer. My approach will be to work with our staff team to provide multiple opportunities to pray, receive prayer, and encounter Christ. Pastorally, I love opportunities I get to pray with people, often in the lobby between services.
What has been your experience in church budgeting and evaluating the impact and stewardship of what is given?
Pastorally, I am responsible for a significant sized budget at the church I serve and take an active role in providing the vision and direction of the finances year to year. My role is to partner with our Chief Financial Officer. I also rely on finance teams and lead volunteers who ensure the church remains accountable and transparent related to financial matters. Each year, the church I serve engages in an annual ministry fund stewardship campaign to think faithfully about financial matters. This impacts our personal lives and faith as well as the organizational life of the church in planning and preparing for a vibrant year of ministry. Further, I have been part of and led successful capital campaigns focused on the vision of the church for the years ahead.
As a white male pastor, how do you intend to 1) hold yourself accountable to checking your own inherent bias and privilege 2) intentionally create space for those who are historically marginalized along racial and gender lines and 3) hold others accountable both in your congregation and within church leadership to creating this space?
I will be the first to tell you that I am imperfect. I will make mistakes. I will also seek to confess and repent of those mistakes. As a white, male pastor it’s important for me to take ownership of my own learnings related to biases, privilege, and systems of inequality. My learning journey began during my undergraduate studies when I studied Sociology. There, I began to understand better the diversity of experiences and voices. I was grateful to be challenged then as a white male. Today, I challenge myself to be open to constructive feedback. It’s also important to create space for those who are historically marginalized along racial and gender lines. I love how Grace Chapel utilizes a preaching team that draws on the diversity of the congregation and staff. As the Senior Pastor, it’s also my responsibility to reflect and act upon how we create space and ensure accountability within the church’s systems and structures as well as daily interactions as a congregation.