A Note from our Elders
On Sunday, May 17, Patrick announced to the congregation that he has resigned from Oaks Church Brooklyn. Patrick joined our team as the Discipleship Pastor in August of 2020. He then stepped into the Lead Pastor position in July of 2021, taking on the large task of guiding our grieving church through the after affects of COVID. His pastoral heart has loved and cared for this community over these six years.
Please read on to find out the ways that you can celebrate the Boatwrights, find out more information about our next steps as a church, and process this news together as a community.
FAQs
When did Patrick step down as Lead Pastor of Oaks Church?
His final Sunday was May 31.
Why did Patrick leave?
Patrick has been discerning that his time at Oaks was reaching its last chapter. As he and the elders navigated this process, disagreements and broken trust that made it difficult to discern a shared vision for how to move forward as a leadership body. There are no moral or ethical concerns involved, and we are grateful for the years Patrick served in this role.
What does this mean for our church?
We will continue to be Oaks Church Brooklyn. Our staff and elders are remaining the same, and our core values and beliefs are staying the same. We will be working with a consultant to assess our overall systems and structure, and will be in conversation with our Rooted Community members to ensure the health and care of this community.
In this period of time when we don’t have a Lead Pastor, who will lead the church?
The church will continue to be led by the staff and elders.
Who will make the final decision about who the next Lead Pastor will be?
Per our Constitution, screening, interviewing and hiring candidates for the role of Senior Pastor is one of the responsibilities of the Elder Board. The current Elder Board (Liz Lee Kearney, Tina Khaitani, Rosey Odidi, and Alessandra Thomas) will make the final decision about the next Lead Pastor based on what they believe is God’s leading and what is in the best interest of our community.
What will the role of the congregation be in the search for a new Lead Pastor?
A Pastor Profile will be created with the input of our elders, staff, Rooted Community, congregants and our consultant. A church-wide survey will also be sent out soon to gather the input of all congregants.
What is the timeline for interviewing candidates?
The opening will go live June 1. Interviews will begin as soon as we have a completed Pastor Profile, and will continue until we believe we have found the right person to become our next Lead Pastor.
Next steps
Over the next several weeks, the staff and elders will be providing many ways to offer meetings with our Rooted Community and the congregation as a whole. As we have dates for these gatherings, we will update this site.
We also invite you to join us in daily midday prayer. Wherever we are in the world, stop what we are doing at 12 p.m. to take a few moments to pray for Oaks Church. Please pray for:
Wisdom and discernment for our church leaders
A humbling posture of surrender to what God wants to do in and through us this season
For the pastor that God has already selected for Oaks Church - a blessing and a stirring in that person's heart
For our congregation to continue to be people of prayer, and to be open to receive all that God has for us
Setting a daily reminder on your phone or calendar is an easy way to include these prayers into your daily rhythms.
If you have questions, wish to have a 1:1 with an elder or need further support during this time, we want to make sure we meet with you. Please click below.