The Transition
Psalm 85:15 says, “But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.”
Worthington Christian Church has been richly blessed by God’s grace, love, and faithfulness for over 40 years. One of the many ways God has blessed our church is with strong and faithful Senior Ministers.
In January 2010, David Roberson became the fourth Senior Minister at Worthington Christian Church. David has shown uncommon maturity and humility in leading our church, helping us grow in our faith and further our mission to make and develop followers of Christ. We are so grateful for David’s leadership and his love for Worthington Christian Church.
A little over a year ago, David came to the elders to talk about when God might lead him to retire from local church ministry. God led us on a journey together to discover the right time for that to take place, and we have decided on June 2019. This date is significant because it will represent 41 years of service to the local church for David and his wife, Monica.
Frequently Asked Questions
David approached the Elders last year, 2017, and said that he and Monica were talking about how and when they should retire from leadership at Worthington. He said that he thought it was time to develop a transition plan. So the elders set up a Transition Team to help with this planning.
David began his ministry with us on January 1, 2010. Upon his retirement he will have served with us for 9½ years.
Jay Scott has been a minister with Worthington Christian Church since March 2006. Originally hired as a Youth Minister, he served in that role until he became our Outreach Minister in 2013.
Throughout his time here at WCC, he has been a regular preaching minister and you can listen to his past sermons on our Watch & Listen page.
Yes and no. A new Senior Minister will naturally bring about some change, but given the unique and blessed opportunity that we have as a church, our vision to help make and develop followers of Jesus Christ will always derive from the Great Commission:
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18-20
Modes and methods are simply a way to share Jesus to those who don’t know Him yet and encourage those who do. Although they change to accomplish the vision we know that Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever!
February 20, 2018: Elders, Bob McCollins, Keith Fields and Gregg Morris, along with David Roberson and Jay Scott, met with the ministerial staff and told them about David’s planned retirement in June of 2019.
Keith Fields shared that the elders are recommending that Jay Scott replace David as Senior Minister on April 7, 2019.
February 28, 2018: Bob McCollins, Gregg Morris, and David and Jay met with the entire staff and shared David’s plans for retirement and the elder’s decision to call Jay to become our next Senior Minister.
March 1, 2018: The Transition Team met with the church board and shared David’s plans for retirement and that Jay is being recommended by our elders to be our next Senior Minister. David and Jay shared their hopes and dreams for the future.
Worthington Christian Church’s constitution and bylaws require that the church board confirm the recommendation of the elders for a person to become Senior Minister of the church. Chris Shewan, chairman of the board, called for a confirmation vote. The board unanimously voted to confirm Jay Scott as our next Senior Minister.
March 4, 2018: The entire Transition Team, along with David and Jay, shared with the congregation in all three services the plans for David’s retirement and the elders’ recommendation that Jay Scott become our next Senior Minister.
March 18, 2018: The congregation approved Jay Scott to become our next Senior Minister by a 98% vote.
April 7, 2019: Jay Scott will become the fifth Senior Minister in the history of Worthington Christian Church.
June 30, 2019: David retires from Worthington Christian Church after serving 41 years in local church leadership.
They aren’t sure. They both want to continue to be involved in ministry so they are asking God to guide them as to what He would have them do. Their daughter Cara, and her husband, Mitch, and their two boys, Jacob and Ethan, live in Indianapolis so it is possible that they will be relocating to be closer to their grandsons.
