The search team is working hard, but it has come to our attention that we haven't communicated as often as we should have.  We apologize!  We are all new to this and appreciate your grace and trust.  Our plan is to use the newsletter to keep you updated on the process rather than simply trying to find times when one of us can speak on a Sunday morning. 
 
We opened the job position in May and have received a surprising number of qualified applicants.  It has been incredibly encouraging (and a little overwhelming) how many wonderful candidates are excited about what we are doing and want to participate.  We received so many applications that we stopped accepting them in the middle of July.  This summer we went through lots of first-round interviews and chose 6 candidates to move on to the second round of interviews.  We have completed 4 of the second-round interviews already. The current plan is to have a decision on who to move to the third and final round of interviews by the end of August. 
 
We appreciate your trust and patience and ask for your prayers during this time of discernment as we continue making more and more difficult decisions.  Please pray not only for our wisdom and discernment but also for the candidates who are seeking God's leading in what is next in their lives.  We hope this update is as encouraging to you as this process has been for us!