Senior Pastor Update

From Staff Parish Relations Committee

Sunday, September 9  

I am delighted to announce that Bishop Mike McKee has appointed Paul Gould, currently East Texas District Superintendent, as the new Senior Pastor of FirstChurch Plano effective October 1. Paul brings more than 30 years experience pastoring churches in the North Texas Conference to his new assignment. The SPRC met with Paul and his wife Julie last week and we are excited about the possibilities for growth and deeper discipleship they bring with their ministry to FirstChurch. Paul is scheduled to preach for the first time at FirstChurch on Sunday. October 7 and we encourage you to be here and bring your family and friends to welcome him! On behalf of the SPRC, I'd like to thank the entire FirstChurch family for your patience during this search and to assure you that we have, indeed, found the right person for the job. I'd also like to thank Senior Associate Pastor Alice Coder and the entire FirstChurch staff for their tireless efforts in keeping the church running so smoothly in the interim. 

- Dave Anderson, Chair, SPRC

Sunday, September 2 

The need to appoint a new Senior Pastor for FirstChurch is a high priority for Bishop Mike McKee, who assumed his duties as Episcopal leader of The North Texas Conference effective September 1 following the retirement of Bishop W. Earl Bledsoe. Bishop McKee is working with conference leadership to make this appointment in a timely fashion and in a way that is most beneficial for FirstChurch and for the conference. North Central District Superintendent Frank Alegria also continues to work hard on this important matter in close consultation with your SPRC. In the meantime, FirstChurch remains a strong, vibrant, healthy church under the leadership of Senior Associate Pastor Alice Coder and an amazingly gifted and talented ministry staff. Please keep Bishop McKee, Superintendent Alegria, Pastor Alice, our leadership, our staff and our church in your prayers. 

- Dave Anderson, Chair, SPRC

Sunday, August 19 

I am happy to report that the process of appointing a new Senior Pastor for FirstChurch continues to move forward. As reported on July 29, this appointment is made by the Bishop of The North Texas Conference, but only after serious consideration of the requirements and characteristics FirstChurch believes are critical for this position. Your FirstChurch SPRC has already supplied this information to the Bishop, who is now in the process of prayerfully seeking the best candidate for the needs of our church. We will keep you informed as developments warrant. 

- Dave Anderson, Chair, SPRC

Sunday, July 29

With Gary Mueller’s election July 19 as bishop, the process of finding a new senior pastor for FirstChurch is already underway. Per The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church*, the Bishop of The North Texas Conference is responsible for this appointment. Before making a decision, the Bishop consults with the District Superintendent to prayerfully seek the best pastor for the needs of FirstChurch. This process also calls for the District Superintendent to obtain the requirements and characteristics FirstChurch believes are critical for this position. Your SPRC, made up of elected representatives from a cross-section of the congregation, has already met with and communicated this information to the District Superintendent. We will be certain to keep you apprised of further developments.

- Dave Anderson, Chair, SPRC

* For more information on the formal process of appointing clergy, see Chapter Three, The Superintendency, Section VIII: Appointment-Making, beginning on Page 318 of The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church.