Church Council Updates

Pastor Transition:  After much prayer and consideration, Pastor Scott has resigned as pastor of Butler Church and Common Ground. This announcement was shared on Sunday, March 23. Pastor Scott will continue to serve the church and help in the transition process for the next 3 months. Be assured that this change does not arise out of a conflict, problem, or agenda. The Church Council is overseeing the pastoral transition process.

 Next Steps

This pastoral transition is intertwined with our current vision process. The Vision Team has met with the Council and for review of the consultant's report. The Council is processing this with Butler leaders. (see Vision Updates)

The Council is meeting more frequently to process next steps, and is working together with the leadership of our Common Ground congregation. Common Ground has held a congregational meeting and the CG leadership team is at work. 

A search team has been formed to seek an Interim Pastor and is working with the Council. Information about the search process is below. 

Our Butler family is encouraged to continued prayer for the church and for the Holman family through this transition.

updated 6/5/25

from the Church Council

With heavy hearts, the Butler Council has received and accepted Pastor Scott Holman's resignation letter on Thursday, March 20th during our meeting. His resignation was announced formally to Common Ground on Sunday morning and to Butler Church, as a whole, on Sunday afternoon. 

While we did not anticipate his resignation, we are confident that God is at work in this decision and will guide both Butler through this next season of pastoral search/transition and Pastor Scott into his next season of his ministry.

We are overwhelmed with love and gratitude for Pastor Scott's years of service to Butler Church, and will be arranging a time to celebrate and honor his 18+ years of ministry at Butler in the months to follow - to provide our Butler family a chance to shower the Holman family with our love and blessing.

Please keep us in your prayers as we make plans and gather teams to begin the process of searching for our next Lead Pastor. We will keep our congregations up-to-date as we have more information. 

May God continue to guide and direct Butler Church as we walk these next steps together.

Faithfully, 
Your Butler Council

March 2025

"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10

Letter from Pastor Scott (English and Spanish)
Interim Pastor Search
Our Search Committee for our Interim Lead Pastor has formed! Our team consists of (at least) one representative from each of our four congregations in addition to two Council members.  Thank you for your prayers for this team. If you have questions about the process, or about the Interim Lead Pastor, contact your congregational representative or a Council member.
  • Juanita Aguilar (AyF)
  • Phanh Sivongsay (AG)
  • Melissa Ens (CG)
  • Steve Slattery (FC)
  • Kao Saelee (Council)
  • Connie Nicholson (Council)
  • Harold Ens (facilitator & non-voting member, CG)

Update: The search team has contacted possible candidates and met with a potential Interim Lead Pastor. A recommendation was presented to the Council on May 29, and the Council is following up with the candidate. 

Church Council 2025:
  • Matt Jacobs - Moderator
  • Roy Klassen - Vice Moderator
  • Kao Saelee - Treasurer
  • Shelly Coleman - Secretary
  • Scott Holman - Lead Pastor & Common Ground congregational pastor
  • Christina Lumeya - Common Ground rep
  • Connie Nicholson, Pastor, Faith Community congregation
  • Anne Guenther - Faith Community rep
  • Elbio Carballo - Pastor, Amor y Fe congregation
  • (TBA) Amor y Fe representative
  • Chansamone  Khoutsavanh - Asian Grace representative
  • Nixon Khoutsanah - pastoral representative, Asian Grace congregation

The Church Council generally meets on the 3rd Thursday of the month, but has been meeting more frequently during this transition. Their next meeting is scheduled for:

Thursday, June 19

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