A Major Change for OBJC

Dear OBJC Family,

For the past 12 years I have had the incredible honor of serving Jesus alongside all of you. In long conversations with Claire, and after much prayer, we have become confident that the time is right for a change, both for our family and for Oh Be Joyful. I have decided to leave my role as lead pastor of Oh Be Joyful on August 31 of this year. Please know that I have not come to this decision lightly. It has been a privilege and one of the greatest joys of my life to pastor you. 

I firmly believe a church is best situated for a leadership transition when it is healthy. By pretty much any measure, our church is in an incredibly healthy place. Our elders, staff, and volunteer leaders are united, dedicated, and gifted. Our finances are as strong as ever and our attendance continues to grow year over year. Not only that, we have more people involved in various areas of ministry here at the church than we have ever had in our history. What Oh Be Joyful needs now is someone who is motivated and vibrant to faithfully pick up where I’ll be leaving off and guide this church into its next chapter. 

Oh Be Joyful has never been about one person. It was never about Jim Kunes before me, has never been about me, and should not be about whoever will come in my place. This church exists for God the Father, Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It has been sustained through ups and downs not by the charisma of its leadership, but through the kindness and faithfulness of the Lord. And I have every reason to believe that will continue into the future.  

What’s next for us? Well, in the short term Claire and I plan to move to Arkansas to be closer to our kids and parents. We plan to keep our house here and I will serve in a coaching and support role for our new leader after I leave. Just as OBJC had a place in our lives before I took on the role of pastor here, it will continue to have a place in our lives after I leave. 

As we all look to the future and wonder what God might have in store for Oh Be Joyful, I want to leave you with the words of Paul from Philippians 1:3-5. 

Every time I think of you I thank God for you. 
I have joy in my heart everytime time I ask God to help you. 
I thank God for the joy we share in telling the good news from the very first day until now.

We have the privilege of sharing the good news with the world. It is a joy, and a great honor, to see lives transformed by the gospel. Oh Be Joyful, let that be our true north, let that be our guiding light. 

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. 

Grace and Peace,

A bit more information…

Click on the videos below to hear from Scott and Claire, as well as John Bever, to hear more about Scott’s decision to step down as Lead Pastor as well as next steps as we look to the coming nine months.

FAQs

About the Oh Be Joyful Lead Pastor Transition

What more can you tell me?

  • The Winns have cherished their chapter in the history of Oh Be Joyful Church. In 2022, they recognized that Scott’s time as Lead Pastor was nearing its conclusion, and that a new pastor would soon be needed to guide the church into its next season.

  • In the spring of 2024, Scott confirmed with the Elders his intention to step down on August 31, 2025. Since then, the Elders have been earnestly praying and planning regarding next steps. This Spring, a Search Committee will begin the process of finding our next leader in conjunction with a search firm.

  • For several months, the Elders have been working with a consultant experienced in facilitating successful Lead Pastor transitions. The staff and a Succession Team have been gathering to pray, plan for a smooth process, and develop a profile for the new leader.

  • The ideal time for a church leadership transition is when the church is healthy—as Oh Be Joyful is now. We have strong Elders and Trustees, a dedicated staff, a unified congregation, and robust programs. If there was ever a time we were ready to handle a transition, this is it.

How will we find our next senior pastor?

  • Ideally, we hope to have the new Lead Pastor in place by late summer of this year, allowing for some overlap with Scott. However, we trust God’s timing and understand there may be an interim period before the next pastor is appointed. As we move through the process we will continue to refine contingency plans in the case that our new lead pastor is not in place prior to Scott’s departure. Scott continues to develop a broader teaching team that could handle some of the teaching load. In addition, the staff will continue to execute the fiscal year ministry plans that will be in place in April.

  • When Scott was selected, a key factor was his firm commitment to the character and values of Oh Be Joyful Church, along with demonstrated church leadership fundamentals. At the same time, Scott brought new gifts and skills that were uniquely suited to lead OBJC during this season of growth and impact.  Similarly, the Elders are prayerfully crafting a profile for the next Lead Pastor, reflecting both the church’s established values and its anticipated needs. We are committed to staying open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, trusting that God raises up the right servant-leaders for each era to fulfill His purposes.

  • The Constitution and Bylaws of Oh Be Joyful Church requires the Elders to appoint a Search Committee tasked with identifying and recommending a candidate to the Elders. A candidate will be invited to assume the role upon unanimous recommendation by the Elders and a vote of the Covenant Partners of the church.

  • The Elders assembled the Search Committee based on the following criteria:

    • A deep love for Jesus and a strong commitment to the Christian mission

    • Knowledge of OBJC’s history, theology, mission, and congregation

    • Diversity in age, gender, and other characteristics

    • Covenant Partnership and demonstrated leadership within OBJC

  • Yes, individuals interested in the role of Lead Pastor are welcome to apply. While we currently do not have an internal candidate in mind, all applications will go through an initial evaluation by the search firm before being reviewed by the Search Committee.

  • Once a candidate has been identified, he will be invited to preach during worship services. Additionally, the congregation will receive an information packet and have opportunities to attend Q&A gatherings with the candidate.

What’s next for Scott and Claire?

  • Scott will continue to preach, lead our staff and Elders, and provide the leadership and pastoral care he has always offered. During this time, he will focus on strategically transitioning responsibilities and mentoring staff to ensure a smooth handoff. Once a successor is identified, Scott will assist in onboarding the new Lead Pastor, transferring vital information, and fostering continuity throughout the process.

  • You are welcome to write to them at scottewinn@gmail.com and clairetwinn@gmail.com. Additionally, there will be several opportunities to say goodbye before their departure. A team is planning a series of celebrations to honor Scott and Claire’s contributions to our church.

  • Scott and Claire plan to move to Arkansas to be closer to their children and parents. They will take a break from full-time ministry to rest and reflect, with the goal of pursuing a new venture. However, they intend to keep their home in Crested Butte and look forward to staying connected to the church.

  • Following August 31, 2025, Scott and Claire will take a period of absence from the church to give the new Lead Pastor the opportunity to establish strong relationships with the congregation and staff. After this time, they plan to join in worship whenever they are in Crested Butte. They will be fully committed to supporting and championing the new Lead Pastor during this transition.

  • Scott’s pastoral role within the congregation will change after August 31. While the new Lead Pastor may call upon Scott at special moments, we are encourage you to rely on our current staff for pastoral support, including counseling, references, and assistance with weddings, funerals, and other needs.

  • The Elders have invited Scott to serve as an ambassador during the first year of the transition, and he has agreed to do so. In this role, he will provide information, support, and introductions to help the new Lead Pastor integrate with the church and community. Any involvement beyond this period will be determined by the new Lead Pastor in collaboration with Scott and the Elders.

What can I do to help?

    • PRAY faithfully. Pray for Scott and Claire during this emotional time. Lift up the Search Committee and Elders as they seek God’s guidance in securing the next Lead Pastor for Oh Be Joyful Church. Pray for unity and a steadfast commitment to our mission within the congregation. A designated Prayer Team will be available during this season, and specific prayer requests will also be shared on the Lead Pastor Transition page.

    • GIVE generously. Continue to support Oh Be Joyful Church with your time, talents, and financial gifts. Your stewardship is essential to sustaining our ongoing ministry and providing a stable foundation for a successful transition.

    • LEAN forward hopefully. While no succession is without its challenges, we can move forward with hope. Regardless of how wise, talented, and faithful the next pastor may be, transitions require collective effort and grace. Be a positive advocate and encourager throughout this journey.

What about continuity?

  • While we have adjusted our ministry programs to match the evolving needs of our church and community over the past 48 years, there are some things about Oh Be Joyful Church that are essential to who we are. The Elders and staff have developed a set of core characteristics of our church which include:

    • Our Core Beliefs, Mission, Vision, and DNA

    • Authentic Community Engagement

    • Biblically Faithful Preaching and Teaching

    • A Welcoming and Authentic Environment

    • Commitment to Spiritual Growth and Discipleship

    Our next Lead Pastor will certainly bring us new dreams, fresh language, and different abilities.  This person will take us places we haven’t gone before. However, they also will be someone who resonates deeply with these values of Oh Be Joyful Church. 

  • Naturally, each staff member will process this transition in their own way, and your care and support for them are always appreciated. One reason we are confident the church will thrive during this upcoming period is the strength and dedication of our committed, capable team. The Elders do not anticipate that the arrival of a new Lead Pastor will require a “changing of the guard.” However, some staff turnover may occur naturally during this time.

Please be praying for:

churchwide unity | wisdom for the search committee | stability during the transition
that god would be preparing the heart of the new pastor and his family
faithfulness to god’s word and submission to his direction throughout the process