While we have adjusted our ministry programs to match the evolving needs of our church and community over the past 166 years, there are some core characteristics of AMBC which include:

• Our Core Beliefs, Mission, Vision, and DNA
• Biblically Faithful Preaching and Teaching
• Authentic Community Engagement
• A Commitment to Reaching the Lost
• Commitment to Spiritual Growth and Discipleship
• A Welcoming and Authentic Environment.

PRAY faithfully.  

• Pray for Bill and Deborah during this emotional time.
• Pray for the search team as they seek God’s guidance in securing the next Senior Pastor for Allen Memorial Baptist Church.
• Pray for unity and steadfast commitment to our mission within the congregation.
• Join us during PRAYSE every Wednesday as we lift up the transition each week.
• Specific Prayer requests will be shared on the Transition page on our website.

GIVE generously

• Continue to support AMBC 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.

Bill will provide information, support, and introductions to help the new Senior Pastor integrate with the church and community during the transition. The new Senior Pastor will determine any involvement beyond this period in collaboration with Bill and the Leadership Team.

Bill’s pastoral role within the congregation will change once a new Senior Pastor arrives. While the new Senior Pastor may call upon Bill at special moments, we encourage you to rely on the new Senior Pastor and our current staff for pastoral support, including counseling, references, and assistance with weddings, funerals, and other needs.

Once the new Senior Pastor is at AMBC, Bill will take a 12-month period of absence from the church to allow the new Senior Pastor to establish strong relationships with the congregation and staff. After this time, he plans to continue to worship at AMBC. He will be fully committed to supporting and championing the new Senior Pastor during the transition. Deborah plans to continue worshiping and serving at AMBC even while Bill is on his sabbatical.

• Bill will take a 12-month sabbatical in which he will not be at AMBC in order to allow the new Senior Pastor to integrate into the role fully.
• Bill will be taking time to rest from full-time ministry.
• Bill will be considering possible new ventures in ministry.

You are welcome to write to them at wwarren@allenmemorial.org and dgwarren1979@gmail.com

Additionally, there will be several opportunities to say goodbye before their departure.  A team will be formed to plan a retirement celebration honoring Bill and Deborah’s contributions to our church over the past 40 years.

Bill will continue to preach, lead our leadership team (staff and deacons), and provide the leadership and pastoral care he has always offered.  Once a successor is identified, Bill will assist in onboarding the new Senior Pastor, transferring vital information, and fostering continuity throughout the process.

While we have adjusted our ministry programs to match the evolving needs of our church and community over the past 166 years, there are some core characteristics of AMBC which include:

1. 1. 1. 1. Our Core Beliefs, Mission, Vision, and DNA
         2. Biblically Faithful Preaching and Teaching
         3. Authentic Community Engagement
         4. A Commitment to Reaching the Lost
         5. Commitment to Spiritual Growth and Discipleship
         6. A Welcoming and Authentic Environment.

The Leadership Team, Personnel Team, and Finance Team assembled the search team based on the following criteria:

• A deep love for Jesus and a strong commitment to the Christian mission
• Knowledge of AMBC’s history, theology, mission, and congregation
• Diversity in age, gender, and other characteristics
• Member and demonstrated leadership within AMBC.

The Leadership Team, Personnel Team, and Finance Team considered over 30 names. The staff then narrowed that list down to the recommended team.

• • Laura Becker
  • Janice Davis
  • Fischer Evans
  • Bruce Glisson
  • Timothy Hurst
  • David Jayne
  • Elliot Moore
  • Dawn Timmons
  • Joe Tolbert
  • Jay Waddell

Chemistry staffing will conduct a worldwide search using the profile created by our Leadership Team as a template. Chemistry staffing will look for people using the five essentials of a healthy, long-term church staff fit:

1. Theology- does this person believe the same as us on both core and secondary issues?
2. Culture/DNA- Will this person be a good fit for our community, church, and culture?
3. Personality- Does this person play well with others? Are they likeable?
4. Skills- Does this person have the talents and abilities we need to do a good job?
5. Chemistry- Will this person fit on our team? Do we want to do life AND ministry together?

Chemistry Staffing will then do three interviews (each one done by pastors they have trained) Once Chemistry has identified candidates who would match with AMBC, they will submit those names to the AMBC search team. The AMBC search team will then conduct interviews, verify references, and conduct background checks.

Once the AMBC search team has identified the candidate they believe to be the next Senior Pastor of AMBC, they will bring the candidate to AMBC for a weekend to meet with the congregation and preach on a Sunday.  Following the weekend, the candidate would be presented to the members of AMBC for a vote on whether to call him as the next Senior Pastor.

• Walks by the Spirit
• Preaches the Word of God with thorough preparation and heartfelt passion
• Relates well to people and has a heart for pastoral ministry,
• Pursues personal evangelism with Spirit-filled determination,
• Exhibits servant-based leadership committed to guiding the church to discover God’s new vision for AMBC
• Works hard but also pursues rest and time with family

The process to find a new Senior Pastor could take from 12-18 months once the position is advertised.  The profile advertising the position will go live after Easter (April 20). We plan to have the new Senior Pastor overlap with Pastor Bill for 4-6 weeks once we find him. Pastor Bill plans on remaining at AMBC until we find the next pastor.

The ideal time for a church leadership transition is when the church is healthy,– as Allen Memorial Baptist is now.  We have strong leaders, a dedicated staff, a unified congregation, and robust programs. If there has ever been a time when we were ready to handle a transition, this is it.

For several months, the Leadership Team, Personnel Team, and Finance Team, have been working with Chemistry Staffing (consultants) who are experienced in facilitating successful Senior Pastor transitions. The Leadership Team, Personnel Team, and Finance Team have been gathering to pray, plan for a smooth process, and develop a profile for the new Senior Pastor.

In January 2025, Bill confirmed his intention to retire to the leadership team (Staff & Deacons), as well as the personnel and finance teams, within the next year or two.  Since then, the Leadership team has been earnestly praying and planning regarding the next steps. We have hired Chemistry Staffing to help with the search for our next Senior Pastor.

Bill Warren has cherished his chapter in the history of Allen Memorial Baptist Church.  In late 2024, he recognized that his time as Senior Pastor was nearing its conclusion and that it was time to begin the process of searching for the next pastor to guide the church into its next season.

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