theFormed.life

Introduction:

Welcome to a special edition of theFormed.life podcast from Christ Community! In this episode, host Paul Brandes sits down with Tom Nelson, the founding and current lead senior pastor, and Kevin Rockman, current elder chair and chair of the succession task force, for an honest and insightful conversation about the church’s upcoming leadership transition.

With over 37 years of dedicated service, Tom shares how intentional succession planning has always been part of the church’s DNA—from developing a mission-centered leadership culture to launching a pastoral residency program designed to train both internal and external leaders. Kevin takes us behind the scenes of the recent, focused succession process, explaining how the task force was formed, how they considered both internal and external candidates, and why they ultimately felt confident in recommending Gabe as the next lead senior pastor.

You’ll hear about the values and thoughtfulness guiding every step—from bylaws refreshment to financial health and doctrinal integrity—ensuring the church continues forward grounded in its core mission. Join us as we explore the heart, history, and hope steering Christ Community into its next chapter, and get an insider’s look at the team, process, and vision shaping the future of leadership within the church. 

3 Main Takeaways:

1. Intentional, Long-Term Succession Planning
   Succession has been a deliberate part of Christ Community’s leadership culture for many years. Tom Nelson, the founding and current lead senior pastor, emphasized that from the beginning, the church has focused on building leaders and preparing for future transitions. The pastoral residency program was highlighted as a key piece of this strategy—developing a pipeline not only for Christ Community, but for the broader church landscape.
2. Thorough and Prayerful Process
   The succession process was described as thorough, thoughtful, and deeply prayerful. Kevin Rockman, elder chair and head of the succession task force, shared details about assembling a diverse team, consulting internal and external advisors, and considering both internal and external candidates. Key organizational updates, including bylaws and financial health, were made to ensure a stable foundation for the transition. Ultimately, after much discernment and input, the task force and elders unanimously recommended Gabe as the next lead senior pastor.
3. Confidence in Leadership Continuity and the Next Generation
   All speakers expressed deep gratitude and confidence in the continuity of leadership. The selection of Gabe Cole—who embodies the church’s DNA, mission, and vision—was enthusiastically affirmed. There was a strong sense of excitement for the future, both for Gabe’s unique gifts (such as his commitment to spiritual formation and leadership development) and the broader senior team. The episode ends with hopeful anticipation for what God will do through the next generation of leaders.

Timestamps:
00:00 Pastoral Succession Series Launch
05:56 Leadership Transition Reflection
08:59 Elder Team Succession Planning
12:32 Multi-Site Church Leadership Search
15:00 2025 Succession Plan Announcement
17:40 Teamwork Over Individual Roles
21:54 "Leadership Transition in Faith Community"
24:12 "Succession and Leadership Continuity"

Keywords:

lead pastor succession, church leadership transition, Christ Community Church, pastoral residency program, elder board, succession planning, leadership development, organizational integrity, mission statement, church bylaws, financial sustainability, debt free church, EFCA (Evangelical Free Church of America), church doctrine, position papers, gender and church leadership, sexuality and marriage, leadership culture, biblical leadership, team leadership, internal candidates, external candidates, multi-site church, campus pastors, executive leadership team, Gabe Cole, leadership selection process, spiritual formation, staff continuity, future leadership vision

Hashtags:
#LeadershipTransition #ChurchSuccession #SpiritualFormation #ChristCommunityChurch #GospelLeadership #TeamMinistry #BiblicalIntegrity #PastoralResidency #FaithfulStewardship #theFormedLifePodcast
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
WEB: https://cckc.church/
CONNECT: https://ccefc.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/1304/responses/new
IG: https://www.instagram.com/christcommunitykc/
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/christcommunitykc

Introduction:

Welcome to theFormed.life podcast! In this special episode, we share a significant announcement in the life of Christ Community Church. After 37 years of faithful service, founding pastor Tom Nelson is preparing to pass the baton to a new generation of leadership. Joined by Andy Root and Gabe Coyle, the episode celebrates Gabe’s unanimous recommendation by the Elder Board to become the next lead senior pastor. With reflections on the church’s legacy, the importance of spiritual formation, and a vision for building deeper people—not just a bigger church—this conversation invites you into a pivotal moment of transition and hope for the future. Whether you’ve been part of Christ Community for years or are just tuning in, you’ll hear firsthand from those at the heart of this inspiring next chapter. 

3 Main Takeaways:

1. Leadership Transition Announcement: Tom Nelson, the founding pastor, announces that he will be passing the baton to a new generation of leadership at Christ Community Church. After 37 years of dedicated service, he shares the news that the Elder Board has unanimously recommended Gabe Coyle to be the next lead senior pastor.
2. Strong Endorsement for Gabe Coyle: Both Tom Nelson and Andy Root express their excitement about Gabe Coyle stepping into this new role. Gabe has been part of the church for over a decade and already serves at the downtown campus, giving him deep familiarity with the church’s mission and culture. The continuity provided by his leadership, along with the senior team and campus pastors, is highlighted as key for the church's ongoing mission.
3. Focus on Spiritual Formation: There’s a strong emphasis that the role of lead senior pastor at Christ Community is about much more than growing the size of the church; it’s about nurturing spiritual depth and formation—building “deeper people.” Tom Nelson specifically underscores that a pastor's primary calling is to be a “gardener of the soul,” shaping the spiritual health of both the congregation and themselves.

Overall, this episode marks an exciting and hopeful transition period for the church, centered on faithfulness, legacy, and a renewed commitment to its core mission.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• A Long Obedience in the Same Direction - Eugene Peterson

Keywords:

Christ Community Church, Kansas City, pastoral transition, lead senior pastor, Gabe Coyle, Tom Nelson, Elder Board, succession, church leadership, spiritual formation, church mission, continuity, campus pastors, downtown campus, church family, legacy, stewardship, Christian leadership, values, mission, sound doctrine, long obedience, Eugene Peterson, spiritual growth, deeper people, church team, prayerful work, church era, voting, transition date, new generation

Hashtags:
#LeadershipTransition #SpiritualFormation #ChurchLegacy #FaithfulLeadership #GabeCoyle #TomNelson #ChurchFamily #ChristCommunity #PastoralSuccession #theFormedLifePodcast
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
WEB: https://cckc.church/
CONNECT: https://ccefc.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/1304/responses/new
IG: https://www.instagram.com/christcommunitykc/
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/christcommunitykc

READ the written blog on our website:
https://theformed.life/

Welcome to theFormed.life podcast! Today, with Dr. Richard Averbeck, Old Testament expert from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, we're exploring the richness of the Exodus. Join hosts Paul Brandes, Bill Gorman, and Jonathan Neef as we discuss its enduring themes of deliverance, God's faithfulness, presence, the law at Sinai, God's name, and Pharaoh's hardened heart, and how this pivotal story informs our spiritual lives today.

Bio:

Dr. Richard E. Averbeck is a distinguished scholar in Old Testament and Semitic Languages. He holds the title of Professor Emeritus of Old Testament and Semitic Languages at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (TEDS) and has also served as a Senior Research Professor at TEDS. Additionally, he has been a visiting professor at Odesa Theological Seminary in Ukraine and previously taught at Dallas Theological Seminary. His academic focus includes the Pentateuch, ancient Near Eastern history and languages, Old Testament criticism, Hebrew, and biblical counseling. He is a respected author and speaker, contributing significantly to the understanding of the Old Testament and its relevance for today.

Quotes:

• God's faithfulness to His people, demonstrated by His covenant with Abraham in Genesis, continues in Exodus as that family becomes a nation. He heard their groaning because of His commitment to the covenant He made. - Dr. Richard E. Averbeck

3 Main Takeaways:

1. God’s Faithfulness and Presence are Central to Exodus
   The conversation highlighted that a driving theme of Exodus is God’s unwavering faithfulness to His people, even when they falter. Dr. Averbeck emphasized that God remains committed to His covenant and is continually present with His people, a truth powerfully illustrated in the story of Moses and the burning bush (“I will be with you”/the significance of God’s name). This theme of God’s abiding presence is foundational—not just for understanding Exodus, but for grasping the entire biblical story, including its fulfillment in Jesus as “God with us.”
2. The Structure of the Law: Grace First, Guidance Follows
   Dr. Averbeck pointed out that God rescues Israel from slavery before giving them the law—deliverance precedes instruction. The law is not a path to earning God’s favor, but guidance for living as redeemed people. This pattern closely mirrors the gospel dynamic: salvation by grace leads to a life shaped by God’s guidance, not the other way around. The conversation also touched on how the law, including its focus on justice (like debt slavery), reveals God’s character and heart for His people.
3. Exodus Shapes Identity, Worship, and the Story of Redemption
   The hosts and Dr. Averbeck discussed how the story of Exodus isn’t just an ancient tale—it’s a paradigm for understanding God’s work in the world and in individual lives. Themes of deliverance, identity as God’s people, and worship (including the tabernacle as God’s ongoing presence) profoundly shape both Israel’s self-understanding and that of Christians today. The Exodus sets the trajectory for the entire Bible, echoed in Jesus’ mission and continued in Christian worship and life today.

Resources:

• The Ten Commandments (Film) - Cecil B. DeMille
• The Prince of Egypt (Film) - DreamWorks
• Exodus: Gods and Kings (Film) - Ridley Scott
• Chosen (TV series)
• Exodus (JPS Torah Commentary) - Nahum Sarna: https://a.co/d/eqNXoLg
• A Commentary on the Book of Exodus - Umberto Cassuto: https://a.co/d/a2vZlyx
• The Old Testament Law for the Life of the Church: Reading the Torah in the Light of Christ - Dr. Richard Averbeck: https://a.co/d/7xYFt2k
  
  

Timestamps:
00:00 Exodus in Popular Media
05:16 God's Faithfulness Throughout Genesis-Exodus

09:01 "Moses' Reluctance and Divine Assurance"
11:18 Balancing Academics and Spiritual Growth
16:01 Messiah's Presence in Scripture
19:26 Divine Guidance and Presence
20:44 Exodus: Tabernacle and Deliverance
24:09 God's Ownership of His People
30:09 Divine Purpose in Pharaoh's Heart
33:42 Recommended Study Bibles
36:41 "God With Us: Scripture's Promise"
38:01 "Form Life Podcast Resources"

Hashtags

#ExodusStory #GodsFaithfulness #SpiritualFormation #BiblicalIdentity #DivinePresence #OldTestamentLaw #CovenantPeople #GraceAndRedemption #DrAverbeck #theFormedLifePodcast