FAQs for the Lead Pastor Transition

A Word of Encouragement

We understand that transitions naturally bring questions and emotions—this is part of being a close church family who loves one another deeply. As we navigate this season together, we want to offer you three reassuring truths.

First, God has proven his faithfulness through every season of 360’s journey. For twenty years, he has guided us through changes, growth, and new chapters with his perfect provision. We can trust him completely as we enter this next season together.

Second, celebrating those called to serve beyond our walls is part of our church DNA. Over the years, we’ve joyfully commissioned many from our family to answer God’s call to ministry and missions. Each sending has brought exciting new chapters and Kingdom multiplication. We now have the privilege of championing this same calling on Steve and Carrie’s lives.

Finally, your questions during this time are completely natural and welcome. We’ve prepared these Frequently Asked Questions to provide clarity about what’s happening now and what lies ahead. Our prayer is that these answers will bring you peace and excitement about God’s continued faithfulness to our church family.

Remember, our God is a multiplier! What he’s doing through this transition will bear fruit in ways we can’t yet imagine, both globally through Steve and Carrie’s ministry and right here through the continued growth of 360 Church.

Why is this change happening?

This transition represents the beautiful fulfillment of God’s original vision for 360 Church. Twenty years ago, when God called Steve and Carrie to plant 360, his purpose extended far beyond our Sarasota community—he was positioning a global mission.

What began as disciple-making tools developed here at 360 has grown into a worldwide movement spanning more than 140 countries. The Holy Spirit, who called Steve and Carrie to plant our church, is now calling them to take this mission to the nations full-time.

This isn’t a departure from our original calling—it’s the ultimate expression of it. We were planted to “make disciples of all nations,” and now God is positioning our founding couple to do exactly that on a global scale. Steve and Carrie’s transition to full-time missionary work is simply the next level of the same calling that birthed 360 Church.

We celebrate this as God’s perfect timing and his faithfulness to the vision he gave us from the very beginning. 360 was never just about building a local congregation—we were called to be a launching pad for worldwide multiplication.

Who will be our new Lead Pastor? How will the search process work? We also have formed a Search Team with Tony Gamelin appointed as the leader. We’ve partnered with Bright Street Solutions and their founder Aaron Bishop, a ministry recruiting expert, to lead our pastoral search. This collaborative team will interview candidates and manage the selection process. We will add other 360 members as we identify serious candidates, and interact with other 360 members, the Next Season Team, and the staff.

To ensure we navigate this transition with wisdom and intentionality, we’ve brought on Todd McMichen as our transition consultant to guide us through each step of the search process. Todd brings a unique combination of pastoral heart and strategic expertise—he’s spent years in pastoral ministry, held leadership positions at Lifeway Christian Resources, and has successfully shepherded numerous churches through major pastoral transitions. His experience gives us confidence that we’re approaching this pivotal moment with both pastoral sensitivity and proven strategy.

We’ve also assembled a Next Season Team consisting of Doug Poll (360 Board member), Tony Gamelin (360 Board member), and Jeff Speers to help navigate our transition within 360. The Next Season Team will work with Todd McMichen, keeping our church family informed and updated about the progress and status of the search.

What’s the timeline for this transition? Pastoral searches typically take 6-12 months, though God’s timing may be different. We’re committed to following his lead. We’ll keep you updated as we progress.

Will there be an interim Lead Pastor, and if so, who? No interim Lead Pastor is needed. Steve will continue serving as Lead Pastor throughout the entire search process, ensuring continuity of leadership and pastoral care.

Will the church’s vision, mission, and direction change? 360 Church was founded on the vision of one-to-one disciple-making, and this remains our core mission. We’re also committed to reaching our community through an intentional relational approach. The Next Season Team is dedicated to finding a Lead Pastor who shares and will champion these same values.

Will church staff positions be changing? We’re strengthening our leadership structure by adding a second Executive Pastor role. Mitch Lomazov will serve as Executive Pastor of Ministries, and Eric Williams will serve as Executive Pastor of Operations. This expanded leadership team will ensure strong pastoral care and operational excellence during the transition and beyond.

How can we support you during this transition? Your prayers are our greatest need. Please pray for wisdom as we seek God’s choice for our next Lead Pastor, for unity

during this transition, and for Steve and Carrie as they step into full-time missionary work.

What will Steve and Carrie’s missionary work look like? Where will they be serving? Steve and Carrie will continue leading SmallCircle, the global disciple-making movement they founded 15 years ago. As full-time missionaries, they’ll travel internationally to equip pastors and leaders, helping churches develop deeper disciple- making cultures. Their work spans over 140 countries, focusing on multiplication of disciples who make disciples.

Will Steve and Carrie be staying in the Sarasota area or moving away? Steve and Carrie will continue to call Sarasota home. While their missionary work requires international travel, they’ll maintain their home base here in our community.

Will Steve still be involved with 360 Church in any capacity? During the search process, Steve will continue preaching at his normal frequency. Once our new Lead Pastor is chosen, Steve, the Next Season Team, the 360 Board, and the new Lead Pastor will discuss any ongoing relationship that honors both Steve’s missionary calling and the new Lead Pastor’s leadership.

Can our church contribute to Steve and Carrie’s missionary support?

Yes! We wholeheartedly support SmallCircle’s global mission. You can partner with them through either a one-time gift or ongoing monthly support in two ways:

Online: smallcircle.com/donate

By check: SmallCircle Inc. PO Box 52144 Sarasota, FL 34232

Your partnership in this mission helps multiply disciple-making around the world.