All-Church Letter: Pastoral transition timeline & other updates

Dear DCV Family,

There are seasons in the life of a church when things are slow and steady, and there are seasons when God seems to be moving quickly, speaking loudly, and it results in a lot of change. We are entering one of those seasons.

But as I’ve been praying for our church, I keep coming back to something I shared recently from Acts 13:1-3.

The church is the place where calling happens.

That has certainly been true of Delaware City Vineyard.

Nearly 18 years ago, Robb and Julie heard God’s call to plant a church here, and this church was born out of their obedience. Since then, we’ve had the privilege of sending people into new jobs, new cities, new marriages, new ministries, and new church plants. We have always been a church that believes following Jesus means listening for His voice and responding when He calls.

And I believe that is what is happening among us right now.

Robb and Julie’s next chapter

As you know, Robb and Julie are preparing to step away from DCV to pursue God’s call to serve the wider Vineyard movement and its church planting efforts. They have been prayerfully exploring opportunities in both New York City and Chicago, and they have not yet made a final decision about where God is calling them.

Over the past several months, they have spent significant time in both places—meeting with Vineyard leaders and church planters, learning about what God is doing in each city, and exploring opportunities to serve, develop leaders, support churches, and help plant new churches. They are encouraged by what they are seeing in both places, and at this point there isn't an obvious choice between the two.

They are entering a focused season of prayer and discernment and expect to have greater clarity in the coming weeks. Would you join us in praying for Robb and Julie—for clarity, confidence, and peace as they listen for God's direction?

After nearly 18 years of faithfully leading, serving, loving, and building this church, this is no small thing. There will be a lot to grieve and a lot to celebrate. But we are committed to blessing and releasing them into whatever God has next.

Our pastoral transition

At the same time, the elders and I have discerned that God is calling me to step into the role of lead pastor. My installation service will be on Sunday, January 10, 2027, and I would love for our whole church family to be there as we pray together and mark this new chapter.

We have the gift of several months of transition together. Julie will remain on staff through May, while helping us prepare and equip the next generation of staff and leaders. Robb and Julie will then continue as volunteers until September 5, 2027, when we will gather on DCV’s 18th anniversary to bless, celebrate, and commission them into their calling.

Two more stories of calling

There are two other significant stories of calling happening among us.

• After nine years on staff, Jo Stottlemire has discerned that God is calling her into a new season as a full-time nursing student. This decision came after a couple years of praying and discerning in community. She’ll remain on staff through the end of this year to help us transition her responsibilities, and then she’ll step into this new chapter in January. The good news is that Jo and Dan aren’t going anywhere. They remain part of our church family, and I’m excited to see what God has ahead for them. We’ll have a special opportunity to pray over and celebrate Jo on December 13.

• Meanwhile, Sam and Haley Moore have been orienting their lives around a call toward church planting in Worthington. They are in the midst of a 4-step preparation process with Vineyard USA. They are also working alongside several Vineyard churches in the area and are planning toward a soft launch in January. Sam and Haley have given so much of themselves to this church, and now we get the privilege of blessing them in their calling.

That’s a lot of updates. And I don't want to minimize that.

Some of us will be excited. Some will be sad. Some may feel anxious about what these changes mean. Some of us may experience all of those things at once. Whatever you are feeling, you don't have to hide it or rush through it. Bring it to God. He is with us in the middle of all of it.

But I also want us to recognize what a beautiful thing is happening here.

People in our church are hearing God's voice. They are responding to his invitations. They are stepping into new callings. And we have the opportunity to bless them, equip them, and send them.

That is who we are.

And that is who we will continue to be.
 
The other thing the Spirit keeps reminding me in this season is that Jesus is our Good Shepherd. Psalm 23:1 says, “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.”

DCV, Jesus is the Chief Shepherd of our church, and in Him, we lack nothing. Any need that arises from people responding to God’s call in faith will be met in Jesus Christ. He is providing for us right now and will always provide for us.
 
There is so much goodness ahead for Delaware City Vineyard, and I’m deeply grateful to be walking into that future with you.

With love,
Aaron