Click Below to Access the 2026 Annual Meeting Information Packet

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Annual Meeting Questions and Answers

The following questions address topics related to Spry Church’s ministry, leadership, and future direction. This list will be updated as additional questions are submitted. We welcome your questions as we prepare for our annual meeting.

Q. What is the status of the congregationally approved sale of our three residential properties?

At our 2024 Annual Meeting, the congregation approved exploring the sale of our three residential rental properties. The intent was to address the debt associated with disaffiliation and provide additional funding for a backlog of property maintenance and capital projects. We are thankful to report that two of the three properties have been sold. • Whitney Drive: The sale provided enough to pay off the Traditions Bank loan associated with disaffiliation and approximately $75,000 in additional funding for Trustees’ capital projects. • Crestlyn Drive: The sale generated $194,000 in profit. These funds provide additional resources for ministry and mission, including support for capital projects. We have not moved forward with the sale of the School Street property. We are taking additional time to evaluate the property and determine the best course of action before taking further steps.

Q: Are the Trustees adequately funded to address the needs of our church properties?

The Trustees have been working to update our list of facility needs, identify priorities, and develop a plan for addressing them. We recognize that there is much work to do and are committed to making steady, responsible progress. Several sources of funding are available for these needs. In addition to funds included in the 2027 budget, approximately $75,000 from the Whitney Drive sale has been designated for capital projects. Additional proceeds from the Crestlyn Drive sale may also be available for appropriate projects, along with funds designated for Trustee projects in the 2026 budget that have not yet been spent. Over the past two years, we have made substantial additional funding available for facility improvements and capital projects through increased budget allocations and property sale proceeds. While these resources provide important support, they will not allow us to complete every project immediately. The Trustees are working to prioritize the most important needs and develop a responsible plan for addressing them over time. Looking ahead, we expect to continue addressing these needs through responsible budgeting, generous giving, available capital funds, potential additional property proceeds, and, when appropriate, capital campaigns for larger projects. Our goal is to care well for our facilities while being faithful stewards of the financial resources God has provided.

Q: Why are we proposing to allocate 10% of our budget to missions? Could we give less financially and do more through hands-on service?

Over the past three years, we have been intentionally reshaping our missions ministry around our vision to Love Jesus, Be Transformed, and Declare Hope. The Missions Team has spent considerable time developing a clearer philosophy of missions and discerning relationships with partners who share that calling. Last year, the team introduced seven local and global partners with whom we believe Spry can build meaningful, long-term relationships. Our desire is for missions to be about more than simply writing checks. We want the people of Spry Church to serve graciously, care deeply, share boldly, give generously, and love unconditionally as we participate in what God is doing through these partners. The proposed 10% allocation of our budget represents both a significant financial commitment and a tangible expression of our church’s priorities. It reflects our desire to set aside a portion of what God provides to advance his work beyond our own congregation and to provide our missions partners with reliable financial support. Financial support and hands-on service are not competing approaches to missions. We believe we need both. Financial resources enable our partners to sustain and expand their ministries, while opportunities to serve, pray, encourage, and build relationships help us participate personally in the work God is doing. The Missions Team will continue creating opportunities for the congregation to engage with our partners in practical ways. Our hope is that people throughout Spry will see themselves as participants in the mission—not simply as people who give money, but as people who pray, serve, encourage, give, build relationships, and, through it all, share the love of Christ. The proposed 10% allocation is one way we seek to put our mission into practice. Our larger goal is to use everything God has entrusted to us—our finances, time, gifts, relationships, and resources—to make Jesus known and declare his hope in our community and around the world.

Q: How did we determine the current structure of the Pastoral Team?

When Pastor Luke announced in January that he would be returning to full-time missions work, Spry Church entered a season of pastoral transition. The Spiritual Leadership Team (SLT) formed a temporary Transition Team to help maintain continuity in ministry, care for our church family and staff, support the pastoral search, and keep the congregation informed. During this season, leaders considered how Spry’s pastoral leadership could best support the mission and vision God has for our church. An organizational assessment helped clarify pastoral responsibilities, identify ministry needs at each campus, and consider opportunities for stronger collaboration between our two locations. Several possible structures were explored, including one that would have created a new Executive Pastor position in addition to hiring a Pine Grove Campus Pastor. Following prayer, discussion, and consultation with the Staff Relations Committee, the SLT reaffirmed Spry’s vision of being one church in two locations and determined that continuing with a Lead Pastor for the whole church and having a Campus Pastor at each campus best supports that vision. This approach provides leadership for Spry as a whole while ensuring that each campus has a primary pastoral presence, preacher, and spiritual leader. It also reflects our commitment to faithful stewardship of God’s resources. Our church bylaws entrust the SLT with responsibility for providing and protecting Spry Church’s vision and mission. In keeping with our Wesleyan heritage, we practice representational leadership, with designated lay leaders elected by the congregation at the annual meeting. They represent the congregation in their various leadership capacities. Our bylaws do not require a congregational vote for appointing a Campus Pastor. Nevertheless, because of the importance of the Campus Pastor role to our shared life and ministry, the SLT has decided to invite the congregation to vote on each recommended Campus Pastor candidate when we are ready to do so.

Q: How will the Lead Pastor and Campus Pastors work together to serve Spry Church?

Pastor Ken will continue as Lead Pastor, providing leadership and pastoral support for the whole church, strengthening ministry and connections at both campuses, and investing in disciples and leaders. He will be regularly present at both campuses, including participating in the preaching rotation. Each Campus Pastor will provide a consistent pastoral presence for that campus, regularly preaching, leading worship, connecting with people, building teams, and caring for the congregation. Each campus will have a Campus Pastor who works collaboratively with the Lead Pastor and the wider Pastoral Team to serve the congregation and advance Spry’s shared mission. Our goal is to continue to be one church in two locations: celebrating the distinctiveness of each campus while remaining united in our mission, values, and shared life in Christ.

Q: What is happening with the search for a Pine Grove Campus Pastor? What is the plan for pastoral leadership at Pine Grove?

Since launching the public search on July 13, we have received sixteen applications and conducted six initial virtual interviews. Three candidates advanced for further consideration, and the search team completed five additional interviews. We have a candidate who has progressed to the next stage in our vetting process. Our Pastoral Search Team is prayerfully discerning the next steps as we seek the person God is calling to serve alongside us. Candidates meet with representatives from the Pastoral Search Team, Staff Relations Committee, church staff, and Spiritual Leadership Team. Both campuses are represented, with most participants regularly attending our Pine Grove Campus. When the search team recommends a candidate, that person will be invited to preach at Spry on a date announced in advance, giving the congregation an opportunity to hear the candidate before a congregational vote, which can take place at a special meeting. Please continue to pray for wisdom and discernment for the search team, the candidates and their families, and the pastor who will join us in ministry. If you have questions about the search, Cliff Warner and Mindy Noll, who lead the Pastoral Search Team, would be glad to speak with you. You may reach out to the church office for their contact details. We have Sunday morning plans in place for the foreseeable future. Most Sundays, Pastor Ken will continue serving at our Pine Grove Campus and Pastor Austin at our School Street Campus, with occasional campus swaps and guest preachers. We’re grateful for the continued opportunity to worship and serve the Lord together as we move forward.

Q: What happens next in the pastoral transition?

Our immediate focus is on continuing to provide faithful pastoral leadership at both campuses while the search for a Pine Grove Campus Pastor continues. Through the end of 2026 and into 2027, Pastor Ken will continue serving at Pine Grove most Sundays, and Pastor Austin will serve at School Street, with occasional campus swaps and guest preachers. The Pastoral Search Team continues to seek and discern candidates for the Pine Grove position. When the team reaches a recommendation, the candidate will be invited to preach at Spry so the congregation has an opportunity to hear that person prior to a congregational vote. We will continue sharing updates as the search progresses. Meanwhile, the pastoral leadership structure approved by the SLT provides a framework for serving both campuses as one church. Our commitment is to care for our congregation, support our staff, and continue the ministries God has entrusted to us throughout this transition.

Q: What will happen to Pastor Austin’s current responsibilities, and what is the financial impact?

As Austin prepares to move from his current Connections Pastor responsibilities to the School Street Campus Pastor role, responsibility for small groups will be incorporated into the work of each Campus Pastor. They will work with current group leaders, provide support, and help recruit and develop additional leaders. Austin will also continue his worship leadership. The pastoral staffing structure includes a Campus Pastor at each campus while eliminating the Connections Pastor position as a separate role. The 2027 budget has been prepared to reflect that structure.

Q: What is Spry Church doing to invest in children’s ministry and future staffing needs?

The Staff Relations Committee has also posted positions to invest in children’s ministry: a full-time Children’s Ministry Director and a part-time Children’s Ministry Leader at each campus. Our children are an important part of our community, and we want them to know Jesus, grow in faith, and be surrounded by the love and support of our church family. Future staffing decisions will be made prayerfully, considering the needs of our congregation, the gifts of our staff, our financial resources, and God’s mission for Spry Church.

Q: Why are we recommending Pastor Austin for ordination?

The recommendation to ordain Austin reflects our confidence in his calling to pastoral ministry and our discernment of his readiness to serve in this capacity. As part of the process, Austin has participated in interviews and assessments, including consideration of his understanding of Scripture and Christian doctrine. The Ordination Council has completed its review and unanimously recommended him for ordination. Ordination is an important affirmation of a person’s calling from God and commitment to serve Christ and his Church. We are grateful for Austin’s faithful service at Spry and believe this is an appropriate next step in his pastoral journey. The congregation is being invited to affirm the recommendation through a vote at the annual meeting.

Q: How can we grow in Christ, together in faith, hope, and love, as one church in two locations? What ministry priorities will guide us as we move forward in ministry?

Our shared mission given to us by Jesus is this: Love Jesus. Be Transformed. Declare Hope. Along with that mission, our core values reflect what we prioritize as we are passionately focused on Jesus, deeply rooted in Scripture, boldly Spirit-led in community, and relentlessly devoted to the mission of God. Our mission and core values provide the foundation for our life together. In the coming season, we will place particular emphasis on helping people to engage more deeply with God through Scripture and prayer, and to discover their God-given purpose. We want people at both campuses to grow as disciples and use their gifts to serve one another and our community. Our preaching, small groups, discipleship resources, and opportunities to serve will help us pursue that vision together. The pastoral structure supports this mission by providing consistent pastoral leadership at each campus while strengthening collaboration across Spry Church. We know that unity does not mean uniformity. Our campuses can have distinct characteristics and ministry needs while remaining connected through one shared identity and mission. Our hope is to see Jesus transform lives, restore hope, develop disciples, and equip people to participate in God’s work throughout York County and beyond. Thank you for your continued love for this church, for one another, and for the mission God has entrusted to us. As we move forward, may we remain grounded in our mission: Love Jesus. Be Transformed. Declare Hope.

Q: What is the vision and where are we going as a church?

Pastor Ken recently shared a vision talk outlining our hopes and priorities for the coming season. The message focuses on how we can continue to grow as disciples of Jesus, strengthen our life together as one church in two locations, and participate in God’s mission throughout York County and beyond.

Click to watch the video: 2026 Spry Narrative Update.