Senior Pastor Transition - FAQs

"It is time for the Village Church to move boldly and faithfully into the next season of its life. The church is strong. We have a large and growing body of members, particularly among younger folks and families, and it is time for a younger pastor to minister among all of you. We are blessed with an excellent facility that will serve our ministries for decades to come. We have a committed core of members who I believe will continue to enjoy and support the work of the church. We are guided and served by a talented and seasoned staff, led by Executive Associate Pastor Jan Cook.

As of June of 2026, I will have served as an ordained pastor in local churches for 44 years, and as of February 2026, I have served the church in both volunteer and paid positions in preparation for ministry for 50 years. This position requires immense energy and attention every single day. A few months after the church itself, I will reach the age of 70 years, and I am less able to provide such a level of care and devotion to those whom I serve.

With the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the counsel of family and friends, I believe that God is calling me to a new season of life that will allow me time for rest and recreation. It is also time for me to dedicate more time to my family, who have given so much to the life of ministry throughout my career.

Jan Cook will be with the church a few more years, and her presence is very important as we go through this transition. One reason Jan chose to remain here was her desire to provide stability and consistency through this season of change."

The Rev. Dr. Jack Baca
(April 2026)

Pastor Jack intends to stay in his role until a successor is called, a process that could take 12 to 18 months. Once the new pastor is announced, there will be up to a one-month transition where Pastor Jack's role will shift to guiding and connecting.

The Village Church Nominating Committee has selected members for the Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC). A member of the Committee on Ministry (CoM) from the San Diego Presbytery was assigned to assist the PNC with the search process that began in June 2026.

Session appointed a Transition Committee in 2023 to develop a succession plan for the church that ensures continuity of leadership and ministry, and supports a smooth and faithful transition during times of change. It enhances the church's long-term health and stability by reducing uncertainty and building confidence among staff and the congregation. Many of the suggestions in the succession plan have already been implemented, creating a stable and healthy environment for the church. Notably, this includes the installation of Pastor Jan Cook as our Executive Associate Pastor and the completion of the Strategic Plan in 2025.

The Transition Committee recommended that the church pursue a succession plan outside the usual Presbyterian process, typically involving hiring an interim pastor before the call of a new senior pastor. This approach provides leadership continuity, maintains congregational stability, and allows for a more prayerful, strategic transition aligned with the congregation's needs and culture.

Part of Pastor Jan's calling to the role of Executive Associate Pastor was about her desire to serve beyond the transition, highlighting her strong relationship with the congregation and her consistent, trusted partnerships with leadership and staff. She firmly believes that it is in the best interest of both the congregation and staff to cultivate a stabilizing presence during this pivotal season and to serve as a bridge into the next chapter. While it is technically possible for an Associate to become a Senior Pastor, this is not Jan's desire nor the terms of understanding under which she became our Executive Associate Pastor.

The Village Church will certainly celebrate the ministry of the Baca's.

It is not recommended for a senior pastor to remain as a member of the church he served. Staying could blur boundaries, create confusion about authority, and unintentionally undermine the leadership of the successor. Stepping away allows the new pastor to build trust, establish vision, and develop pastoral relationships without comparison or interference. It also gives the retiring pastor space to embrace a new season of life and ministry.

No, the Presbyterian church does not allow the participation of the pastors in the search process. However, the PNC may interview the pastors early in the process to glean information about the position profile and requirements of the role.

Yes, the PNC conducted a church-wide survey and listening sessions to gather input. In addition, the PNC met with the pastors and all the ministry directors before developing the detailed job description known as the Ministry Discernment Profile. It was approved by Session.

The PNC welcomes all suggestions! Just email them to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Besides the PC(USA) job portal, the Senior Pastor Opportunity is being shared with leading employment websites for Christian pastors, Christian seminaries, pastoral staff at PC(USA) churches and the major presbyteries in the U.S. It's a comprehensive effort to spread the news from coast to coast.

Professionals in the search industry and highly regarded Presbyterian leaders expect a search like ours to take from one year to a year and a half.

The Village Church website has all the documents online at: villagechurch.org/pastor-nominating-committee