The letter below was sent by email to the congregation of Christ Community Church on May 31, 2012.

Dear Christ Community Church,

After many months of prayerful effort, the Transition Team and Session are excited to announce the most recent progress in selecting our Interim Senior Pastor - a major step in the ongoing transition.  To mark the beginning of a new chapter in transition, Tony Giles has accepted the role as our Interim Senior Pastor and will officially start serving on June 10, 2012.  We are pleased to introduce him to you. 

Tony comes to us with 28 years of pastoral experience serving in large church ministries as well as prior experience as an interim pastor.  Most recently, he has served as the Director of the PCA Nashville Presbytery Church Planting Network and Pastor of Shepherding at Southpointe Community Church.  Throughout the interviews and discussions, we have become convinced of Tony’s appreciation for God’s work in transforming people, his thoughtful and grace-full treatment of the Gospel, and his steady, calming, and welcoming presence.  We believe that his pastoral experience, spiritual gifts, and personal character fit very well the current needs of our church during this time of transition.   

Throughout the rigorous interviews, assessment, and selection process of 29 other candidates, leading to a unanimous Session approval; it has been exciting to become increasingly aware of the evidence that God has been at work to unite Tony with our body for some time.  After 24 years in Charlottesville, VA, God moved him to the Nashville area in 2008 to care for aging parents and to serve the local presbytery.  In addition to those in our church that have known Tony for many years, his ministry in the local area has provided him opportunities to know and serve alongside of several other members of our church and to become well acquainted with our culture and local needs.  As you come to know Tony and hear his story, we are certain that you too will be excited to witness God’s hand in bringing him into our midst at this critical point in the life of our church. 

Tony comes to us in service and community with his wife Mary Lynn.  They have two daughters, Rebecca Giles and Mary Grace Bundrick.  Tony and Mary Lynn currently reside in Brentwood, TN.

We look forward to having him here as our Interim Senior Pastor.  We invite you to come to meet Tony and Mary Lynn in the narthex between the 9am and 10:45am services on June 10, 2012.  As will be announced in the near future, this will be the first of many opportunities to welcome him into our Christ Community family. 

Please join us in welcoming Tony and his family to this important role. 

CCC Transition Team / Interim Sr. Pastor Search Committee

Session of Christ Community Church                                            

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Do you have questions concerning PCA practices for selecting and seating an interim pastor?  Initially, refer to sections 22-5 and 22-6 of the Book of Church Order, but additionally, please do not hesitate to contact the Transition Team or the Session with any questions or clarification on this or any other related topic.  We are here to serve!