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Due to potentially damaging weather this afternoon and evening, the children’s musical and pre-show events in the Leawood Sanctuary have been cancelled and will be rescheduled.
Scheduled programming has resumed for Thursday, February 13 at all Resurrection locations.
Dear Resurrection Family,
It has been my greatest joy to be your pastor these last thirty-six years, and I love you so very much. Thank you for your prayers these last twelve weeks. I am grateful for you and proud of the many ways you live out your faith as “salt and light” in the world.
A little over a year ago, I began feeling a nudge to consider running for the US Senate. In January of this year, LaVon began to feel that nudge, too. We spent the last 12 weeks in a process of discernment, asking if this was God’s will, why me, and what difference I could make if I ran. We listened to people in 18 towns across Kansas. We prayed and fasted. My emotions ranged from conviction to fear to hope and finally peace. This morning, about the time this email is being sent out, I will be at a press conference announcing that I will be running as an “independent-minded” candidate on the Democratic ticket for the United States Senate.
What will this mean for our congregation? For 35 years, our church has been relentless in pursuit of purpose and vision, and that won’t change. I am convinced that all of our best years are ahead of us – it has been an exciting year at Resurrection with many more amazing things on the horizon.
During the campaign season, I’ll continue as your Senior Pastor. However, I will reduce my schedule during the campaign. You will see me less often, and after I complete the current sermon series on The Sermon on the Mount, I won’t be preaching during the campaign. Our Executive Team will manage the day-to-day operations, and our team of pastors and some amazing guest preachers will lead us in worship. Should I win, the church will determine my role at that time.
Please continue to pray for LaVon and me and our family, as well as for our church, and our country. I’m not sure what the campaign season will hold. I know you will stay true to our shared values of respect, kindness, integrity and grace.
You can find additional information, including the line of separation that will be maintained between the church and the campaign at cor.org/seniorpastor. My campaign will have a website up soon for those interested in more information. You will not be hear about these efforts in worship or in my e-Note.
Please be in worship this weekend. Again, at the conclusion of the sermon, I’ll share more about my personal journey over the past twelve weeks and offer a few words about what lies ahead for our church.
In Christ’s love,
Adam
Under the structure for United Methodist churches, as found in our Book of Discipline, our congregation has a personnel oversight committee, the Staff-Parish Relations Committee (SPRC). This group serves as the chief liaison between the congregation and our staff and pastors, including Pastor Adam. To that end, we coordinate with our talented executive leaders and the Great Plains Annual Conference to care for the health, stability, and spiritual continuity of our congregation. The SPRC has prepared some frequently asked questions below to provide transparency and clarity.
1. Does the United Methodist Church allow clergy to hold public office?
Yes. The United Methodist Church encourages civic engagement and political participation by all members, including clergy. The denomination recognizes the importance of the political community and affirms individuals serving in public office. Local church governance works with the oversight of our District Superintendent and Bishop to ensure a pastor’s public service does not compromise the mission of the local congregation.
2. Will the church endorse candidates?
No. Resurrection does not endorse political candidates or parties. A strength of our congregation is its diversity of opinion, with Republicans, Democrats and Independents worshiping side-by-side and each voting according to their individual convictions. Further, the church will not host or engage in campaign activity. Our focus remains on shared faith and clarity of purpose.
3. Will church resources be used for the campaign?
No. Clear firewalls are established and monitored by the Staff-Parish Relations Committee to ensure separation between the church and campaign. Specifically:
4. Is there accountability to ensure the firewalls between the church and the campaign are maintained?
Accountability is a cornerstone of United Methodist polity. Locally, the church’s Staff-Parish Relations Committee is the primary administrative liaison between the congregation and the pastor, tasked with assessing the pastor’s effectiveness, managing personnel policies, and maintaining healthy boundaries. Additionally, as an ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church, Pastor Adam remains accountable to the Bishop and the Annual Conference for his character, effectiveness, and adherence to church law. This provides a robust, multi-layered system of oversight to protect the church’s integrity.
5. If the church isn’t using resources for the campaign, why did it send an email to the congregation and post information on its website?
The church has a duty to be transparent with its congregation regarding information that directly impacts congregational life, including changes to the Senior Pastor’s role, availability, and future employment status. Sharing such information and answering congregational questions ensures the church family is informed about matters of importance to the church.
6. How is the church governed? Can Pastor Adam make unilateral decisions that blend his campaign with church business?
No. As a United Methodist Church, Resurrection operates under a well-developed system of shared governance and checks and balances. Pastor Adam does not unilaterally make decisions about church property, finances, data, or personnel. The congregation is governed by the Church Council, which manages the overall ministry and budget. The Board of Trustees provides oversight for church property, and the Staff-Parish Relations Committee oversees personnel and pastoral boundaries. This structure ensures no single individual, including the Senior Pastor, makes unilateral decisions that would inappropriately leverage church resources.
7. Is the church’s policy on political activity available to the public?
Yes. The policy can be accessed here.
8. How will Pastor Adam’s role change between now and Election Day on November 3?
Pastor Adam will continue as our Senior Pastor, fulfilling key roles on a limited schedule. When he is on the campaign trail, he will use his available balance of vacation leave or take unpaid leave. To ensure responsibilities at the church are met and clear boundaries are maintained, the Staff-Parish Relations Committee will actively oversee his schedule.
9. What happens if Pastor Adam isn’t elected?
Would he continue as our Senior Pastor? Yes, Adam would resume his full-time responsibilities as Senior Pastor.
10. If he is elected, is it anticipated that Pastor Adam will continue as our Senior Pastor?
Yes. There is a precedent for clergy serving in Congress while pastoring a local congregation. We would anticipate him routinely leading worship, preaching 12–18 times a year, mentoring staff, and advancing the church’s vision. His role would be part-time, and Senate rules limit outside earned income to a current maximum of $33,855 per year. Day-to-day management would continue to be handled by our executive team, and guest preachers would supplement our pastoral team.
11. Is the church still planning for a pastoral transition in 2030?
Yes. In 2021, the church established a Succession Planning Committee to oversee a smooth transition upon Pastor Adam’s eventual retirement. Regardless of election results, the Committee will continue to prepare the congregation for Pastor Adam’s anticipated retirement in 2030.
12. What will Sunday worship look like while Pastor Adam runs for office?
Sundays will remain a sacred time, with compelling worship experiences and sermons. Our pastors, ministry leaders, and guest preachers will lead us in glorifying God, growing spiritually, and being equipped to live out our faith in the world. You will not hear campaign messages from the pulpit. When Pastor Adam is present in worship, he will do so as our Senior Pastor, not as a candidate for office.
13. If he wins, would the church be able to remain strong without Adam’s leadership?
Actually, Adam anticipates remaining our Senior Pastor, win or lose. He will continue to steer the church and serve as its leader. In addition, the church has capable, faithful leaders throughout its governance bodies, executive team, associate pastors, and staff. Regardless of election results, we will pursue the dreams God has laid on our church’s heart, including Vision 2030, with deeply embedded values, and clarity of purpose. The church’s future remains bright.
14. Will there be increased physical security?
Yes. The church is coordinating with federal and local resources to further enhance and harden the congregation’s security. Although security details are not publicly shared, congregants will notice enhancements such as additional uniformed law enforcement personnel at Leawood.
15. How should we handle political mudslinging or attacks on the church?
This is a challenging political climate, and people may intentionally misrepresent or attempt to damage the church. If that occurs, we will stay grounded in the values we’ve practiced together: responding with kindness, approaching information thoughtfully, speaking of others with respect, and refraining from negativity. Our focus will stay on living out our mission with integrity, grace, and clarity.
16. How can I be supportive?
Pray, remain active in worship, and faithful in stewardship. Anyone seeking to support any political candidate must do so through the campaign, not through the church.