Church Family,
I announced several weeks ago that we have been working through our long-term succession planning process for the last nine months, and I wanted to update you on our progress. In this process, the personnel committee gathered a team of church members to help identify the right individual, and since March, they have been diligently praying and seeking God’s direction. In October, this group recommended to the Personnel Committee one particular candidate. The Personnel Committee began the interview process and has formally invited Aaron Filippone to join our staff. Last week Aaron let me know that he has accepted the position, and he and his family will start making their move to Indian Rocks.
Aaron and his wife Amannda Filippone have been married for 18 years and have four children, Caleb – 9th grade, Isaac – 8th grade, Grace – 5th grade, and Elisha – Kindergarten. Aaron has served as a Pastor at Family Church in West Palm Beach since 2010 and has been instrumental in leading Family Church to have 15 locations across three counties. He leads the team of pastors for all 15 sites. He has his Ed.D., M.A.C.E., and B.S., all from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky.
We are incredibly grateful and excited for Aaron to be part of our staff. Aaron is joining the staff as the Senior Associate Pastor with the plan to become the Senior Pastor. Aaron and I have worked together on a plan that will make a smooth transition this next year as we pass the baton. We will take this next year, share the preaching responsibilities, and let Aaron get to know you. We will still share some preaching responsibilities the following year, but I will take on a new role working with our pastors and other ministries. I am excited about this new role and look forward to helping Aaron get acclimated to Indian Rocks in his new role.
You will get a chance to meet Aaron and his family next weekend as I have asked him to come and preach on Sunday, December 11, at both Sunday morning services. This will allow you to meet him and hear his heart for ministry. Please be praying for him and his family as they make this move.
Pastor Jeff Parish
Senior Pastor, Indian Rocks Baptist Church
Pastor Jeff’s Message from the Services
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pastor Jeff retiring immediately?
No. We are starting the succession planning process now so Pastor Jeff can retire in his own time with the opportunity to take on alternate responsibilities and be available during an extended transition and mentor the next senior pastor.
What position are we hiring?
We are hiring a Senior Associate Pastor that will, in God's timing, transition into the role of Senior Pastor.
What does the transition process look like?
In this process, the personnel committee gathered a team of church members to help identify the right individual, and since March, they have been diligently praying and seeking God's direction. In October, this group recommended to the Personnel Committee one particular candidate. The Personnel Committee began the interview process and has formally invited Aaron Filippone to join our staff. Last week Aaron let me know that he has accepted the position, and he and his family will start making their move to Indian Rocks.
Who is responsible for leading this process?
The Personnel Committee is leading this process at the request of Pastor Jeff. The Personnel Committee is comprised of six individuals. To create an even deeper breadth of experience and ages and to aid in the selection process, the Personnel Committee has created a Succession Planning Subcommittee. This subcommittee identifies candidates, performs a vetting process, and reviews everything about an individual before presenting them one at a time for consideration to the Personnel Committee.
Personnel Committee Members
Dave Shanks – Chair
Bob Krajeski – Vice Chair
Deborah Janecki
Carey Bonham
Suzie Lombardo
Don Blank
Why now?
Pastor Jeff feels like God laid this on his heart to begin and communicate the planning process so that Indian Rocks can continue to thrive and grow, even through a transition.
Who is joining the staff as the Senior Associate Pastor?
In October, the Succession Planning Sub-Committee recommended one candidate to the Personnel Committee. The Personnel Committee began the interview process and has formally invited Aaron Filippone to join our staff. Last week Aaron let me know that he has accepted the position, and he and his family will start making their move to Indian Rocks.
Aaron and his wife Amannda Filippone have been married for 18 years and have four children, Caleb – 9th grade, Isaac – 8th grade, Grace – 5th grade, and Elisha – Kindergarten. Aaron has served as a Pastor at Family Church in West Palm Beach since 2010 and has been instrumental in leading Family Church to have 15 locations across three counties. He leads the team of pastors for all 15 sites. He has his Ed.D., M.A.C.E., and B.S., all from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky.
When will we get a chance to meet Aaron?
You will get a chance to meet Aaron and his family next weekend, December 11. Pastor Jeff has asked him to come and preach on Sunday, December 11, at both Sunday morning services. This will allow you to meet him and hear his heart for ministry.
What are we voting on April 16?
On April 16 we will be voting on Pastor Aaron on April 16 to take the official role of Senior Pastor of Indian Rocks on August 6