A New Season for ERCF —And What It Means for You
This next season is about continuing to build a church where you can grow in your faith, experience God, and step into what He has for your life.
Our heart is to become a church that not only gathers, but disciples—where people are known, supported, and equipped to live out their faith in everyday life.
This transition positions ERCF to move forward with clarity, unity, and a renewed focus on helping people grow in their relationship with Jesus.
The Transition
After many years of faithful leadership, Jim Gordon will be stepping out of his role as Lead Pastor and CEO and moving into a new role as Pastor Emeritus.
This transition comes from Jim’s heart and has been part of a thoughtful and prayerful process over time.
We are deeply grateful for Jim and Carrie’s leadership, their heart for people, and the lasting impact they have had on ERCF.
As part of this transition, Chris Long will be stepping into the role of Lead Pastor and CEO.
Chris has been serving as Executive Pastor and has been closely involved in the life, leadership, and future direction of ERCF. We are excited about this next season and the way God is leading our church forward.
Leadership Roles
As we step into this next season, we want to provide clear and healthy leadership for our church.
Chris will serve as Lead Pastor & CEO, providing vision, leadership, and direction for ERCF moving forward.
Jim will move into the role of Pastor Emeritus, serving in a part-time capacity (approximately 50%). In this role, he will offer pastoral support, mentorship, and occasional teaching, while no longer carrying leadership or decision-making responsibility.
This structure allows us to honor Jim’s faithful leadership while ensuring clear and unified direction for the future.
Looking Forward Together
As we step into this next season, our focus is simple:
To become a church where people don’t just attend, but grow.
A church where discipleship is at the center—where people are known, supported, and encouraged in their walk with Jesus.
We believe this season will be marked by deeper community, stronger faith, and a renewed sense of purpose for every person who calls ERCF home.
This isn’t just a leadership change—it’s a step forward we are taking together as a church family.
As we move into this next season, our heart is not simply to transition leadership, but to continue growing as a community that follows Jesus, supports one another, and lives out our faith together.
Join Us in This Next Season
We believe God is leading ERCF into a meaningful new chapter, and we would love for you to be part of it.
Join us this Sunday as we share more about this transition and step forward together as a church family.
And mark your calendar for June 28, as we gather to celebrate, pray, and formally commission this next season together.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
When we say “transition,” we are referring to a defined period of time where leadership responsibilities are gradually handed over from Jim to Chris.
This transition period begins now and leads up to June 28, which will be our formal Commissioning Sunday.
After June 28, Chris will fully step into the role of Lead Pastor & CEO, and Jim will move into his role as Pastor Emeritus.
-
This transition has been in process for some time and comes out of prayer, discernment, and ongoing conversations about the future of ERCF.
Jim sensed this was the right time to step into a new season, and together with the Board and Pastoral Advisors, there has been a shared confidence that God is leading in this direction.
-
No. Jim is not leaving ERCF.
He will be stepping into the role of Pastor Emeritus, which allows him to continue to be part of the life of the church in a meaningful way, while no longer carrying the day-to-day leadership responsibility.
-
Pastor Emeritus is an honorary and relational role that reflects Jim’s years of faithful leadership.
In this role, Jim will continue to be part of the church community and may serve in supportive and pastoral ways, while the primary leadership responsibility shifts to the Lead Pastor.
-
This decision came through a thoughtful and prayerful process led by the Board of Directors and Pastoral Advisors.
Over time, Jim, the elders, and the Board sensed God leading toward a leadership transition, and this became something we committed to seeking together in prayer and unity.
That process included:
Multiple conversations about the future leadership of ERCF
Clearly defining the role and leadership needs
A formal discernment and fit assessment process for Chris
Ongoing prayer, listening, and alignment among leadership
To support this process, we also engaged Nelson & Kraft, who helped guide us in following a clear and healthy leadership transition framework.
They will continue to provide coaching and support for both Jim and Chris over the next year to help ensure a strong and healthy transition.
Throughout this process, there was a consistent and growing sense of unity that God was leading in this direction.
This was not a quick decision. It was a careful, Spirit-led process that led to a clear and confident outcome.
-
The leadership transition is already underway and will continue through a defined handover period leading up to June 28.
During this time:
Responsibilities will gradually shift from Jim to Chris
Leadership roles will be clearly established
The church will have space to process and ask questions
On June 28, we will have a formal Commissioning Sunday, where:
Chris will be publicly commissioned as Lead Pastor & CEO
Jim will be honored and step into his role as Pastor Emeritus
After this date, the transition will be considered complete from a leadership standpoint.
-
Chris Long will serve as Lead Pastor & CEO, providing overall leadership, vision, and direction for the church.
Jim Gordon will serve as Pastor Emeritus, continuing to be part of the church community and supporting in appropriate ways.
-
Chris will be stepping into the role of Lead Pastor & CEO, which includes overall leadership, vision, and direction for ERCF.
As part of this transition, we are not simply “replacing” his previous role. Instead, we are strengthening our leadership structure to support the future growth of our church.
That’s why we will be exploring the addition of an Executive Director role.
This role will focus on operational leadership and organizational support, helping ensure that our ministries and systems are strong and sustainable, while allowing the Lead Pastor to focus on spiritual leadership, teaching, and vision.
This is not about filling a gap—it’s about building a healthy and effective leadership structure for where God is leading us.
-
Over time, we anticipate continuing to invest in key areas of ministry and administration
-
We want to walk through this together as a church family.
If you have questions, you can reach out at:
succession@ercf.ca
-
The best way to support this season is through:
Prayer
Unity
Encouragement for both Jim and Chris
Continued engagement in the life of the church
We believe God is leading ERCF into a meaningful new season, and we’re grateful to walk into it together.
-
No. Chris serves as Lead Pastor & CEO and carries full responsibility for leadership, vision, and decision-making at ERCF. Jim now serves as Pastor Emeritus in a supportive and advisory role.
-
No. Jim now serves in a part-time capacity (approximately 50%). His focus is on pastoral presence, mentorship, and supporting the life of the church, rather than day-to-day leadership or operations.
-
Yes, at times.
Jim may preach or minister when invited, but is no longer the primary teacher or weekly communicator.
-
All leadership, vision, and ministry decisions flow through the Lead Pastor.