Results of the pastoral vote taken 15 February 2026
The results of the membership vote of the Penticton Church of the Nazarene:
43 ballots cast
41 YES votes
  2 NO votes
Current status of the pastoral search
The elected Board of the Penticton Church of the Nazarene has unanimously recommended that our church membership hold a Yes/No vote on extending a formal invitation to two pastoral candidates to serve as Co‑Pastors of our congregation. The church board, along with D.S. McCann have had extensive contacts and Zoom interviews with the candidates prior to moving forward and asking to present their names to the congregation.

How the search process unfolded
The Board instructed D.S. McCann to prioritize candidates in this order:
    1. Canadian Nazarene pastors 
    2. Nazarene pastors 
    3. Canadian pastors from other denominations 
    4. The best available pastor, regardless of denomination or country 
There are very few Canadian Nazarene pastoral families, and most are already serving in established ministries. D.S. McCann actively pursued Canadian candidates without success. Our previous pastoral family was also from the U.S., and their four years with us were joyful and fruitful. Among all the applications we received to this point, the recommended candidates were, in the Board’s view, the strongest fit for our church.
Because our previous pastoral family left earlier than expected due to the distance from extended family, some have understandably wondered whether it is wise to consider another family from outside Canada. The Board shares these concerns and discussed them openly with both the candidates and D.S. McCann. The candidates expressed that they have deeply missions‑oriented hearts and have already spoken with their families about the realities of distance. This is something they have prayerfully considered and accepted.
It is also worth noting that D.S. McCann was pursuing a Canadian Nazarene pastoral couple from Eastern Canada, and the same concern about distance would have applied to them as well—it would still be roughly a five‑hour flight to their closest family. Ultimately, there is never a guarantee that any pastoral family, regardless of origin, will remain as long as Pastor Allenbrand did. As an international church, it is common for pastors to serve across borders, and we believe this is the direction the Lord is leading us.

Why the Board is recommending these candidates
From the outset, the Board was impressed by both candidates depth of ministry experience and how closely they match the pastoral profile we have been seeking. Throughout the interview process, it became clear that their passion for reaching younger generations and ministering to the Unchurched aligns strongly with our church’s vision. They have served as co‑lead pastors since 2020 and bring additional experience in youth ministry and global missions. They bring a deep passion for creating spaces where people can hear from God as well as finding places for people to serve and minister as God has called them.

What a Co‑Pastor model looks like
Moving to a co-pastor model is a significant shift in church governance. A co‑pastoral team shares leadership and ministry responsibilities, determining the division of duties collaboratively and in consultation with the Board and the District Superintendent. This model does not mean paying two full salaries; rather, the role and compensation are shared between the two pastors. The pastors we are calling are both highly trained, experienced and gifted leaders who will multiply the gifting and ministry that a single minister can offer.  Each pastor will naturally connect more closely with certain individuals—shaped by personality, gender, and other factors—allowing the ministry they offer to be more focused and effective. The benefits include sustainability and burnout prevention because, as I hope we all understand, the weight of ministry is heavy. Having a peer to share the emotional and spiritual load significantly reduces the risk of burnout. It also provides diverse perspectives, as a single leader has blind spots. Co-pastors provide a "checks and balances" system for decision-making and theological interpretation. Finally it is a model of community, by leading as a team, the pastors provide a living example of the "Body of Christ" to the congregation—showing that leadership is about service, not status.

Background on the candidates and their ministry experience
They both have a Master of Divinity degree and one of the candidates is currently working toward a Phd. They have both worked at the Nazarene Global Ministry Center and have been Co-lead Pastors since 2020. They have ministerial experience with both youth and global missions prior to becoming co-lead pastors at their current church and have two sons, a three year old and a three month old.

What this means for our interim pastoral leadership
Pastor Doug and Linda are serving faithfully as our Interim Pastoral family. From the beginning, it was understood that they would provide care until a permanent pastoral family was called. Doug is a retired minister, and they maintain their home in Calgary. We deeply value the months we have shared with them, and they will always be welcome to visit. Once the new pastors are settled, Doug will step back from performing church functions (weddings, funerals, baptisms, etc.) in keeping with established protocol.

Practical considerations like visas, housing, and timelines
The candidates hope to visit in person to meet the congregation, but will not share a Sunday morning message as this is no longer normal practice. A visit may be possible after the membership vote, depending on passport timing and travel costs. Given the significant expense, the Board feels those funds may be better invested in ministry at this time. If the process continues positively, D.S. McCann and the Board will work closely with the candidates to ensure a smooth transition. Please note that timelines may be affected by Canadian work visa processing so a specific start date is impossible to know at this time. The plan is for them to move into the parsonage, which is included as part of the remuneration package.

Details about the upcoming Pastoral vote
A vote of formal church members will take place on Sunday, February 15, following the morning service. We are an incorporated church and due to existing bylaws there is not an allowance for electronic voting for members who are absent from the city or unable to attend the service when the vote is held. This will be a simple yes/no vote on the Board’s recommendation, and a minimum of a two‑thirds “yes” vote is required to move forward. If the vote passes, the prospective pastoral family will have 15 days to give their response. If they accept, the church and the new pastoral family will then work together to finalize timing and other transition details. To help the congregation get to know the candidates, we are arranging two Zoom meetings: Monday, February 9 at 7:00 p.m and Thursday, February 12 at 7:00 p.m. Here is the link if you did not receive an email: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6527878701?omn=83317872372 . We will provide the opportunity to watch the Zoom meetings in the church sanctuary, there will not be an ability to ask questions but you will be able watch and listen to the others on Zoom.
Please note: An adherent is an individual who regularly attends church services, participates in church activities, and contributes to the financial support of the church but has not gone through the process to become a formal member. This does not mean that your contributions to our church family are less valued only that according to the Manual of the Church of the Nazarene you are not permitted to vote. Your participation is encouraged and you are more than welcome to attend the vote but you may not participate in it.

Thank you
Thank you for your patience and prayers over the past months during this transition process. We believe this is where the Lord has led us. Please keep the candidates and their family in your prayers as they look to relocate and prepare to join our community. Please speak with a board member about any questions or concerns that you may have and we will answer them to the best of our ability.