January 1, 2012

Dear Church Family,

My name is Ralph Schell, and I am the Chairman of the General Board of First Christian Church.  I have had the privilege of being your Chairman a few times through the years, but I cannot think of another time in which I have directed a note to the congregation, but given the announcement of this Sunday (January 1, 2012), these are not ordinary times.  Pastor Clete announced that he will be leaving his ministry at First Christian Church at the end of this year, 2012.  Even with the announcement of his departure at the end of 2012, Pastor Clete has again blessed us with the ability of seeking the next Senior Pastor without interruption of leadership and teaching.  What a blessing!

I am amazed at how blessed we are as a Church…wonderful people, pastors, teachers, and facilities. In our 100 plus years here in the Santa Maria Valley, for the past 55 years, we have been led by only two Senior Pastors: Chuck Gibbs and Clete Doyal.  What a legacy!

A few months back, I had the opportunity to sit in on a leadership conference led by David Kraft of Mars Hill Church.  He shared with the group a word picture on leadership, and the relationships between Man & God, that I would like to share with you.  He said that they can be looked at three different ways:

a. It can be like a motorboat.  It is self-powered, and so it can go wherever the skipper (man) wants it to go.  (Downfall, Skipper is in full control and has no need of God.  It is also possible to run out of gas.)

b. It can be like a raft.  It is controlled completely by the wind and currents (God).  (Down fall, the passenger (man) is not participating in God’s plan- just along for the ride).

c.  It can be like a sail boat.  This is a partnership between the skipper (man) using the sails & rudder and the wind as the power source (God).

I get a sense that the wind is up, and the currents are moving.  With the blessing of having Pastor Clete remain with us thru 2012, we can insure that the new Senior Pastor, whoever that may be, will have the ability of being shown the ropes and have his hand set to the wheel from a voice of experience.

I have no doubt that God is in control and He has a plan for First Christian Church.  We have challenges ahead of us, but I believe we are up for the challenge and I am excited to see what God has planned for us in the next 100 years.

May God bless Clete and Bonnie. I trust that as they remain in His hands, God will have nothing but good things in store for them.

Please take a moment and read the attached bio on Clete and his ministry at First Christian Church.

In His Service,

Ralph Schell
Chairman of the General Board
First Christian Church, Santa Maria

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Pastor Clete announces his departure
from First Christian Church

After 33 years of ministry at First Christian, Clete Doyal will be stepping down.  He and the general board have reached an agreement retiring him from service at the end of 2012.

Pastor Clete started at First Christian in January 1980. He fondly remembers his oldest daughter being 9 months old when moving to Santa Maria from Bakersfield.  In 1988, he became the Senior Pastor.

He’s seen a great many changes over the years, including the changing of facilities from East Street in Santa Maria to our current facilities at 1550 College Drive.  However, it’s the people that touch him the deepest.  “First Christian is not a place or structure,” he states, “It’s the wonderful people that comprise this church that make it great.”  Pastor Clete is known for his humor and approachability.  Authenticity is at the center of his theology.  He reminds others: “There’s no way to come to Christ unless you’re absolutely honest about yourself.”

People are at the center of his ministry and life.  While discussing the upcoming change, he reminisces about the people he’s had the privilege of working with, such as Brian Mulder, Stefan Youngblood, Debra Laflin, Julie Verner, Michelle Gentry, Mark Thompson, Guy Fox, and Aaron Carlberg.  “I’ve been a very fortunate man,” he states.

He’s so thankful for his family being understanding and supportive of his ministry throughout his career, and especially allowing him (whether they like it or not) to use them as sermon illustrations.  He considers himself indebted to Jackie Brigham, his faithful secretary for the last 14 years.  “She’s literally kept me going” he states, “not only as a secretary, but a dear friend and fellow minister.”

As most church people know, Pastor Clete has always been a fanatic when it comes to Christmas.  He insists on trees and carols, sometimes starting a bit early for most people's taste.  He declares that the department stores have nothing on him.  He’s getting ready in September for the most sacred of seasons.

His and Bonnie’s future plans are unclear at this time.  They would like to stay in Santa Maria to stay near Cooper, their third grandchild.  Pastor Clete will be preaching at First Christian until a Senior Pastor is hired. At that time, he’ll become an assistant to the new pastor.  He’ll be doing whatever he can to insure a smooth transition and continued success for First Christian.  There is a retirement dinner being planned for him at the end of the year.