Pastoral Transition
Updates and information on staff transition at Prince of Peace.

May 29 Update from Congregational President, Deborah Cordes
Clarity, Request, and Patience
It’s me again. Time marches on and it’s only two weeks until our Intentional Interim Lead Pastor Steve joins us. His tasks include not only the day-to-day work that a lead pastor does, but he is also ready and able to work with us through transition. I am excited for that day – June 15.
During this time, Prince of Peace is still marching forward to define and confirm who we are and what we need in a new pastor. Here’s where the clarity mentioned above comes in.
CLARITY: There has been some confusion about Michael Stetzler’s roles. He has TWO distinct roles that are unique to Prince of Peace.
- Transition Team (MSET aka Mission Site Exploration Team) leader. His role as leader is to create an effective team to aid in answering the two questions above: a. Who are we and b. What do we need in a new lead pastor (more about this below).
- Sacred Settlement Development Team lead. His role is to aid in developing the longer-term funding sources and determine whether PoP should expand to 6 tiny homes as a part of our Sacred Settlement.
There has been some confusion expressed on these two separate roles. Some wonder whether the Transition Team was created to further the Sacred Settlement’s agenda. This is not so.
They are distinct with ONE exception. In order for Michael to complete outside, social grant requests, he needs to ensure clarity in our Mission and Vision. The first two listening sessions included questions about the Sacred Settlement for this purpose.
Moving forward, all work done by the Mission Site Exploration Team (MSET) is focused on developing the written document (Mission Site Profile) that defines who we are and what we need in a pastor. PLEASE DON’ T CONFUSE the two roles.
Prince of Peace needs your help. The Mission Site Exploration Team (MSET) needs to represent as many active PoP groups as possible including children, youth, senior, musicians, worship, women, men, lawn dawgs, property management, counters, financial people, sacred settlement, long time members, new members and even prospective members. If you wish to help create the future at Prince of Peace, please volunteer. You can reach out to either Michael or me.
Pastor Steve Sylvester will be involved in forming this team, which will likely be 6-8 members balanced across all groups. The team will be selected and begin meeting in early July. Please don’t be offended if you are not selected for this part of our transition. We recognize your volunteerism, and there will be other opportunities to add your vopice to this process.
Last, please stay with us and be patient! There is research to be completed, listening sessions and one-on-one meetings that will be scheduled, the Mission Site Profile draft to write, review and edit and a Call Committee to be established.
Lastly, please consider helping us financially as we near the end of the fiscal year. The cost of changing pastors is an unanticipated increase. Any help you are able to provide is greatly appreciated.
-Deborah Cordes, Prince of Peace Congregation Council President
Previously…
April 7, 2025 Update
Dear Friends in Christ, God is up to something wonderful at Prince of Peace. Sometimes God makes us comfortable in the change/growth. Sometimes it feels “OK God, NOW what!?! It’s been almost a month since Peter made his announcement. For some, it seems like all this...
Pastoral Transitions
It has been announced to the congregation that Prince of Peace's Lead Pastor, Peter Christ, has accepted a new call and Debbie Jorgens will be retiring from her role as Director of Visitation & Congregation Care. Pastor Peter's last Sunday will be the week...