Senior Pastor Search

The independent search agency evaluated hundreds of national candidates in order to identify and provide a total of seven top-tier candidates for Calvary’s search team to review. Pastor Michael’s demonstrated skills and abilities put him within this top tier of candidates. After thoroughly evaluating all top-tier candidates, our search team concluded that Pastor Michael is the most qualified and prepared to be our next senior pastor. The elders recognize that Pastor Michael is an excellent preacher and leader, and has demonstrated the skills and character that we need in a senior pastor.

The independent search agency was crucial for this process. We did not know who the Lord was calling as our senior pastor. The search agency provided access to numerous avenues that could bring our senior pastor. The search agency brought impartiality and objectivity that was important to ensure the right man is called as our senior pastor from both external and internal candidates. The search agency also arranged the congregational survey and in-person interviews which have been a factor in shaping our church’s direction and priorities for 2027 and beyond.

We are moving Michael from his role as Senior Associate Pastor of Ministries to the role of Senior Pastor. As Senior Pastor, one of Michael’s priorities will be to fill the open Cares Pastor role as quickly as the Lord provides the right man. This will relieve a significant amount of pastoral care that the other pastors and staff are currently sharing. After that, we will evaluate the best way to fill the role that Michael is vacating.

No. We do not have an age requirement to be the senior pastor. We require someone with the demonstrated skills, abilities, leadership, qualifications, character, and passion that is needed to lead our church. Pastor Michael has demonstrated these over several years.

Pastor Michael’s father (Ted Hansen), grandfather (Charlie Hansen), and father-in-law (Brian Smith) have been Elders for decades at Calvary Bible Church. The remaining elders have previously reduced the roles, decisions, and policies that Ted, Charlie, and Brian are involved with in order to avoid any potential conflicts of interest as Pastor Michael has assumed more responsibilities at Calvary. Going forward with Michael in the senior pastor role, the remaining elders will further reduce the roles that Ted, Charlie, and Brian have at Calvary so they are not contributing to the decisions and policies that Pastor Michael and the elders make. The elders have also excluded Ted, Charlie, and Brian from all elder discussions and decisions regarding Pastor Michael’s roles, responsibilities, and evaluations.