Senior Pastor Succession Updates

Continuing the Journey (January 2026)

As Riverside Church continues forward in this important season of transition, we are grateful for the steady and faithful way God has guided every step of the Senior Pastor search process so far.

We are pleased to share that we have now entered the next phase of the search. In partnership with NL Moore & Associates, our search firm, we have begun first-round video interviews with several pastoral candidates who were carefully identified and vetted through their nationwide search. These candidates reflect strong alignment with Riverside’s mission, values, theology, and ministry context, and we are encouraged by both the quality of candidates and the strength of our partnership with NL Moore.

Throughout the month of January, the Elders will continue conducting video interviews. Following these conversations, the pool of candidates will be prayerfully narrowed as we seek clarity on those whom God may be calling to serve as Riverside’s next Senior Pastor.

Looking Ahead in the Process

As the search progresses, the anticipated remaining steps include:

• Completion of first-round video interviews
• Prayerful narrowing of the candidate pool
• More in-depth interviews with finalists
• On-site visits with select candidates involving Elders, staff, and key leaders
• A finalist candidating weekend, where the congregation will have the opportunity to meet the candidate and hear them preach

Each phase is being approached with intentional prayer, discernment, and patience, trusting God’s timing and leading rather than rushing the process.

How You Can Be Praying With Us

This season continues to be a deeply spiritual journey for our entire church family. We invite you to partner with us in prayer in these specific ways:

1. Pray for whomever the next Senior Pastor will be
   Ask God to prepare his heart, family, and calling—even now—for Riverside Church. Pray that he would be clearly guided, deeply rooted in Christ, and ready to shepherd our church with humility, courage, and love.
2. Pray for the Elders
   Pray for wisdom, unity, discernment, and spiritual clarity as they conduct interviews and make recommendations. Ask God to guard their hearts, align their perspectives, and help them clearly recognize His leading.
3. Pray for our staff
   Pray for encouragement, peace, and strength as they faithfully carry the day-to-day ministry of Riverside during this season. Ask God to protect unity, sustain joy, and affirm the calling each staff member has to serve His church.
4. Pray for Pastor Tom and Gwen
   Give thanks for their faithful years of ministry and pray for continued grace, wisdom, and peace as they walk through this transition. Ask God to bless them, guide their future plans, and surround them with encouragement and rest.
5. Pray for our entire congregation
   Pray that Riverside would remain united, patient, trusting, and expectant. Ask God to deepen our faith, strengthen our love for one another, and keep our focus on His mission as we move forward together.

Trusting God With What Comes Next

We remain confident that the same God who has faithfully led Riverside Church for generations is fully at work in this process today. We trust Him to oversee every conversation, every decision, and every step ahead—and to bless Riverside with the leader He has already chosen for the next chapter of our church’s story.

Thank you for your prayers, your trust, and your continued faithfulness as we walk this journey together.

“The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.” — Psalm 37:23

 Brad Long
On Behalf of the Board of Elders

Frequently Asked Questions

Continuing the Journey

As we shared in our first update, Riverside Church is in a special season of transition as we seek the next Senior Pastor who will lead us into the future God has prepared. Over the past several months, the Elders and our partners at NL Moore & Associates have completed foundational work that set the stage for the active search phase now underway.

With the approved Candidate & Opportunity Profiles in place, NL Moore is now conducting a nationwide search for candidates. They are reaching out through their extensive ministry networks, prayerfully identifying and assessing pastors who may be a strong fit for Riverside’s unique calling and culture. We are deeply encouraged by the careful and Spirit-led approach guiding every step of this journey.

What’s Next

In early January, NL Moore will present a pool of qualified candidates to our Search Team. From there, we will begin first-round video interviews, designed to help us get to know the candidates and sense potential alignment with Riverside’s mission, values, and ministry context.

Following the video interviews, we anticipate on-site interviews with up to three candidates. These visits will allow for in-person conversations with Elders, staff, and select ministry leaders. After prayerful discernment, one or two finalists may be invited back for a finalist site visit and ultimately a candidating weekend, where the congregation will have the opportunity to meet the candidate and hear them preach.

Throughout this process, our goal remains the same: to discern, with clarity and unity, the individual God is calling to lead Riverside Church into its next season of ministry.

How You Can Be Involved

Your prayers continue to be the most important part of this process. Please pray:

• That God would clearly guide the search firm and the candidates they contact.
• For wisdom and unity for our Search Team and Elders as they begin interviews in the new year.
• For the pastors being considered, that they would be sensitive to God’s leading and at peace about their place in His plan.
• For our staff and congregation to continue walking in faith and trust through this transition.

We are grateful for your encouragement, patience, and prayer as we follow God’s leading step by step. The same God who has faithfully shepherded Riverside through every season will continue to provide everything we need in a new leader. We look forward to sharing another update with you in early 2026 as the interview process unfolds.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” — Proverbs 3:5–6

A Season of Transition

After 22 years of faithful leadership, our treasured Senior Pastor, Tom Lundeen, has prayerfully decided to transition from his role as Senior Pastor, effective in the summer of 2026. This decision comes as a natural and positive step in his remarkable season of life and ministry. Since joining Riverside Church in 2003, Pastor Tom has led with vision, dedication, and a heart for Jesus, guiding our church through incredible growth and transformation. His leadership has been a profound blessing, and we celebrate his legacy as we look forward to God’s continued work in the communities we serve.

Pastor Tom’s decision reflects his deep commitment to ensuring Riverside Church thrives under new leadership. After a robust study of pastoral succession by the Elders and Pastor Tom, and seeking God’s guidance, the Elder Board believes now is the right time to pass the baton to a new Senior Pastor who can envision and lead Riverside into the next season of ministry. This transition is not an end but a beautiful continuation of God’s plan for our church.

Confident in God’s Provision

We are confident that God, Who has faithfully guided Riverside Church for decades, has already prepared the next Senior Pastor to lead us forward. The Elder Board, in partnership with N.L. Moore & Associates, a trusted consulting group specializing in pastoral transitions, is diligently working on a thoughtful and prayerful process to identify the right leader, ensuring an objective and Spirit-led selection.

As a congregation, we trust in God's perfect timing and provision. The Elders, who are authorized by our Christian & Missionary Alliance (C&MA) Constitution to call the next Senior Pastor, are committed to seeking the Lord’s direction every step of the way. We are excited about the future and believe that God will bring a leader who will continue to advance His mission at Riverside.

Your Role: Participate in Prayer

This transition is a spiritual journey for our entire Riverside family, and your prayers are vital. We invite you to join us in praying for wisdom, unity, and clarity as we seek God’s will for our next Senior Pastor. Pray for Pastor Tom and Gwen as they discern their next steps, for the Elder Board as they lead this process, and for the future leader God is preparing for us. In the meantime, Pastor Tom will continue to serve faithfully, preaching God’s Word and leading us with the same passion and commitment. Let’s unite in prayer and support to make this transition a powerful testimony of God’s faithfulness.

Looking Ahead

We will regularly inform you as we make our way through this transition process by posting updates here with important milestones. Thank you for being part of Riverside Church. Together, let’s seek God’s guidance and celebrate the exciting future He has in store for us!