LEADERSHIP TRANSITION
SUNDAY MARCH 3

Join us on Sunday, March 3rd for Transition Sunday. We will take time to celebrate the leadership and faithful servanthood of Pastor Steve & Tina, who led RLC for nearly 26 years. and then we will set in Taylor & Noelle as our new Lead Pastors!

Sunday Morning  |  9AM & 11AM

Pastor Steve's Final Sermon as Lead pastor


Sunday Evening  |  5PM
Setting In Service

*childcare is provided for both morning & evening

*light refreshments will follow the 5pm

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A little over twenty-five years ago, Real Life Church began with a handful of people in the living room of Pastor Steve and Tina. It almost didn't happen, but on a word from God they said yes. Now here we are, 25 years later.

As we celebrate 25 years, we're not just remembering the many former "yeses," but continuing that same posture as we look forward. It's in that spirit that we're pleased to announce that Pastor Steve will be passing the baton of leading RLC to Taylor & Noelle Murray in March 2024.

Check back frequently as we will continue to update this page.


Scroll below for more info, FAQ's and more.




PASTOR STEVE & TINA

Pastor Steve and Tina have been faithfully serving the local church for over 40 years, of which includes 25 years of faithful service to Real Life Church.

In March of 2024, they will complete the transition out of the Lead Pastor role and into a new role. Pastor Steve will continue to work here on our team, focusing on local missions, partnerships, pastoral care and more. Though they may be changing the "seat" that they're sitting in, they are remaining on the "bus," continuing to forward the mission of RLC under the leadership of Pastors Taylor & Noelle.

We are excited and faith-filled as we look ahead.

For more info, scroll below to see FAQ's or to submit your own questions.

TAYLOR & NOELLE

Taylor & Noelle grew up at Real Life Church, first meeting in the youth ministry. They were on the youth worship team together, led together and eventually attended Portland Bible College together. Both products of this house, they grew to love the local church and have given their lives to it.

After spending over 13 years in youth ministry, Taylor & Noelle are stepping in as Lead Pastors at the right time - for their family, in their leadership journey, and for this season of our church. We believe they are here for such a time as this, and we are excited to see all that God does in the season ahead.

Taylor will focus on preaching, teaching, leading our staff and casting vision. Noelle will remain on staff as the Worship Pastor, as well as occasionally preaching on Sundays.

For more info, scroll below to see FAQ's or to submit your own questions.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Click the button below to offer a word of encouragement, a comment or a question you don't see answered below.

Some questions will be updated on this website, while others will be answered over the next 10 months on Sundays and beyond.

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  • We're excited - and we also know that change is, well... change. As a part of our church family, your role is so important. Here's how you can help.

    1. PRAY

    Pray for clarity, unity, financial provision, peace, moments of joy and confirmation, and for the leadership of the Holy Spirit every step of the way. Pray for a grace upon Taylor and Noelle as they enter this new season, and for Pastor Steve and Tina as they enter their next season.


    2. BE A BUILDER

    Be an encourager, a speaker of life and a champion of the mission God has called us to. The mission isn't changing - in fact, this transition is at the core OF the mission to see names we've never heard and faces we've never seen connected to the realness of God.

    3. GET ACTIVATED

    The church continues to fulfill its mission when each member does their part. If RLC is your home, we're asking you to attend regularly, serve, and give financially. If you're already doing these things, thank you! If you're not, this is a great time to start!


    4. INVITE A FRIEND

    A season of change is a great time to invite a friend, neighbor, coworker or classmate to church. Let's see the Kingdom of God continue to advance in our region by reaching new people with the Good News about Jesus.

  • We know that transitioning a church to new leadership is a big deal, which is why we've been working this process for a long time. God began to lead Pastor Steve in the direction of handing the church off to Taylor & Noelle many years ago. In the last couple of years, in step with this process, Taylor & Noelle began to hand off the youth ministry and take on more teaching and leadership. Taylor has been serving as an associate for 5 years, and as executive pastor for 2 years. Through this season, with much prayer, and with the guidance of and confirmation from our Board, it has been confirmed to be the right season for this transition.

  • Pastor Steve has been leading faithfully for over 25 years, and has been sensing a shift for some time. In addition to that shift, Pastor Taylor and Noelle were feeling a shift as well.

    It has become more and more evident that Taylor's prophetic teaching and preaching voice is primed for this season and culture. He and Noelle have a unique ability to relate to young and old with Biblical truths that are both for today and transcend our current cultural moment.

  • Pastor Steve is not retiring. Rather, he's shifting roles from Lead Pastor to a Founding Pastor role. Upon completing the transition in March, he and Tina will take a sabbatical to rest and travel. After their sabbatical, Pastor Steve will remain on our staff, focusing the majority of his time working on different projects and ministries. These may include (but are not limited to) pastoral care, missions locally & beyond, developing our outdoor program for Real Kids Learning Center and serving as part of our teaching rotation.

  • Taylor & Noelle are both active in ministry and plan to lead together actively as Lead Pastors. Taylor will carry the primary load of preaching, leading staff and casting vision. Both serve on our board and will continue to.

  • You can expect a few things:

    - We will continue gathering to worship Jesus and preach God's word

    - We will continue to love and serve our community through various programs, partnerships & The Storehouse (foodbank)

    - We will continue to build strong kids, youth, young adults ministries, in efforts to build strong families and remain a place for every generation

    - God will continue to build His Church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it

  • Noelle is remaining the Worship Pastor, and her primary time and focus will be in the area of worship, music and training up new musicians, singers and worship leaders. As time goes on and as her kids grow older, her role may expand to include other things.

  • Our hope is that we can not only keep our staff, but add staff in order to continue to meet the growing needs of our congregation and community. This won't happen apart from God's faithfulness, and the financial generosity of all those who call RLC home.

    Taylor is currently leading our staff, and will continue to do so beyond the leadership transition. Much of the other responsibilities will be distributed to other staff as necessary. As the process moves forward, other hires may be necessary (i.e. executive pastor, etc)

  • Our Eldership has and will continue to guide this process. Beyond our board, there are multiple outside coaches, HR consultants, mentors and cohorts that are contributing to a healthy, well-rounded process that sets us up for health in the future.