senior pastor search

After 20 years of faithful service, Pastor Brian Doten announced that he will be stepping down as Senior Pastor at Northwood to make room for Northwood’s next season of leadership. We are deeply grateful for the many ways God has used Pastor Brian to shepherd, teach, and lead our church, and we look ahead with hope and anticipation for all that God has in store for Northwood’s future. With prayerful trust, Northwood has begun the search for its next Senior Pastor, seeking God’s direction in raising up the leader who will guide the church into its next chapter.

Senior Pastor Opportunity Profile

Northwood Church, in partnership with NL Moore & Associates, has developed an Opportunity Profile to guide our senior pastor search. This document is the product of surveys, assessments, and focus groups, offering a clear picture of who we’ve been, where we’re headed, and the kind of leader we seek for the future. It captures our church’s story, values, and vision in this season of transition.

Opportunity Profile

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Northwood Church Resignation Letter

January 15, 2025

Dear Northwood friend,

Pastoring Northwood Church since February 2005 has been one of the greatest joys of my life.  To lead, shepherd and serve the Lord at Northwood has been fulfilling and meaningful, and I’m grateful for the privilege I’ve had to be senior pastor the past 20+ years.  Kris and I love Northwood Church, her people, her mission, her life, her history, her legacy … and you.  We love you!

More than a year ago I initiated a conversation with Northwood’s Leadership Team about my desire to step down from being Senior Pastor at Northwood, at an appropriate time in the future when it made sense for Northwood and for the Doten’s.  Over the past couple months, the Leadership Team and I have decided I will step down from my Senior Pastor role on January 31, 2026 – one year from now.

My reasons for stepping down are many – Northwood is in a good, healthy season of ministry and life.  We’ve been in our new building 16 months now, ministries are growing, new people are finding a spiritual home at Northwood, our staff is full and cohesive, finances are strong – God is blessing Northwood!!  So, why step down now?  Well, I believe it’s time to allow another leader – a younger leader – to serve as Northwood’s Senior Pastor.  Kris and I have served Northwood for 20+ years and my hope and prayer has always been to conclude my time when ministry is thriving, the church is healthy, and God is blessing.  That describes Northwood Church now!

So, what’s next?  I’m pleased to tell you Northwood has a plan and experienced partner to help her find her next senior pastor.  Following prayer, several meetings, and seeking counsel from other churches going through senior pastor transitions, Northwood has decided to work with NL Moore and Associates, an experienced consulting group that specializes in helping churches like ours work through this important season with confidence and unity. 

Personally, I’m thrilled about Northwood working with Nancy Moore and her colleagues.  Nancy loves the church, is godly, gifted, wise and has worked with churches we know.  Nancy will lead Northwood in a rigorous process that will invite you to give personal input in late February and early March.  Stay tuned for more information coming later about all this.  And, if you have questions, please contact Chris Moore, Northwood Church Chairperson, at c-moore@bethel.edu

What about Kris and me?  We have peace about this decision we have made.  We also don’t fully know yet what our future will be – but we are trusting God for our future, just like we have done throughout our 40 years of marriage and my 43 years in ministry.  As we sing on Sunday mornings, “All my life He has been faithful, all my life He has been so, so good. I will sing of the goodness of God.” So true!!

We do know, though, that until I step down in January 2026, we will continue to give our fullest and best effort to Northwood because we love Jesus, and we love his church – Northwood Church.  I’ve completed the 2025 Preaching Schedule and will preach through Philippians beginning in February and then go through 1 and 2 Peter the rest of the year leading up to Advent.  And Kris and I will also be making a significant, sacrificial gift to the “Immeasurably More” Capital Campaign that launches January 26 with one service at 10:30 a.m. and free lunch that follows (please sign up online and come!).  Bottom line – Kris and I will continue to serve, shepherd and love the people of Northwood as God gives us strength to do so.

Thank you for allowing me to be your pastor these past 20+ years.  I’m convinced and full of faith that the best days for Northwood are still to come, and I invite you to pray for Northwood every day as we go through this season of transition.  Pray for wisdom for all involved and for God’s leading … and for Northwood’s next Senior Pastor. 

Becoming.  Like Jesus.  Together.,

Brian Doten

Senior Pastor

Northwood Church

Dear Northwood family,

On behalf of the Senior Pastor Calling Team, I want to thank you for your support in approving our team members. The thoughtful consideration that went into this selection process is evident, and I believe God has clearly guided each step of the way.

I’d like to formally introduce myself as your Communications Coordinator for the Senior Pastor Calling Team. Hi! I’m Josiah, and you can read my bio along with the rest of our team members in the attachment below. Part of my role is to provide you with regular updates on our search process, which brings me to the purpose of this email.

Our First Meeting

Last Thursday, our team held its first meeting. We had the opportunity to meet with Tim West from NL Moore, connect as a team, establish expectations and general timelines for the work ahead, and spend time in prayer together. When each team member was asked to share how they felt about serving on the team, one word emerged consistently: “weight.” While we’re deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve our church, we all recognize the profound weight that comes with seeking Northwood’s next pastor. Despite the pressure we feel, our meeting concluded with a shared sense of peace and assurance that the same God who has been faithful to Northwood for over 20 years will continue to guide His church in the season ahead.

What’s Next

Our next meeting is scheduled for the 17th, during which we’ll align on our candidate search approach and review the candidate profile and job description documents. We’re committed to providing you with consistent, relevant updates throughout this process and we will also be working on a communications plan which we will share with you in the next month.

Your Role in This Journey

As the Senior Pastor Calling Team steps into its role, I’d like to invite the congregation to embrace its own role as well:

First, keep cultivating the kind of culture and community where our new senior pastor can flourish—resting in the promise of the gospel and becoming like Jesus together. As we embrace this process of resting and becoming, we create the kind of transformed community where pastoral leadership can thrive.

Second, pray without ceasing. Pray for our team as we navigate this process. Pray for the candidates we’ll interact with. Most importantly, pray that God’s will would be accomplished and that He would be glorified in all things as we look toward Northwood’s future.

“whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 4:11 (ESV)

Hello church family,

Thank you for your continued prayers and support as the Senior Pastor Calling Team (SPCT) diligently seeks our next Senior Pastor. Since our last update, we held another meeting and I’m glad to share some progress with you.

Recruiting Approach
The SPCT reviewed three potential approaches for the search:

  1. Focus on internal pastoral candidates first.

  2. Launch an all-inclusive search from the start.

  3. Begin internally and then expand externally.

After careful consideration, the SPCT voted overwhelmingly for Option 1: focusing our search on internal pastoral candidates. This means that in the coming months, the SPCT will consider only internal candidates for the Senior Pastor role at Northwood. We believe this is a clear sign of God’s goodness to Northwood. He has raised up leaders within our own church family who have been faithfully serving, carrying responsibilities with humility, and demonstrating a deep love for Christ and His people. This internal search is open to all Northwood members. If you are interested in applying, please see the instructions on the last page of the attached Opportunity Profile and submit application materials to our recruiting partner, NL Moore, by September 7.

Candidate & Opportunity Profiles
Together with NL Moore, we finalized two important documents that will guide the search: the Candidate Profile (an internal document for alignment) and the Opportunity Profile (a candidate-facing overview). These resources capture Northwood’s identity, our hopes for the future, and the qualities we’re seeking in our next Senior Pastor. Please refer to the attached Opportunity Profile for more details.

Next Steps
With our recruitment approach chosen and both documents finalized, the search process is taking clear shape. The SPCT will continue meeting next week to keep building momentum.

How You Can Pray
Take a moment to thank God for blessing Northwood with leaders who have already been faithfully preparing for this moment. Pray for wisdom and unity for the SPCT and Leadership Team as they discern next steps. Ask God to speak clearly to those who may be considering applying. Pray that the Candidate and Opportunity Profiles would serve as useful tools in guiding conversations. And most of all, ask the Lord to prepare the hearts of Northwooders to joyfully and graciously receive the next Senior Pastor He has chosen.

Senior pastor Calling team (SPCT) Members

Tawnya Fiedler

Senior Pastor Calling Team Chairperson

Tawnya Fiedler and her husband, Tim, have been part of Northwood for 25 years and helped launch the church as part of its founding small group. They live in St. Michael and have two adult sons, Jack and Ben. Tawnya is a Vice President in Information Technology at Xcel Energy and has served on the Leadership Team, Connections Team, Mountain Movers, and in multiple pastoral searches. She is grateful for how Northwood has shaped her faith and is honored to serve on the Senior Pastor Calling Team in this new season.

Chris Moore

Chris Moore and his wife, Stacy, have been part of Northwood since 2010, along with their children, Sabrina and Tommy. He teaches political science at Bethel University and has served at Northwood on the Leadership Team, NSL, Creative Elements, Kids Life, and a decade with the Setup Team. As Chair of the Leadership Team, he is honored to serve on the Senior Pastor Calling Team and is praying for God’s continued blessing on Northwood in this exciting season.

Deanne Lucas

Deanne Lucas has called Northwood home since 2015, where she and her husband, Eric, are raising their grandson, Casyn, alongside their blended family of three adult children. She works at Wells Fargo and previously served with a Christian nonprofit, an experience that deepened her passion for ministry and Christ-centered leadership. At Northwood, Deanne has served in Connections for nearly a decade and in Children’s Ministry for four years. She is honored to serve on the Senior Pastor Calling Team and is committed to helping discern God’s direction for Northwood’s future.

Dee Latterell

DeAnne Latterell has been part of Northwood for 20 years and lives in Maple Grove with her husband, Mike. She runs her own interior design business, Designs by D, and helped design Northwood’s new church building. Over the years, she has served on the Leadership Team, as a youth leader, Connections Team Leader, and in Women’s Ministry, Alpha, Mountain Movers, and small groups. DeAnne counts Northwood as family and is honored to serve on the Senior Pastor Calling Team to help guide the church faithfully into its next season.

Elias Agbazahou

Elias Agbazahou has been part of Northwood since 2008 and lives in Maple Grove with his wife, Lumi, and their three daughters, Eliana, Leona, and Anna. He works as a Senior Business Analyst and Project Lead for the State of Minnesota, with prior experience in finance and nearly a decade in IT. At Northwood, Elias has served on the Visual Arts and Worship Teams and currently leads the Small Group Ministry Team. He is honored to serve on the Senior Pastor Calling Team and is committed to helping discern the right leader for Northwood’s future.

Josiah Van De Steeg

Josiah Van De Steeg and his wife, Alyssa, live in Big Lake with their three boys, Noah, Vincent, and Lewis, and have attended Northwood for five years. He works as a Motion Designer at a creative agency in Minneapolis and is often found with his family enjoying time outdoors. At Northwood, Josiah has served as an NSL volunteer leader, VBS Crew Leader, on the Youth Pastor Search Team, and as designer for the Immeasurably More Campaign. Grateful for the role Northwood has played in his family’s life, he is honored to serve on the Senior Pastor Calling Team and prayerfully seek God’s direction for the church’s future.

McKinzie Loscheider

McKinzie Loscheider and her husband, Austin, live in Coon Rapids and have attended Northwood for three years. She works as a Human Resources Manager at BAE Systems and enjoys spending time outdoors with Austin and their two dogs, Ava and Tuk. At Northwood, McKinzie is active in Prayer Ministry, Mountain Movers, and Small Groups, and has also served in Connections, Kids Life, VBS, and Outreach. She is honored to bring her gifts in HR to the Senior Pastor Calling Team and is prayerfully committed to helping guide Northwood into its next season of ministry.

Tawnya
Fiedler

Chris
Moore

Deanne
Lucas

Dee
Latterell

Elias
Agbazahou

Josiah
Van De Steeg

Learn More

McKinzie
Loscheider

Learn More
Download SPCT Bios

HOW YOU CAN PRAY

As our church moves through this season of discernment, the Senior Pastor Calling Team is committed to seeking God’s wisdom, listening well, and walking together in unity. Every step of this journey—from initial conversations to final decisions—needs to be covered in prayer. We believe that when the whole church prays, we invite God to lead not just the outcome, but the process itself. Prayer anchors us in trust, protects our unity, and opens our hearts to God’s timing and voice.

We invite you—whether you’re a church member or attender, or simply visiting this page—to join us in prayer. Your prayers matter. They shape the posture of our hearts, the clarity of our decisions, and the unity of our church family. Below you’ll find a Scripture focus, a short reflection, and specific prayer prompts. These are meant to guide your intercession and encourage your faith as we wait, listen, and trust together.

Thank you for praying with us!

Scripture Focus:
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives generously to all without
finding fault, and it will be given to him.” — James 1:5
—
Reflection: Wisdom in the Waiting
James 1:5 reminds us that wisdom is not a reward for having it all together—it’s a gift for
those humble enough to ask. And sometimes, the most courageous thing we can do is
wait. Wait for clarity. Wait for peace. Wait for God to speak.

We’re inviting God to shape our discernment. And in the waiting, we ask again: Lord,
give us wisdom. Not just for decisions, but for relationships. Not just for clarity, but for
compassion. Not just for outcomes, but for obedience.
—

Prayer Prompts

For the Search Team
– That each member would remain spiritually grounded and relationally gracious
– That the waiting would be filled with trust, not tension
– That wisdom would shape both the process and the posture of the team
– That unity would be protected as anticipation builds 

For the Candidates
– That each candidate would feel covered in prayer and free from anxiety
– That internal candidates would be able to serve faithfully while discerning wisely
– That God would affirm or redirect each one according to His will
– That peace would surround their families and ministries

For NL Moore
– That their analysis would be clear, fair, and spiritually insightful
– That their team would be protected from burnout or bias
– That their communication would foster trust and clarity

For Pastor Brian / Church Body
– That Pastor Brian would experience peace and affirmation in this season
– That unity would be preserved across ministries, leadership teams, and members

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Ideally, the transition from Pastor Brian to our next Senior Pastor will be a seamless one. At the same time, we are trusting God to lead us through this process in his ways and his timing. We will not rush the process, but we are anxious to present Northwood’s next senior pastor to you as quickly as we are able.

If a new senior pastor is not selected before Pastor Brian steps down at the end of January, an interim pastor will serve during the transition.

Northwood is currently pursuing only internal candidates for the senior pastor role at this time. If necessary, we are prepared to expand the search to a national search.

The SPCT will select a candidate to present to the congregation. Members of Northwood church will then have the opportunity to vote, with a minimum of 75% approval required to confirm the new pastor.

The SPCT is committed to keeping the congregation informed throughout the search process. Northwood members will receive periodic email updates, announcements will be shared during services, and all updates will also be posted in the “Search Updates section of this Senior Pastor Search page.

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS?

If you have any questions regarding the pastoral search, please email: SeniorPastorCallingTeam@Northwood.cc