DR. DALE V. SALICO RESIGNS - Please read the two letters below:
January 27, 2010
Dear Pastor and Church Family,
Greetings in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ!
The Executive Committee of Transformation Ministries regretfully accepted the resignation of Dr. Dale V. Salico as Mission Lead. Dale’s continuing health issues over the past nine (9) months have compelled him to step down, effective February 28, 2010.
The Executive Committee affirmed Dr. Ross Chenot’s continuance in serving as Acting Mission Lead for the interim. A Search Committee is in the process of being formed, and I will be contacting nominees in the very near future.
The Committee directed the staff to move forward with the vision, mission and core values of our strategic plan, including the search and hiring of a Church Planting Lead.
One of our core values is God-dependent; we are a people of prayer, obedience, faith and risk. I encourage us to look forward to the future God is calling Transformation Ministries with hope and optimism.
Sincerely,
Neil E. Frey
President
Board of Directors
Transformation Ministries
January 17, 2010
Dr. Neil Frey, President
Transformation Ministries
970 S. Village Oaks Drive
Covina, CA 91724
Dear Dr. Frey,
For the past twelve years it has been my great privilege to serve as the Executive Minister (now Mission Lead) of Transformation Ministries. Serving our Lord Jesus Christ and our Covenanting Churches in this capacity has given me wonderful opportunities to learn and, by the grace of God, to encourage and guide pastors, church leaders and congregations. It has been my constant goal to deepen the faith and unity in the gospel throughout this movement of churches, and to lift the vision to bring the good news of Christ with integrity, love and joy to a needy world.
After much prayer, seeking the guidance of God and the counsel of family, physicians, and colleagues, I have concluded that the time has come for me to step down from the position of Transformation Ministries Mission Lead. As we follow the vision the Lord has given, Transformation Ministries needs strong and energetic leadership. My current health simply does not give me the stamina to effectively carry out the responsibilities of my office. This denies Transformation Ministries the leadership it needs in these important days. At the same time, I have realized that continuing to carry the concerns and aspirations I have for our churches and ministries prevents me from having the rest of mind and body I need for healing.
For the past nine months, I have struggled to carry out this ministry with the consistency and strength it requires. During this period, it has been my hope to fully resume my responsibilities and complete this third term of leadership. The Board of Directors and Staff have been very encouraging and gracious throughout this period. Repeatedly, the Staff completed not only their own duties but many of mine as well, maintaining our ministries and guiding Transformation Ministries through a thorough assessment, strategic planning and organizational realignment. I have been blessed over and over again by the faithfulness and support of so many wonderful colleagues and dear friends.
Several friends and colleagues have raised concerns regarding possible damage to Transformation Ministries that might result from my stepping down as mission lead. First, there is a concern that some may view my resignation as my disapproval of the new vision. Those who attended the Transforming Churches Conference in October heard my passion for the new vision. But for the sake of those who were not present, I repeat now in writing what I have many times said verbally: I believe the vision of Transformation Ministries was given to our leadership team by God. I fully support it. If I had my way, I would joyfully and energetically lead it. In the providence of God, however, this has not been granted—at least not as of this writing. I accept the Lord’s will, and will watch for Him to reveal some way that I may still assist TM in carrying out our mission.
A second concern is that my resignation at this critical time would destroy the strategic plan this ministry has adopted. I respectfully disagree. The vision of a God-empowered movement of churches—every pastor growing; every church healthy; every community transformed for Christ, did not originate with me. I did not seek or discern this vision alone. The vision came through the Holy Spirit to the leadership team that was appointed by the Board. I was part of that team. Together, we sought, struggled, discussed, debated, and finally clarified and responded to what the Spirit of God was saying. This is not Dale Salico’s vision. It is God’s vision for Transformation Ministries. Therefore, the person called to this position must recognize a convergence between the vision of Transformation Ministries and God’s calling on his or her life. Anyone who cannot be committed to this vision is not the one God is calling as Mission Lead.
Third, some feel that my face has become the “face of Transformation Ministries,” and that for me to leave during this critical transition would undermine the loyalty of our churches. The last thing I want to do is to weaken this ministry for which I have given so much for so many years. The Bible tells us that the handiwork of God reveals His glory and wisdom. Migrating geese fly in a v-shaped formation that gives aerodynamic lift to the entire flock. The lead goose, however, bears the greatest atmospheric resistance and eventually becomes fatigued. Geese have learned that for the good of the entire flock, it is necessary occasionally for the lead goose to drop back in the formation and allow a fresh bird to take the lead.
I believe we are at such a time for Transformation Ministries. A fresh lead is needed for the good of the entire flock. If remaining in a part-time and supportive role would help Transformation Ministries achieve its mission I will be happy to do so. Because of my convictions regarding the nature of leadership in the body of Christ, I have valued the discernment and gifts of staff, board members, pastors and church leaders, recognizing that the Holy Spirit often speaks through the people of God. These convictions also make me willing and able to support the leadership of others toward the mission God has given us. Transformation Ministries has never been Dale Salico’s story. It is God’s story.
Very early in my leadership of Transformation Ministries, I fell in love with the pastors and churches here. It felt like we became one in heart and in mind. I served not out of duty, but love. Despite all its challenges, I loved and continue to love this ministry, the staff with whom I serve, and the countless brothers and sisters in Christ in churches who have become friends. I thank God for bringing me to Transformation Ministries, and I trust Him to continue to lead all of us in the days ahead.
Sincerely,
Dale V. Salico
Our Next Horizon
By Dr. Dale V. Salico
Transformation Ministries is on a journey. Having received the baton from forerunners in the faith, we travel the road God has laid out before us. As one horizon follows another, a vision fulfilled is followed by new vision leading us continually farther and deeper in our Lord’s purpose for us.
Emerging from a year of self-assessment and spiritual discernment involving over 500 pastors and leaders, the compelling panorama of our next horizon has gripped our hearts. The vision of Transformation Ministries has grown richer, deeper, and clearer. Read on . . .
The Context of Vision
By Dr. Dale V. Salico
“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, ”who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” Revelation 1:8
Four chapters of the Bible bookend all of human history. Genesis 1 and 2 describes the paradise from which humanity fell, and Revelation 21 and 22 portrays the paradise to which the redeemed will be restored. The rest, they say, is history! From a Biblical perspective, the rest is the story of God redeeming a people for Himself, and of a community traveling toward the ultimate and glorious future God planted in their hearts.
Reading that story, we learn of leaders who realized clearly that things were not as they should be. Moved by a holy discontent these individuals saw a better possibility and rose to action. A vision from God had taken hold of their hearts. Read on . . .