Future of The Ridge
After almost 40 years of faithful and loving service to our church, city, and community, our beloved Pastor Tim Haring will be stepping down from his role as senior pastor on October 1, 2024. We are grateful for his obedience to God's calling when he moved from Columbus to Morgantown to start Chestnut Ridge Church in 1985.
After much prayer and discussion, Pastor Tim and our Board of Trustees have selected Pastor Josh Rhodes to lead us into the future as a church family! Pastor Josh has been an integral part of The Ridge for the last 13 years and is eager to build on the foundation God has used Pastor Tim to lay down for us!
After much prayer and discussion, Pastor Tim and our Board of Trustees have selected Pastor Josh Rhodes to lead us into the future as a church family! Pastor Josh has been an integral part of The Ridge for the last 13 years and is eager to build on the foundation God has used Pastor Tim to lay down for us!
To learn more about this transition and what it means for our church, you can watch the video below to hear from Pastor Tim, Pastor Josh, and Terry McMillen, chairman of our Board of Trustees. We’ll be sharing more throughout the next year and hope you'll join us in prayer, giving thanks for the past and looking with excitement towards the future!
FAQs
Send Tim a Message
What is happening?
After helping to start Chestnut Ridge Church nearly 40 years ago, Pastor Tim has decided to transition from his position as Senior Pastor, and “pass the baton” on to Josh Rhodes.
Why the transition now?
Tim believes it is the right time personally and for his family to make the change. This transition has been a well thought out process with considerable prayer and discussion. The Board began to anticipate a transition nearly four years ago, and for the past two years the Board has prayed over and prepared for it.
When is the transition taking place?
Tim will continue to serve as the Senior Pastor during the coming year, and will be working intensively with Josh to help prepare him for his new role, which he will assume October 1, 2024.
Why was Josh chosen for this role?
Josh embodies the heart and vision of Chestnut Ridge Church. He grew up as pastor’s kid in the northern panhandle town of Weirton and loves all things West Virginia — pepperoni rolls, state parks, and Mountaineer sports. He has been married to his high school sweetheart, Hillary, for 17 years and they have four children — Sephora, Levi, Pierce, and Micah — and a Labrador Retriever, Cupcake.
Over the last 16 years of full-time ministry here at The Ridge, and with LCBC Church in Pennsylvania, Josh has served in several pastoral roles in student, college, and adult ministries, as well as regularly preaching and serving on senior leadership teams. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Biblical Studies and Pastoral Ministry from Lancaster Bible College in 2005 and a Master of Theology from Biblical Theological Seminary in 2014. In addition, Josh completed the Ridge ordination program and was affirmed as an ordained elder/pastor in September 2020.
Will the transition change the vision of the church?
No. Chestnut Ridge Church will continue to be an inviting church that leads people into a growing relationship with God and others. However, it is important to realize that Josh and Tim are different from one another, and Josh will bring new gifts to the role that will strengthen the church.
Will Tim still be involved in the church after the effective transition date?
After September 30, 2024, Tim will pull back from his responsibilities and attendance at the church for a period of six months to provide an opportunity for Josh to lead without him being present. After those six months, the plan is for Tim to return in a different capacity on a part-time basis. Tim will serve as a mentor/coach for Josh and be available to speak as needed and provide other pastoral duties. Tim still views Chestnut Ridge Church as his church in the same sense as you view The Ridge as your church.
How will we celebrate?
Stay tuned! We will have appreciation events celebrating Pastor Tim and his wife and their faithful service to The Ridge.
What can I do?
The church belongs to Jesus (Matthew 16:18, Colossians 1:17-18). He is in full control. Our role is to continue to pray and seek His direction for Chestnut Ridge Church, and to remain unified (1 Corinthians 1:10, Romans 15:5-6).
What about __________?
As more questions come in, we will update this page, but we know there are questions that go beyond the scope of this format. Please email any questions to transition@theridge.church.
After helping to start Chestnut Ridge Church nearly 40 years ago, Pastor Tim has decided to transition from his position as Senior Pastor, and “pass the baton” on to Josh Rhodes.
Why the transition now?
Tim believes it is the right time personally and for his family to make the change. This transition has been a well thought out process with considerable prayer and discussion. The Board began to anticipate a transition nearly four years ago, and for the past two years the Board has prayed over and prepared for it.
When is the transition taking place?
Tim will continue to serve as the Senior Pastor during the coming year, and will be working intensively with Josh to help prepare him for his new role, which he will assume October 1, 2024.
Why was Josh chosen for this role?
Josh embodies the heart and vision of Chestnut Ridge Church. He grew up as pastor’s kid in the northern panhandle town of Weirton and loves all things West Virginia — pepperoni rolls, state parks, and Mountaineer sports. He has been married to his high school sweetheart, Hillary, for 17 years and they have four children — Sephora, Levi, Pierce, and Micah — and a Labrador Retriever, Cupcake.
Over the last 16 years of full-time ministry here at The Ridge, and with LCBC Church in Pennsylvania, Josh has served in several pastoral roles in student, college, and adult ministries, as well as regularly preaching and serving on senior leadership teams. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Biblical Studies and Pastoral Ministry from Lancaster Bible College in 2005 and a Master of Theology from Biblical Theological Seminary in 2014. In addition, Josh completed the Ridge ordination program and was affirmed as an ordained elder/pastor in September 2020.
Will the transition change the vision of the church?
No. Chestnut Ridge Church will continue to be an inviting church that leads people into a growing relationship with God and others. However, it is important to realize that Josh and Tim are different from one another, and Josh will bring new gifts to the role that will strengthen the church.
Will Tim still be involved in the church after the effective transition date?
After September 30, 2024, Tim will pull back from his responsibilities and attendance at the church for a period of six months to provide an opportunity for Josh to lead without him being present. After those six months, the plan is for Tim to return in a different capacity on a part-time basis. Tim will serve as a mentor/coach for Josh and be available to speak as needed and provide other pastoral duties. Tim still views Chestnut Ridge Church as his church in the same sense as you view The Ridge as your church.
How will we celebrate?
Stay tuned! We will have appreciation events celebrating Pastor Tim and his wife and their faithful service to The Ridge.
What can I do?
The church belongs to Jesus (Matthew 16:18, Colossians 1:17-18). He is in full control. Our role is to continue to pray and seek His direction for Chestnut Ridge Church, and to remain unified (1 Corinthians 1:10, Romans 15:5-6).
What about __________?
As more questions come in, we will update this page, but we know there are questions that go beyond the scope of this format. Please email any questions to transition@theridge.church.