The Rev. Rick Carlson, former president of the Ocean City Tabernacle
The Ocean City Tabernacle accepted the resignation of its president, the Rev. Rick Carlson, as of Oct. 31, according to Todd Chamberlain, chairman of the Tabernacle Association Trustees.
"The Tabernacle board thanks him for his service and wishes him all the best going forward," Chamberlain said.
The Tabernacle is an interdenominational center for worship and events that dates back to the founding of Ocean City as a Christian retreat. It remains a vital part of the business, social and religious community on the island, and it provides many community services.
Reached on Friday morning, Carlson said that the board informed him that his "gifts and talents did not match their mission."
He said the board found no specific area of concern or any sort of wrongdoing.
"It was a matter of direction," he said.
Carlson said he was sad to leave Ocean City, and that "the staff of the Tabernacle is amazing."
He spoke as he was driving to Minnesota with a U-Haul trailer in tow. His children live in the Minneapolis area, and he said he will look for his next opportunity from there.
"Coaches come and go," he said.
Chamberlain said the Tabernacle has retained Paula Bender as interim president/CEO and that the search for a new president is ongoing.
"The Tabernacle remains committed to its core mission of bringing exemplary summer speakers to the Ocean City community," Chamberlain said. "We continue to enjoy success in our other ministries, including the Son Club After School program, which recently expanded to include kindergarten and first grade (previously it started in 2nd grade.) More than 200 local families with children in grades K-8 participate in the daily after-school program."
The Tabernacle named Carlson as successor to Richard Stanislaw in September 2013, and he took over when Stanislaw retired in December.
An ordained minister who had lived and worked in Minnesota and Florida, Carlson came to Ocean City with his wife, Pat. The Carlsons have two grown children, Kyle and Kelsey.
The selection of Carlson came after a nine-month nationwide search. He had worked most recently with Faith Covenant Church in St. Petersburg, Fla.
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