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Pastoral Transition Updates

Welcome to our PNC Updates Page

The Pastoral Nominating Committee (PNC) is committed to providing the most current information regarding our Senior Pastor Search process, status, and timeline.

June 2022 Update

Dear Covenant Partners,

It has been several months since our last update, and we want to share the progress on the search for our next senior pastor. Your Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) continues to meet at least once a week to prayerfully handle the process of recruitment and discernment. Although we are unable to share details due to the confidentiality required in a search like this one, we continue to follow the process defined when our committee was formed and remain confident that we will meet our target date of January 2023. It has been a blessing for each member of this committee to serve, and we look with excitement to the future as we meet candidates who have a passion for Jesus and His church.

Scripture tells us that we are to wait upon the Lord so that we can renew our strength and mount up with wings as eagles. As we embrace that image, we ask for your continued prayers to undergird our committee and for the person that God will call to serve our church.

Blessings,
FPC Pastor Nominating Committee

Previous Search Updates

July 2021 Update
August 2021 Update
March 2022 Update

Pastoral Nominating Committee

Cindy Cook

Chris Derden

Dade Dowdle

Sabrina Espinoza

Houghton Hutcheson

Janet Lionberger

James Melcher

Sam Murray

Fred Robertson

Claudia Stewart

Pastoral Transition Milestones

Pastoral Transition Milestones
Denomination

For those who have been at FPC for more than a few years, you may have witnessed prior pastor searches. Our transition to ECO, A Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians, in 2016 included a change in how we approach many things. The process of searching, screening, and selecting a new pastor is one of those changes.

While there are similarities in the process to call a new pastor, things that will look different this time include:

  • ECO allows for the direct handoff (succession) of the next installed pastor without the requirement of an interim pastor. In our prior denomination, the search process could not begin until the current pastor resigned and an interim was installed, lengthening the process and creating an extended time of uncertainty.
  • ECO allows for the consideration of internal candidates who follow the same process as an external candidate. This was previously not allowed.
  • ECO allows a PNC established by the congregation to partner with Session. 
Recruiting Firm
In preparation for this search, The Dingman Company was selected to manage the recruiting process in partnership the Pastor Nominating Committee.

The Dingman Company was selected from a long list of search firms, four of which formed the final shortlist. Representatives from each were interviewed, and all were clearly qualified and experienced professionals with long tenure in their field. Dingman was ultimately selected because of their track record finding and placing Christian leaders into complex and challenging roles, including senior, seminary presidents, and non-profit CEOs.  
Understanding the Role of Senior Pastor
Did you know that in ECO churches, Called Pastors are not employees of the church they serve? They are actually called by the congregation and installed by the presbytery. Once installed, Called Pastors become employees of the denomination, voting members of the presbytery, and moderators and voting members of the Session. The Senior Pastor participates in an annual review of goals and accomplishments with the Senior Clerks of Session.
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