A Gathering of Servant


Leaders Workshop equips people engaged in ministry


As part of an ongoing continuum of leadership development at First Presbyterian, members and friends who are engaged in the church’s ministries gathered October 17 for a workshop on Christian discipleship. Through presentations and small group exercises, FPCA people who serve on various boards and teams or otherwise participate in God’s work addressed how we reorient our community of faith to live God’s love in the way of Jesus Christ.


Bill Townsend, elder for Leadership and Team Development, who organized and facilitated the event, emphasized in opening remarks that you don’t have to head a team to spearhead God’s work in the world. All who serve in ministry can consider themselves leaders in various ways.


PNC UPDATE


At the leadership gathering, Pastoral Nominating Committee co-chair Pete Dent provided an overview of the team’s actions to the extent he was able, given the Presbyterian Church’s requirement that PNC deliberations be independent and confidential to foster a spirit-led process.


Believing that God will bring forward the right candidate in God’s time, not ours, the group has imposed no arbitrary cutoff for applications. As of the October 17 leadership workshop, the church had received approximately 70 applications and conducted 20 phone interviews. Second and third interviews of some candidates have taken place by phone and video conference.


The PNC meets at least weekly and is focused on finding the best person, not filling a position in a certain time frame. The search is national and being conducted through multiple channels in a highly competitive environment. Prospective candidates have commented on our church’s exciting ministries and strong leadership, as evidenced by an experienced pastoral staff and the willingness of our Session to make difficult decisions in the absence of a lead pastor.


Above: Pam Weiss discusses the meaning of discipleship and the importance of transformation, often through relationships and difficult experiences.


Left: Participants discuss questions in break-out groups at tables. 6


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