On August 23, 2009 the congregation approved the search for an Associate Pastor, and elected 11 people to form an Associate Pastor Nominating Committee, "APNC".  Our most critical need is an ordained pastor to share the preaching responsibilities for our two sets of concurrent services, with a primary role in the Contemporary Services.  The position responsibilities remain open-ended so that the candidate’s other gifts for ministry might be considered for a fit within Westminster’s staff design. In addition to preaching, a candidate could be gifted in teaching, outreach ministries, pastoral care, or other areas which would fulfill needs within our ministries.

September:   The first task of the APNC is to develop a Church Information Form - known as the "CIF".  A CIF is the church's own "resume" of its work, its ministry and a description of the position and the skills and characterstics we're seeking. After the CIF is developed it must be approved by Session. After approval by Westminster's Session, the document needs to be approved by Donegal Presbytery, Committee on Ministry.

October:The CIF, was approved by Session, and then submitted, and subsequently approved by the Donegal Presbytery, Committee on Ministry. The CIF was posted on the Presbyterian USA website on October 28, 2009. Also during October, the APNC develeped an advertisement, which was placed in Presbyerian Outlook's magazine and website. Within days of being posted, the APNC received information from over 40 candidates.

November: The team was be busy during November, reviewing candidates' written information which is a called a PIF, Personal Information Form.

December 2009/January 2010: Over 100 PIF's have been reviewed.  

A wide diversity of candidates have expressed interest. The list includes:

•  Local (tri-state region), national, and a few international
•  Over 90% ordained PCUSA or candidates for ordination, a few from other denominations
•  Experience levels are very broad, 0 - 35 years, small and larger church  experiences
•  Educational backgrounds includes some Phds
• All express a passion for sharing the love of Jesus Christ.  

From this list of talented pastors, the APNC narrowed the list down to those who were more closely alligned to our needs. We have reviewed approximately 30 sermon Audio/Video tapes, and have begun to schedule phone interviews. 

February 2010:  Though the winds of winter howled and snow drifts filled our communities, the search for a new associate pastor continued to gain momentem. During the month of February interviews were conducted with four additional candidates, bringing the total up to seven for first round conversations. This  truly is a new age, as we interview candidates via Skype technology enabling the entire committee to be engaged with candidates from as far away as Oregon.  Not only do we have conversation, but we also see the candidate in action. In addition, many sermons can now be easily accessed on-line.  One wonders how difficult it must have been to conduct searches prior to the new age technologies.  

March holds further promise as we anticipate doing sermon visitations. Committee members will travel to other churches to get a sense of the candidate's presence and voice, often in their home church setting. Though we continue to be open to additional candidates, we clearly are advancing in the process. The pieces of the puzle are starting to reveal several viable candidates and we  will continue to look to God's guidance in finding the best match for pastor and church alike.

          Draft Timeline of Search Process

          Advertisement

The APNC welcomes your input!  If you have a candidate to recommend, if you have questions or suggestions, please email us. 

            email address:  APNC@westminsterpc.org