Pulpit Committee Begins the Pastoral Search Process

Contributed by Nancy Day and Carl Ede

On September 13, 2009, TNPC held a called Congregational meeting to elect a Pulpit Committee from the ballot of member-nominated candidates who agreed to serve.  Ten people were elected by the church: Joel Aguilar, Tony Anthony, Mike Boling, Nancy Day, Carl Ede, George Hanson, Paula Heston, Sandy Hotz, Tom Kistner, and Doug Pollock.  With a sober sense of the task before us, and with a spirit of anticipation, the Pulpit Committee met Wednesday, September 16 - just 3 days after being elected by the congregation.  Pastor Pete Deison arranged to have Boots Nowlin, the former moderator of the PCPC (Park Cities Presbyterian Church) Pulpit Committee, come to share that church's experience with us. What a blessing to hear his godly insight and encouragement for the task ahead!  He remembered that, when their committee first got together, they did not know exactly what to do or how to begin.  Therefore, they decided to spend a lot of time praying.  Similarly, Pastor Pete encouraged our committee not to get in a hurry, but to take the time to prayerfully seek the Lord's guidance in all we do.  The search process typically takes a year or more.  The first step in this process is to create a list of qualifications for ministerial candidates.  He suggested having the officers of the church complete a survey listing qualities they felt would be important for a new pastor, and to seek input from the congregation - including ALL age groups therein.  Mr. Nowlin commented that some of their best leads came from the congregation.

Furthermore, Mr. Nowlin reminded the committee that our job is not to look for a pastor that fits the particular taste of an individual or group, but rather to look for the pastor who is best for the church as a whole. He wisely noted that it is difficult to clearly define what you want in a pastor, but with time, "you will know it when you see it".  Mr. Nowlin assured us that through the process of praying, discussing, listening, searching, interviewing, evaluating, and more praying, the Lord will bring more and more understanding of the type of candidate that will be right for TNPC.  Once a list of candidates is assembled, the committee will begin the time consuming tasks of listening to hundreds of sermons, making evaluations, and conducting telephone interviews with the candidates.  Moreover, the committee will be interviewing persons who can give candid assessments of the strengths and weaknesses of various candidates. The committee has named Carl Ede as moderator and will meet on Wednesday nights as needed.  Please pray earnestly and continually for this committee.  Pray that they may discern God's plans in the search for a new Senior Pastor. Pray for clarity, focus of mind, and a sense of unity as they seek to find the man that God has chosen for this church.  Finally, continue to pray for Pastor Pete as he provides godly advice and counsel to this committee.

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